Extension
It Starts With Us
Crop and Livestock Production, Gardening and Horticulture, and Local Food Systems
Increasing Agricultural Literacy
Chadwick, Flowers, Hogancamp
4-H Volunteer Programming
Local Food Systems
Grain Crops
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, tied with Oklahoma as the 4th ranking state in the number of farms (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). The average farm size in Kentucky is 164 acres, compared to the national average of 421 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). Between 2007 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease any state in the country (Census of Agriculture, 2012). A farm is defined by the United States government as “any place that produced and sold, or normally would produce and sell, $1,000 or more of agricultural products during the census year.” While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that it makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the commonwealth. The top agricultural products produced on Kentucky farms are changing. In 2012, the Top 10 agriculture products in Kentucky were: Broilers, Corn, Horses & Mules, Soybeans, Cattle & Calves, Tobacco, Dairy Products & Milk, Wheat, Hay and Chicken Eggs (United States Department of Agriculture – Kentucky, 2012).
The Carlisle County 4-H Council, the Carlisle County Agricultural Advisory Council, and the Carlisle County Extension Council all identified increasing agricultural literacy as a programming priority for Carlisle County Extension. According to the CEDIK Agriculture and Food County Profile for Carlisle County, in 2012, Carlisle County had 325 farm operations on 98,620 acres, which represented 81.3% of total county land. In comparison, Kentucky’s farm operations made up 51.6% of the state’s total land area, and U.S. farm operations made up 40.5% of total land area in the country. As a result, the agricultural industry is important to the economy and people of Carlisle County.
- Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
- Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H.
- Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
- Community will see an increase in the number of vendors, variety of local food products, sales and/or profits at farmer’s markets, road side stands, or community supported agriculture.
- Community will see increased access to local foods in restaurants, retail outlets, school and other institutions.
- Producers will maintain or increase consumer confidence/demand in local foods.
- Producers will maintain or increase economic stability of farm operations.
- Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
- Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability.
- Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
- Youth will set a goal and accomplish it.
- Youth can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products.
- Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
- Consumers will purchase local food and food products.
- Consumers will advocate for local food producers.
- Producers will adopt usage of new technology for production.
- Producers will use diagnostic services to enhance production decision-making.
- Producers will adopt one or more production management recommendations.
- Producers will implement on-farm trials.
- Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
- Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
- Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, recordkeeping,
leadership and service.
- Consumers will identify/ locate local food producers and processors.
- Consumers will explain local food needs and purchasing procedures (i.e. quantity, quality, deliver, etc.).
- Consumers will purchase local food and food products.
- Consumers will advocate for local food producers.
- Producers will increase awareness of current land grant research concerning production.
- Producers will increase understanding of production regulations.
Initial Outcomes:
Indicator: Written or verbal acknowledgement of increased awareness and knowledge related to agricultural literacy and practices
Method: Pre-/post-tests, observation, participation
Timeline: After programming opportunities
Intermediate Outcomes:
Indicator: Change in behavior or practice related to agriculture
Method: Pre-/post-tests, observation, participation, self-reporting, number of Kentucky Proud producers, local agriculture statistics, production outcomes
Timeline: After programming opportunities
Long-term Outcomes:
Indicator: Long-term results stemming from changes in behavior or practice related to agriculture sustained over time
Method: 4-H project participation, youth employment after high school, local agriculture sales and production statistics and outcomes, community statistics
Timeline: 2016-2020
Audience: 3rd grade youth
Project or Activity: Adventures in Agriculture Day
Content or Curriculum: Soils, crops, livestock, horticulture, 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum, Ag in the Classroom
Date: Spring 2020
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Go, Grow, Garden project
Content or Curriculum: Home Gardening Extension publication, 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum
Date: Spring and Fall 2019-2020
Audience: Women of Carlisle County
Project or Activity: Women in Agriculture
Content or Curriculum: Extension agriculture information and publications
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: Agricultural producers
Project or Activity: Winter Ag Conference
Content or Curriculum: Production agriculture information
Date: Winter 2020
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Gardening Club
Content or Curriculum: Junior Master Gardener
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: Youth ages 9-18
Project or Activity: Dog Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Dog curriculum
Date: 2019-2020
Inputs:
Agents
Agribusinesses
Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Carlisle County Conservation District
Producers
Carlisle County Road Department/Fiscal Court
USDA Farm Service Agency
Carlisle County Schools
Extension volunteers
Specialists
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Grain Crops
Palmer Amaranth Field Day With over 100,000 seed per plant produced by Palmer Amaranth this weed is a serious threat to crop production in the four river counties. On July 16, 2019 in Fulton County Carlisle, Hickman and Fulton counties hosted the Palmer Amaranth Field Day. Even in the pouring rain producers ventured out to participate. Research plots with current and new herbicides on tolerant soybean varieties were planted and sprayed. Travis Legleiter UKY weed spec
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Grain Crops
WAVE AGThe Ag Day event, WAVE River Counties AG Day, was held at Columbus Belmont State Park in Hickman County on July 18 from 7:30 am until noon. The theme “Lets Grow With It” was once again the theme for the day. 83.53% of the land in the four river counties is used for crop production, agriculture holds a strong presence in Carlisle County. With a 1 billion dollar impact and $359,967,000 sold across 960 farms WAVE AG Day is to highlight agriculture in Ballard, Carlisle,
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Beef
According to the 2017 Ag Census, over 38,000 farms in Kentucky have beef cattle and over 64,000 head in the western counties of Caldwell, Calloway, Crittenden, Carlisle, Livingston, Lyon, and Marshall Counties. Cattle producers have experienced market volatility the past few years. The KY Department of Ag Livestock and Grain Market Report shows 2019 prices below the five year average in many cattle categories. To address this volatility and showcase ways to improve profitability, specialists fro
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Grain Crops
Farm Bill Choices Carlisle County farmers like other farmers were trying to decide which farm bill options would give them the most revenue protection. As a result of Extension meetings producers were able to increase their knowledge on the Farm Bill sign-up options. Before the meeting 44% of the producers surveyed had a low level of knowledge about their choices. After the meeting 90% felt they gained a high level of knowledge about the farm bill options. Of the producers attending the me
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: Beef
Bull Assessment With 73 % of Carlisle County in Farms we decided to help beef producers with bull buying options. Buying the right bull can effect herd profitability. In order to improve beef herd management two meetings were held with Carlisle,Calloway, Marshall, and Livingston. The beef specialist discussed bull traits and balance need to pass on a good quality calf. In the second meeting producers were given bull statistics, a scenario of a cattle herd and they had to b
Author: Chuck Flowers
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
There is a first time for everything. After the dog club had worked so hard their first year, I asked our 4-H agent about the idea of having a dog show. Since we do not have students showing cattle or hogs we approached the local fair board. In conjunction with the fair board and 4-H we planned the first Carlisle County 4-H dog show. Categories were set up and prizes were arranged so students could receive a reward for their hard work and showing ability. By participating
