Extension
It Starts With Us
Increasing Ag Awareness in Youth
Agriculture/Horticulture
Henderson, Wimberley, Wooley, Osborne, Smith, ANR
4-H Volunteer Programming
Arts Engagement
4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
Community Strategic Planning
Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, tied with Oklahoma as the 4th ranking state in the number of farms (National Agriculture Statistics Service, 2012). The average farm size in Kentucky 164 acres, compared to the national average of 421 acres (National Agriculture Statistics Services, 2012.) Between 2000 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease of 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 agriculture products during the census year. While KY 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 our daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the Commonwealth. The top agriculture products produced on Kentucky farms are changing. In 2012, the top 10 agriculture products were: broilers, corn, horses and mules, soybeans, cattle and calves, tobacco, dairy products and milk, wheat, hay and chicken eggs (USDA-KY, 2012).
In order to provide agricultural education to youth, counties will either plan and conduct an Ag Day Program, designed to educate participants on the value of agriculture to Kentucky’s economy and the impact that agriculture has on their daily lives or teach Ag in the Classroom to elementary school students.
• 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 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.
• 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, record- keeping, leadership and service.
Initial Outcome: The number of youth who learn a skill by participating in a 4-H ANR project, program, event or activity.
Indicator: Number of youth enrolled in ag-related program
Method: Ag Day, Ag-related clubs and 4-H Ag Curriculum
Timeline: School year
Intermediate Outcome: The number of youth who demonstrate a skill that was learned and improved by participating in a 4-H ANR project, program, event or activity.
Indicator: Numbers of youth who demonstrate ag-related skills
Method: Ag Day, Ag-related clubs and 4-H Ag Curriculum
Timeline: School year: August to May
Long-term Outcome: Implementation of gained agricultural skills obtained through Extension services
Indicator: Number of youth who implement ag programs
Method: Ag Day, Ag-related clubs and 4-H Ag Curriculum, Entremanureship
Timeline: School calendar year
Audience: Youth 9 to 19 years of age
Project or Activity: Ag Day, Ag-related clubs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Ag Curriculum
Inputs: UK and KSU Agents, volunteers, Specialists
Date: Year 'round
Audience: Youth 9 to 19 years of age
Project or Activity: "Grow it, Eat it, Wear it"
Content or Curriculum: Agent-developed curriculum
Inputs: UK and KSU Agents, volunteers, Specialists
Date: Spring to Summer
Audience: Youth 9 to 19 years of age
Project or Activity: "Learn, Grow, Eat, and Go"
Content or Curriculum: Jr. Master Gardner Curriculum and Agent-developed curriculum
Inputs: UK and KSU Agents, volunteers, Specialists
Date: School Year
Audience: Youth 9 to 19 years of age
Project or Activity: "Vegetable Gardening"
Content or Curriculum: Agent-developed curriculum
Inputs: UK & KSU, Extension Agents, Volunteers & Specialists
Author: Kathryn Wimberley
Major Program: Community Strategic Planning
SITUATION:Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, tied with Oklahoma as the 4th ranking state in the number of farms (National Agriculture Statistics Service, 2012). The average farm size in Kentucky 164 acres, compared to the national average of 421 acres (National Agriculture Statistics Services, 2012.) Between 2000 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease of any state in the country (Census of Agriculture, 2012).
Author: Brittany Osborne
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
Creating the next generation of ag-aware citizens has been stressed as a priority for McCracken County 4-H. According to the Statistical Atlas, approximately 0.7% of those employed in McCracken County are employed in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industries. In response, McCracken County 4-H conducts the 4-H Country Ham Project annually. This project offers an opportunity for youth to engage in livestock education through the course of a program year as they dry cure two co
Author: Brittany Osborne
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
With family lifestyles getting busier and COVID19 closing many places and parks, it has put a strain on many families. According to Harvard Graduate School of Education, "studies show gardens support and encourage healthful eating as a key component of children's physical wellbeing, which can aid their academic and social success, too." Through the efforts of the McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service, families in McCracken County started their own vegetable gard
Author: Brittany Osborne
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
There’s been a deficit amongst the Paducah City Schools due to a limited amount of exposure to the field of Agriculture, outside of the Cooperative Extension Service. The McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service (MCCE), came together and planned to fill this gap by holding an Ag Day for Paducah City Schools. This idea took several years to materialize, but I’m proud to say our dream came true. All program areas of MCCE collaborated to deliver a high quality, hands on agricultur
