Extension
It Starts With Us
Support Community and Economic Development
Support Community and Economic Development
Amanda Sears, Brandon Sears, Aubrey Clark, Scott Darst
4-H Youth Development Programming
Ag Marketing
Commercial Horticulture - Crop Marketing
Thriving local economies, engaged leaders, active communities are critical to the development of strong families. Citizens with a healthy sense of community are vital to the positive economic development. (CEDIC, 2015). And, increased volunteer capacity is critical for the sustainability of community infrastructure.
Programming focused on marketing, support of local agricultural markets, assistance to small business owners, and participation in community fairs and festivals can support community and economic development. Through extension programming local citizens are engaged, educated, and empowered to address issues in their communities.
Youth will use their communication and leadership skills to serve as teen and adult leaders in their communities, community organizations, and as mentors for younger youth and will successfully enter the workplace and/or institution of higher learning.
Farmers realize increased profits due to expanded market opportunities.
Youth apply the skills learned in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community, set and achieve goals, and demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills.
Youth will adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future and gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action.
Farmers add value to their products and will develop new marketing outlets.
Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the decision-making process, learn skills need to communicate with others, and develop life skills. Youth will increase their knowledge about leadership and how to be an effective leader, team player and communicator.
Youth and adults will enter items in the county fair
Farmers attend programs through the Madison County Cooperative Extension Service focused on adding value to their products.
Outcome: Youth apply the skills learned in 4-H in other activities at home, school and in the community, set and achieve goals, and demonstrate leadership, teamwork and communication skills.
Indicator: Number of youth volunteering with community organizations, participating in community events, and entering items in the county fair.
Method: Observation of 4-H project work, 4-H Common Measures evaluations, and county fair entry records.
Timeline:Ongoing for project observations, July for County Fair entries
Outcome: Youth will adopt habits and skills that contribute toward employability in the future and gain skills in setting a goal and developing a plan of action.
Indicator: The number of youth who own their own business, complete a business plan and participate in events to sell their product or service.
Method:Evaluate the business plans and the amount of profit made
Timeline: Year round
Outcome: Residents exhibit in the county fair Floral Hall
Indicator: Number and quality of exhibits at the fair
Method: Number of exhibits at the county fair
Timeline: August
Outcome: Farmers add value to their products and will develop new marketing outlets.
Indicator: Increased number of participants in farmer’s markets, auctions, and contracts
Method: Survey farmer’s market managers and talk to growers
Timeline: yearly
Outcome: Farmers realize increased profits due to expanded market opportunities
Indicator: Increased number of consignors in hay auction, CPH 45 sales, and bred heifer sales
Method: Sale data and producer surveys
Timeline: annually
Audience: Youth Ages 5-18
Project or Activity: Madison County Fair Livestock Shows
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum, KDA Resources, County Fair Rules,
Inputs: Volunteer time, space, awards, premiums, Show tools and equipment, decorations, PA systems, others as needed
Date: July each Year
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Means Business
Content or Curriculum: Be the “E”
Inputs: 4-H Agent time, volunteer time, funding, curriculum, equipment, meeting space
Date: Annually
Audience: Madison County Fairgoers and Exhibitors
Activity: Madison County Fair Livestock Shows (Goat, Cattle, Horse, Poultry)
Content: State and County Fair guidelines/rules
Input: All agents and Madison County Fairboard members
Date: Annually, July
Audience: Madison County Residents, Homemakers, Youth
Activity: Floral Hall at the County Fair
Content: County Fair Catalog, Cultural Arts List
Input: Volunteers, Agents, Judges, Master Gardeners, fair guidelines, Homemakers
Date: Summer, annually
Audience: Madison County Producers
Activity: Scale Certification
Content: KDA guidelines
Input: KDA Regulatory Specialist, Horticulture Agent
Date: Spring
Audience: Madison County Farmer’s Market Participants and Producers
Activity: Micro processing
Content: UK
Input: Computer, UK Handouts, quizzes, FCS Agent
Date: every 3 to 4 years
Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
Activity: CPH-45 Feeder Calf Sales
Content or Curriculum: KDA and local sale committee guidelines
Inputs: ANR agent, KDA, KBN, Bluegrass Stockyards, and Madison County Beef Cattle Association
Date: Annually, December
Audience: Hay Producers
Activity: Regional Hay Auction
Content or Curriculum: Fair Board Auction Process/Rules
Input: ANR agent, Madison County Fair Board members, KDA mobile hay testing unit
Date: Annually, January
Author: Brandon Sears
Major Program: Ag Marketing
The annual Richmond CPH-45 feeder calf sale was held at the Bluegrass Stockyards of Richmond LLC on December 10th, 2019. With assistance from the KY Beef Network, KY Department of Agriculture, Bluegrass Stockyards of Richmond, and nearby Cooperative Extension Agents, the Madison County Extension ANR agent provided leadership and coordinated receiving cattle for the sale. The Madison County ANR agent made 30 different field inspections of cattle, provided two BQA trainings and gave ass
