Increasing Agriculture and Local Food AwarenessPlan of Work

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Daviess County CES

Title:
Increasing Agriculture and Local Food Awareness
MAP:
Increasing Agriculture and Local Food Awareness
Agents Involved:
Hardy, Heisdorffer, FCS Agent, Dunn, Potts
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
4-H Volunteer Programming
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Sustainable Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Accessing Nutritious Foods (general)
Situation:

People have misconceptions about the food consumed in the Unites States and the agricultural practices used to produce it. Fearmongering, marketing campaigns, social media catchphrases and coalitions of all food groups have increased the divide between research and value based decisions. Agricultural producers and food consumers are often at the front of discussions with friends, peers and community members in which the fact and fiction of food processes and agricultural practices are often blurred. Our role in cooperative extension is to provide the resources and information necessary for consumers to make informed decisions regarding the food items they select for their families and to also become aware of research based resources they can use in discussion with individuals motivated by values to discount the value of food resources available. Likewise, agricultural practices are often the focus of organizations and individuals either uninformed about modern agricultural technologies or motivated by other reasons to discount modern agricultural efficiencies. Our role in extension is to increase public awareness of modern agricultural practices and educate agricultural clientele on how to engage in conversation that supports their efforts.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Positive agricultural development and a healthier community by basing consumer food choices on dietary necessity rather than idealistic objectives. Consumption of local foods will increase and agriculture will be recognized for the economic importance for Daviess County while using environmentally conscious production practices. Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise. Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Clientele will implement purchasing decisions based on nutritional qualities. Agricultural clientele will recognize consumer trends in the market place and implement crop rotation to meet the specific demands. 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 set a goal and accomplish it.

Initial Outcomes:

Consumers will gain understanding of definitions and terms used in the food industry and in agricultural production. Producers and agricultural input suppliers will develop strategy to promote transparency in production and policy. Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, record-keeping and leadership. Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Clientele will learn about agricultural and food systems terminology and trends

Method: Survey Evaluation

Timeline: Summer 2020


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Community engagement based on increased food and agricultural awareness

Method: Observation

Timeline: 2020


Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Increased purchasing and sales of locally produced agricultural products

Method: Client and Vendor Surveys

Timeline: 2020/2021

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Families

Project or Activity: Ag appreciation night

Content or Curriculum: Friday after Five

Inputs: 4-H, ANR, Hort, local agriculture businesses

Date: August 2020


Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Food Science 101

Content or Curriculum: Animal Science Curriculum, KY Farm to School

Inputs: 4-H, FCS, ANR, Hort

Date: 2020-2021 School year


Audience: Adult Consumers

Project or Activity: Rooster Booster

Content or Curriculum: Understanding agriculture

Inputs: 4-H, FCS, ANR, Hort, Chamber of commerce

Date: February 2020


Audience: Adult Males

Project: Community Garden

Content or Curriculum: NEP Resources

Inputs: NEP Assistants, Ag Agent, FCS Agent, Horticulture Agent, Horticulture Technician

Date: Summer/Fall 2019, Spring 2020


Audience: Girls Inc Rolling Heights

Project: Harvest Owensboro Garden

Content or Curriculum: Jr. Master Gardener: Learn, Grow, Eat, Go!

Inputs: 4-H, ANR, Hort, SNAP-Ed assistant

Date: January - December 2019


Audience: General Public

Project: Ag Expo - Plate It Up KY Proud

Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up KY Proud

Inputs: GRA FCS Agents

Date: January 2020





Success Stories

Undergraduate Argentina Agribusiness Expirence

Author: Clinton Hardy

Major Program: Youth Engagement Leadership Program (YELP)

The Daviess County Extension Agent for Agriculture participated in a unique youth engagement program that provided an opportunity to reach young adult students of UK.  The responsibility was to convey first hand knowledge of production agriculture in Kentucky as it relates to international trade.  The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment conducted the Argentina Agribusiness Experience this past spring semester of which I served as a co-instructor, attending each of the schedule

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