Extension
It Starts With Us
Agriculture and Natural Resource Awareness and Practices
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sigmon, Whitson, Williams, Adkins, O'Bryan
Beef
Farm Management
4-H Volunteer Programming
4-H Health Core Curriculum
Understanding how daily choices can impact our environment is vital to conserving and preserving our natural resources and ensuring a healthy environment for present and future generations. In 2008, Kentucky ranked 18th in total energy consumption and 7th in energy consumption per capita. In 2010, the statewide household participation rate for all curbside garbage collection types was 86.6%. In 2010, Kentuckians recycled 35.7% of all municipal solid waste and 29% of common household recyclables. The average Kentuckian used 67 gallons of water per person per day. Established and new agriculture producers are looking for ways to increase farm income in order to help offset the increasing price of farm inputs, high land rent, and lower prices. It is important to educate producers on best management practices to: keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land and practice good animal welfare. Educational programs are targeted to assist our local extension agents to provide producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable. Due to the loss of traditional farming practices there has been a decline in the involvement of youth in agriculture. While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, including youth, about the importance of agriculture and its impact on their daily life, the local economy and environment. Negative publicity surrounding agriculture and agricultural practices is common place in today’s media fueling controversy and misconceptions. Producers need to be educated on positive strategies to deal with such negative publicity.
•Producers will increase profits by utilizing best management practices on their farms while maintaining sound environmental practices.
•Decrease the adverse effects of agricultural and homeowner pesticide usage on natural resources.
•Increase agricultural literacy levels among the general public and youth.
•Beef and forage producers will improve efficiency through better forage utilization and management.
•Producers begin to practice good farming operations management and build upon general farming skills.
•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.
•Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant
•sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
•Youth can communicate the importance of agriculture in Laurel County and understand the impact of agriculture on the economy, environment and society.
•Youth will consider careers in Agriculture, through the exposure to different Agricultural career options, increasing the number of youth in Agribusinesses.
•Producers will become agricultural advocates who address negative agricultural media and groups using logical research based information.
•Beef producers will increase profit by shortening the calving season, better recordkeeping and more uniform calves marketed.
•Producers will have a better understanding of Agricultural practices, there effects on natural resources.
•Producers will implement best management practices by increased use of soil testing.
•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 agriculture career 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
•Producers will apply best management practices to reduce improper use and excessive use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
•Producers will implement practices that conserve natural resources.
•Producers will learn best management practices as they pertain to protecting natural resources.
•Producers will learn techniques to increase profitability using better management practices.
•Producers will develop more knowledge of marketing opportunities.
•Youth will realize the importance of agriculture in our community and world. Youth will see how local agriculture contributes to their overall well-being. Youth will have an appreciation of how their food is produced.
•Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
•An increased number of 4-H youth will gain knowledge and skills in farming practices, livestock production, animal husbandry, and general agricultural practices.
•Youth will gain a better understanding of agriculture, production practices, job opportunities and the role of agriculture in the global economy.
Initial Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge regarding, management practices, natural resource conservation, agricultural literacy, techniques to increase profitability, and agricultural opportunities
Indicator: increased scores on post tests, surveys
Method: Formative evaluations, surveys, pre post tests, and participant interviews
Timeline: Following activities
Intermediate Outcome: Participants adopt implementing best management practices that conserve natural resources and increase profitability while reducing improper and excessive use of chemicals. Youth adopt and practice skills related to agricultural careers and entrepreneurship skills. Youth can explain role of agriculture in every day life
Indicator: increased use of soil test, insect and disease ID. producers increase the use of best management practices. Increased youth participation in programs related to agriculture and natural resources.
Method: Summative evaluations, surveys, questioners, personal interviews
Timeline: 6 months to 1 year
Long-term Outcome: Producers will increase profits by utilizing best management practices on their farms while maintaining sound environmental practices.
Decrease the adverse effects of agricultural and homeowner pesticide usage on natural resources. Increase agricultural literacy levels among the general public and youth.
Indicator: Census data, increased agricultural enterprises, increased younger participants in programs and leadership roles, increased agricultural producers in community leadership roles.
Method: personal interviews, statistics, delayed summative evaluations
Timeline: 2-5 years
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Animal Sciences
Content or Curriculum: 4-H livestock certification kit; 4-h project books
Inputs: local school system, volunteers, extension Agents and staff
Date: Sept-July
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: : 4-H Skill-A-Thon and Judging Clinics
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Certification Kit
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, KDA staff, volunteers, fair grounds, fair board, school systems
Date:September - July
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Laurel County Agricultural Fair
Content or Curriculum: 4-H and AG materials, community resources
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, volunteers, FFA Alumni, FFA, Fair Grounds, Fair Boards
Date: July
Audience: Youth
Activity: Feed A Bee Program
Content or curriculum: Feedabee.com, growingproduce.com
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, volunteers,
Date: April-May
Audience: Youth
Activity: 4-H Horse Club
Content or curriculum: 4-H Horse program curriculum
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, volunteers,
Date: Monthly: September - July
Audience: Youth
Activity: 4-H Eco Edventures Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: Project Wet, Project Wild, Science curriculum
Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff, volunteers
Date: yearly: August & September
Audience: Youth
Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Club
Content or Curriculum: Penn State Shooting Sports curriculum; UK resources
Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff, Volunteers
Date: February- September
Audience: Youth, Adults
Activity: Beekeepers Association
Content or curriculum: local beekeepers
Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff, Volunteers, Extension Office, UK specialists, KDA,
Date: monthly, March-October
Audience: Adults
Activity: Gardeners Toolbox Workshop Series
Content or curriculum: UK publications and specialists
Inputs: Extension Agents, staff, Extension Office, community garden, Extension specialists,
Date: monthly
Audience: Youth
Activity: Preschool Children's Community Garden
Content or curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: community garden, Son light preschool and daycare, Master Gardener Volunteers, Extension agents and Staff,
Date: May-October
Audience: Adults, Youth
Activity: Animal Health Demo
Content or curriculum: Extension
Inputs: WTA handling facility, Animals, volunteers, cattleman, Extension Agents and staff, FFA, School System
Date: seasonal (March and October)
Audience: General Public
Activity: Kiwanis Farm City Tour
Content or curriculum: local resources
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, Volunteers, local farm owners, farm industry, Kiwanis,
Date: Spring
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Reproduction Study Beef Cows
Content or Curriculum: UK Agricultural Specialists
Inputs: Cows, WTA handling facility, Farmers, Ky Beef Network
Date: Spring and Fall
Audience: Youth
Activity: FFA Livestock Club Programs
Content or Curriculum: School System
Inputs: School system, FFA, Extension Agents and staff, Volunteers, Livestock
Date: August - May
Audience: Adults Youth
Activity: Gardening 101
Contend or curriculum: UK publications, resources
Inputs: community garden, extension agents and staff, Specialists, Master Gardeners, Farm owners,
Date: April- August
Audience: Public
Activity: Local Foods Catalog
Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market and Master Gardeners
Input: Extension Agents and staff, Volunteers,
Date: Fall and Spring (yearly)
Audience:Youth
Activity: Youth Farm Field Days
Content or curriculum: UK publications, resources
Inputs: Extension agents and staff, Volunteers, farm owners, school systems
Date: spring, summer, fall
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Farm Pond Management Workshop
Content or curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, KSU specialists, farm owners, equipment rental
Date: Fall and Spring
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Farm Record book Workshop
Content or curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: Extension Agent and staff, farm record books and CD's, Volunteers, CPA,
Extension Office
Date: Winter
Audience: Adults
Activity: Community Garden
Demo and Teaching Garden
Content or curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, specialists, volunteers, community garden
Date: May-October
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Produce Best Management Training
Content or curriculum: KDA, UK
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, Extension office
Date: Spring
Audience: Adults
Activity: Integrated Pest Management
Content or curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, extension Office, Volunteers
Date: Spring
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Training
Content or curriculum: UK publications; Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, extension office,
Date: ongoing
Audience: Adults Youth
Activity: Urban Forestry
Content or curriculum: UK publications and specialists
Inputs: city of London, London tree Board, Extension Agents and staff, school system, Farmers Market
Date: February-March
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Pregnancy Check Clinic
Content or Curriculum: UK specialists and Agents
Inputs: Cows, Extension Agents and staff, WTA handling facilities, Cattleman, Volunteers
Date: Spring and Fall
Audience: Adults, Youth
Activity: Leadership Training Agricultural Advocate
Content and Curriculum: UK Agents, Farm Bureau
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, Media specialist, Farm Bureau, Volunteers
Date: Winter
Audience: Farmers
Activity: A.I. School
Content and Curriculum: UK specialists publications
Inputs: Cows, Specialists, WTA handling facilities, Volunteers Extension Agents and staff
Date: Fall and Spring
Audience: Farmers homeowners
Activity: Rinse and Return Program
Content and curriculum KDA and UK publications
Inputs: Extension agents and staff, KDA
Date: September
Audience: Youth adults
Activity: Beginning Beekeeping School
Content and curriculum: KSU and UK publications
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, KSU small farm agent, Extension office
Date: Fall and Winter
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Hemp production and establishment of receiving station
Content and curriculum: UK publications and research
Inputs: Extension Agents, GOAP, Altoa, Extension office
Date: Spring and Summer
Audience: Woodland Owners
Activity: East Ky Woodland Owners Shortcourse
Content and curriculum: UK publications, KY Foresty Dept., KY Fish and Wildlife, NRCS
Inputs: Extension Agents, KY Foresters, KY Fish and Wildlife Officers, NRCS Conservationists
Date: August
Audience: general public
Activity: Household Waste Management: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Content and curriculum: Household Waste Management: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Inputs: Extension Agents, City Recycling department
Date: ongoing using social media
Author: William Adkins
Major Program: Agritourism Planning
Local Agricultural Community Benefits from ExtensionThe annual Farm Industry Tour, organized and hosted by the Laurel County Extension Council, has become one of the most anticipated community events of the year. The purpose of the tour is to introduce community members to local industries that provide agricultural goods and services, educate participants on new and emerging crops, and encourage them to shop locally.The 2019 tour began at a local farm where 42 people boarded old-fashioned
Author: Victor Williams
Major Program: Beef
On December 17, 2019, four ANR agents, four University specialists and thirty-six producers from Laurel, Jackson, Clay, Knox, and Whitley counties came together for an entire day of profit increasing and cost cutting information to be used for their cattle operations. Producers learned how to manage overhead costs, manage the costs of hay production, understand the depreciation of breeding stock, improve winter feeding practices, determine correct stocking rates, and manage farm taxes.Producers
Author: Victor Williams
Major Program: Beef
On-farm studies provide an opportunity to build relationships with clientele while answering applied science questions. Beef specialist Dr. Lehmkuhler and Ben Crites contacted me about participating in a beef mineral study. An on-farm study involving eight counties, including Laurel County, teamed up Extension agents with producers to investigate cattle visitation to mineral feeders using the low-cost technology of game cameras. I worked with three different beef producers. Th
Author: Victor Williams
Major Program: Beef
Beef Quality Assurance TrainingThe growing general public’s discourse of livestock handling and beef quality was identified as a concern of the Laurel County Cattleman’s Association and the Laurel County Agricultural Advisory Council. The Laurel County Extension Service has offered the Beef Quality and Care Assurance (BQCA) Program in response to this concern. BQCA is a national training course developed by USDA and the beef industry. Through participation i
Author: William Adkins
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
From 2007 to 2012 the number of farmers in the U.S. decreased by 4.3%. The average age of a farm principal operator has increased by 8 years over the last thirty years and there was also a 23.3% decline in operators that had been on the farm for less than five years. This shows a decrease in the number of new farmers and especially young farmers.(USDA Census of Agriculture) Kentucky has also had the challenge of finding alternatives to the mass exodus of tobacco production over the last decade.
Author: William Adkins
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
Statement findings from the 2011 PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment) campaign indicated that many students in Laurel County were unaware of the effects of pollution on the environment, environmental resources, and the stewardship of those resources. When surveyed, local teachers, school officials, the Laurel County 4-H council and the Laurel County Extension Council, also identified environmental education as a valuable "need" for local youth. As a result of this
