Extension
It Starts With Us
Youth Involvement in Local Agrigriculture Programming
Youth Agriculture & Natural Resources
R. Ford
4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
4-H Youth Development Programming
People, animals and plants are dependent on our Earth's natural resources. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for food production-these resources are vital to our existence. Therefore, it's important that we care for and respect these resources. Understanding how our daily choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for present and future generations.
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). 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.
-Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
-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 make decisions in their daily lives that positively impact natural resources and agriculture.
-Youth will use problem solving and logical reasoning skill and apply them to environmental issues.
-Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
-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 will develop an interest in environmental sciences and sustainable practices and technologies.
-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 and understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
-Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communications, record-keeping, leadership and service.
Initial Outcome: Number of youth who demonstrate a skill that was learned and improved by participating in a 4-H ANR or Natural Resource project, program, event or activity. Start a 4-H Livestock Club.
Indicator: % increase in youth participating in county 4-H ANR & Natural Resource programs
Method: enrollment cards/participation attendance in programs
Timeline: throughout the year
Intermediate Outcome: Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
Indicator: Number of youth who set a goal and accomplish it through the 4-H Country Ham project.
Method: observation/survey/ham auction
Timeline: throughout the year
Long-term Outcome: Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H
Indicator: Number of youth who understands the role of agriculture in the production of food and fiber.
Method: Pre/post test, survey & observation
Timeline: throughout the year
Audience: Youth/Adults
Project or Activity: project (4-H Livestock Club)
Content or Curriculum: KY Livestock Volunteer Certification
Inputs: KY Farm Bureau, 4-H Council, Rowan County Extension Office
Date: throughout the year
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: activity (4-H Country ham project)
Content or Curriculum: KY Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Kit
Inputs: KY Farm Bureau, 4-H Council, Rowan County Extension Office
Date: throughout the year
Audience: Youth/Adults
Project or Activity: project
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Shooting Sports & shooting sports certification
Inputs: Rowan County Sharp Shooters, local businesses and agencies, NRA grant
Date: March - October
Audience: Elementary classrooms
Project or Activity: project (Butterfly Life Cycle)
Content or Curriculum: project butterfly wings
Inputs: Rowan County Cooperative Extension & Rowan County Schools
Date: April & May 2020
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: activity (Environmental Youth Day)
Content or Curriculum: Project WET, Project WILD
Inputs: Rowan County Cooperative Extension & Rowan County Schools
Date: Fall/Spring
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: activity (Gardening)
Content or Curriculum: Learn, Grow, Eat & Go! Junior Master Gardener
Inputs: Rowan County Schools, Morehead Parks & Recreation, Friends of Rodburn Park
Date: Spring & Summer
Author: Raven Ford
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
The 4-H Butterfly Project was a way for 4-H to instruct younger youth about life cycles. This was a very important curriculum for K-5 since it is one of the core areas for the state standards testing. The 4-H Butterfly project has been conducted for the last several years. This year the program was conducted virtually with 5 different 4th grade classrooms. The Rowan County Cooperative Extension Service provided project books and a teacher's guide for the participating classes. Each clas
Author: Raven Ford
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
Kentucky has much to offer in the way of Agriculture. Of Kentucky’s total acreage (25.4 million acres), over 50% (12.9 million acres) is farmland (NASS, 2019). Rowan County is the home to 356 farms operating on 23.6% of land in Rowan County. Kentucky farms produce a variety of agricultural products. The Rowan County Data Profile identified crop and livestock production as major components of the county agriculture production. To increase profits it is important for farms to be efficient an
