Sustainable Agriculture, Non-Traditional Agriculture, and Natural ResourcesPlan of Work

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Spencer County CES

Title:
Sustainable Agriculture, Non-Traditional Agriculture, and Natural Resources
MAP:
Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Bryce Roberts, Allison Lewis, Mollie Tichenor
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Farmer's Markets
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Chemical Crop Management Tools
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
4-H Volunteer Programming
Situation:

With the continued increase in population in Spencer County, we are seeing reduction of traditional farm land. We are noticing an increase in modern age agriculture, including sustainable and non-traditional. The Spencer County Extension Council and Agents realize that there is a definite need for programs and resources dealing with all types of agriculture.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Producers will increase their profits from their agricultural endeavors by incorporating new and improved production techniques. All residents of Spencer County will employ farm safety practices and procedures in their lives.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Producers will begin using improved variety of fruits and vegetables, new watering techniques, and increase the use of new marketing outlets. Families and youth begin to use safety practices.

Initial Outcomes:

Producers will learn how to properly grow and select varieties of fruit and vegetables. Youth will be able to identify proper animal husbandry and animal well being.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Farmers market participants will increase their net income.

Indicator: Increase in sales at local farmer’s market.

Method: End of market survey.

Timeline: November – January.


Outcome: Youth will practice and recognize proper animal husbandry techniques.

Indicator: Increase number of youth participating in livestock, dairy, and animal science programs.

Method: Observation.

Timeline: July - June.


Outcome: Producers will gain knowledge and apply proper skills in pesticide application.

Indicator: Pre/Post Test.

Method: Observation.

Timeline: November – February.


Outcome: Youth and adults gain knowledge in areas of nutrition, gardening and youth development.

Indicator: Increase in participation and awareness of Farmers Market.

Method:  Observation and number of volunteers, including 4-H Members, and Homemakers. 

Timeline: July-October, April-June.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Agriculture/Horticulture Producers, Families


Activity: Farmers Market (BR, AL, MT)

Content or Curriculum: GAP training, farmer’s market materials, Food Sampling

Inputs: Farm Bureau, Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Farmer’s Market Committee, and Community Volunteers.

Date: July-June


Activity:  Master Horsemen (BR)

Content or Curriculum:  UK Horse Information

Inputs:  UK Equine Specialists

Date:  November-December


Activity: Vegetable and Container Gardening (BR, AL, MT)

Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky, Container Gardening

Inputs: Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Volunteers, Multipurpose Community Action, Spencer County Soil Conservation District, Spencer Co. Library

Date: March - June


Activity: Pesticide Application Training (BR)

Content or Curriculum: Private application training and commercial applicator training

Inputs: Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Volunteers.

Date: November – February


Activity: Agriculture Field Day (BR)

Content or Curriculum: Production Methods, Water Quality, UK publications.  

Inputs: Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Community Volunteers, University of Kentucky CES.

Date: September – October


Audience: Youth

Activity: Livestock, Country Hams, and Dairy (MT)

Content or Curriculum: Animal science materials and approved curriculum.

Inputs: Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Farmer’s Market Committee, Spencer County FFA, Certified 4-H Livestock Club Leaders, Community Volunteers.

Date: July – June.


Activity: Farm Safety (AL, BR, MT)

Content or Curriculum: Small and large tractor safety materials and classes.

Inputs: Spencer County School System, Family Resource Youth Service Centers, Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Volunteers.

Date: July-June


Activity: Windowsill Gardens with all 6th graders (AL, BR, MT)

Content or Curriculum: Windowsill Garden Curriculum.

Inputs: Spencer County School System, Family Resource Youth Service Centers, Local Producers, Farmer’s Market Committee, Community Volunteers.

Date: April


Activity: Elementary Ag Day (AL, BR, MT)

Content or Curriculum: Teaching youth about local agriculture.

Inputs: Spencer County School System, Family Resource Youth Service Centers, Farm Bureau, Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Farmer’s Market Committee, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Spencer County FFA, Certified 4-H Livestock Club Leaders, Community Volunteers.

Date: September – October



Success Stories

Spencer County Farm to Table Event

Author: Bryce Roberts

Major Program: Farmer's Markets

Purchasing locally produced items continues to gain momentum and the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Service hosted our seventh annual Farm to Table Meal in September 2019 to highlight that healthy meals can be produced solely by products grown in Spencer County.  A committee made of members of all of the Extension Program councils worked with a well-known local chef and members of the Taylorsville Farmers Market to plan and host a 4 course Italian dinner.  All of the food prepare

Full Story

Spencer County Farm To Table

Author: Mollie Tichenor

Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources

Purchasing locally produced items continues to gain momentum and the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Service hosted our seventh annual Farm to Table Meal in September 2019 to highlight that healthy meals can be produced solely by products grown in Spencer County.  A committee made of members of all of the Extension Program councils worked with a well-known local chef and members of the Taylorsville Farmers Market to plan and host a 4 course Italian dinner.  All of the food prepare

Full Story

Spencer County Farm to Table

Author: Allison Lewis

Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture

Purchasing locally produced items continues to gain momentum and the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Service hosted our seventh annual Farm to Table Meal in September 2019 to highlight that healthy meals can be produced solely by products grown in Spencer County.  A committee made of members of all of the Extension Program councils worked with a well-known local chef and members of the Taylorsville Farmers Market to plan and host a 4 course Italian dinner.  All of the food prepare

Full Story

Spencer County Outdoor Educational Center

Author: Mollie Tichenor

Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources

Outdoor Education Center            After moving into our new educational facility in 2013, the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Council decided in 2017 to start the process of developing the 10 acres around our office.  In the spring of 2018, a University of Kentucky Landscape Architecture student used our facility as his senior project and he presented his ideas for the development at a council meeting later that spring.         

Full Story

Pavilion Projects to Go

Author: Bryce Roberts

Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture

Due to Covid-19, the Spencer County Extension Agents had to learn how to change our ideas on programming to reach our community.  FaceBook Live, FaceBook, and the office website have served as tools to make the Pavilion Projects To Go a huge success in Spencer County.Over 2,000 projects have been given to members of the community through the pavilion projects.  950 kits have been distributed to students through our partnerships with Taylorsville Elementary School, Spencer County Middle

Full Story
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