Madison County CES

Title:

Increase Knowledge of Agriculture and Natural Resources through Education and Experience

MAP:

Increase Knowledge of Agriculture and Natural Resources through Education and Experience

Agents Involved:

Amanda Sears, Brandon Sears, Lisa Adams, Gina Noe, Scott Darst

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)

Situation:

People, animals and plants are dependent on Earth’s natural resources. Air, water and soil are all resources that are vital to our existence. It’s important to care for and respect these resources. By understanding how daily choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect the environment for present and future generations.

Every person in Kentucky is impacted by agriculture every day in the foods that they eat and the fibers that are used in their clothes, homes, workplaces and vehicles. As societies move away from the farms and from farming communities people become disconnected from the producers of the food and fibers that are necessities for daily life. (Project Food Land and People, 2007) (Acres of Adventure, 1999)

Long-Term Outcomes:

Youth will be better informed consumers, become advocates for agriculture, and know the importance of sustainable food systems.

Youth will complete farm and agriculture related projects which help them learn valuable life skills, communication skills, record keeping, showmanship, and product marketing.

Youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world.

Residents will gain an understanding of how daily choices can impact their environment. They will conserve and preserve natural resources for future generations

Citizens will become better stewards of the environment through an increase in knowledge, awareness, and recreation.

Create safe homes within environments that promote and support the physical and mental well-being of families throughout the life cycle
Citizens will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems

Homeowners will use less pesticides in their home and garden.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in their 4-H project work in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

Youth will be able to explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others, set personal goals and accomplish them, and will practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture.

Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability

Madison County residents will be more aware of and use more energy efficient and green products and practices
People implement one or more practices that will improve home safety and disaster preparedness
Residents will utilize best management practices, including selecting the best plants for the space and integrated pest management, in regards to their home and landscape

Residents will recognize the importance of agriculture to the community.

Initial Outcomes:

Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science. Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, communication, record-keeping, leadership and service.

Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in their 4-H project work in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.

They will be able to explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others, set personal goals and accomplish them, and will practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture.

Youth will develop an interest in environmental science and sustainable practices and technologies and identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.

Homeowners will learn about recycling, litter, and storm water.

Families will learn ways to help conserve soil, water, air, and energy.
Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and/or aspirations in understanding of issues related to: disaster preparedness, pest management, going green, energy conservation, solid waste management, water conservation, home safety, and the built environment.
Homeowners will understand the economics and environmental value of using best management practices in their lawn and garden.

Homeowners and farmers understand the importance of pesticide safety as it relates to themselves and the environment.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
Indicator: Number of participants in the Food and Farming Field Day event and the Percentage of correct/ favorable survey responses.
Method: Food and Farming teacher/ participant evaluation, observations, 4-H Common Measures Agriculture, Record Book evaluation
Timeline: At the end of the Food and Farming Field Day and ongoing with 4-H project work.

Outcome: Youth will become better stewards of the environment through an increase in knowledge, awareness, and recreation. Youth will gain knowledge of interrelationship and interdependencies with an ecosystem.
Indicator: Increased life skills (self-efficacy) among youth in NR, Improved NR skills (scientific methods) and knowledge (content areas) among youth
Method: Pretest and post test
Timeline: Annually

Outcome:Youth will develop an interest in environmental science and sustainable practices and technologies and identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.
Indicator:Number of youth who have gained an understanding of the ecosystems in nature and can identify the natural resources in their community.
Method: 4-H Common Measures—Natural Resources
Timeline: Annually


Outcome: Homeowners and farmers understand the importance of pesticide safety as it relates to themselves and the environment.
Indicator:Increase in number of PATIM certifications
Method: UK PATIM training materials database
Timeline:Annually

Outcome: Homeowners will understand the economics and environmental value of using best management practices in their lawn and garden.
Indicator: Homeowners will use less pesticides in their landscape
Method: Surveys after classes
Timeline: throughout year

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Youth in grades pre-K-2

Project or Activity: 4-H Butterfly Project
Content or Curriculum: Butterfly Hatching Kit from Carolina Biological, UK Butterfly Garden Publications, Dr. Seuss Butterfly Book, and The Hungry Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
Inputs: project supplies (food, butterfly housing net, Larvae, plants, soil, etc.), display materials, student information packets, copies, others as needed.
Date: March-May, Annually

Audience: Youth ages 5-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Project Activities and Contests
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum resources, Ohio State Horse Learning Labs, Storey’s Guides, Hippology and Horse Bowl Resources, and others.
Inputs: volunteer time, refreshments for meetings, meeting space, riding space, project supplies (vary depending on activity), display materials, member information packets, copies, others as needed.
Date: 1 to 3 meetings monthly, year round

Audience: Youth ages 5-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Project Activities and Contests
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum resources, Ohio State Livestock Learning Labs, Storey’s Guides, KDA Rules and resources, and others.
Inputs: volunteer time, refreshments for meetings, meeting space, hands-on lab and meeting space, project supplies (vary depending on activity), display materials, member information packets, copies, others as needed.
Date: 1 to 3 meetings monthly, October-May

Audience: Youth ages 5-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Poultry Project Activities and Contests
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum resources, Ohio State Livestock Learning Labs, Storey’s Guides, UK Poultry Publications, the Egg and I, Kentucky Poultry Federation materials, and others.
Inputs: volunteer time, refreshments for meetings, meeting space, hands-on lab and meeting space, project supplies (vary depending on activity), hatching and brooding supplies, quiz bowl materials and equipment, display materials, member information packets, copies, others as needed.
Date: 1 to 3 meetings monthly, year round

Audience: Youth in grades 3-5

Project or Activity: 4-H Embryology in the Classroom
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum resources, UK Poultry Publications, the Egg and I, and others.
Inputs: Incubators, Brooders (with chick care supplies), ova-scope and candlers, fertilized eggs, project supplies (vary depending on activity), display materials, student chick journals, copies, others as needed.
Date: 1 to 3 meetings monthly, year round

Audience: Youth in grade 3

Project or Activity: 4-H Food and Farming Field Day
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum resources, Acres of Adventures, resources from Ag in the Classroom, Ag Council, The Egg and I, and others.
Inputs: Community Partners, Volunteers, Extension Staff and Agents, location, project supplies (vary depending on activity), display materials, student journals, copies, others as needed.
Date: Annually in the fall

Audience: 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Environmental Education Overnight Camp
Content or Curriculum: Project Food, Land & People, Project WET, Project Learning Tree, and Entomology
Inputs: 4-H Agent time, volunteer time, funding, curriculum, equipment, meeting space
Date: Fall or Spring Annually



Audience: Youth ages 5-18

Project or Activity: School enrichment lessons
Content or Curriculum: Project Wet, Project Wild, Healthy Water Healthy People, Wildlife, Eco Adventures, Entomology
Inputs: 4-H agent, supplies, classrooms, equipment
Method: pretest and post test
Timeline: Annually


Audience: Youth 5-18

Project or Activity: Butterfly Life Cycle in the Classrooms & Butterfly gardens
Content or Curriculum: Project Butterfly Wings, UK pubs: Attracting Butterflies with Native Plants, varies
Inputs: classrooms, 4-H agents, supplies, classrooms, equipment
Method: pretest and post test
Timeline: Spring

Audience: Youth 9-18

Project or Activity: Live Stream or Wetland Study/Water quality
Content or Curriculum: Project Wet, 4-H Entomology, UK entomology
Inputs: stream, equipment, supplies, classrooms
Method: pretest and post test, results from biological and chemical testing
Timeline: Annually

Audience: 4th graders

Project or Activity: 4-H Goes Wild Environmental Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Project Wet, Project Wild, Healthy Water Healthy People, Wildlife, Eco Adventures, Entomology, Forestry, Water quality, Soils
Inputs: UK specialists, community partners, EKU students, 4-H agents
Method: teacher survey
Timeline: Spring

Audience: Madison County Residents

Activity: Free Soil Testing Program
Content: UK Regulatory Services
Inputs: ANR & HORT agents, office staff, UK Regulatory Services
Date: As needed, year round

Audience: Madison County Residents

Activity: Horticulture Workshops
Content or Curriculum: As supplemented by instructor
Inputs: land grant publications, horticulture agent, specialist
Date: throughout year

Audience: Madison County Residents
Activity: Local Farm Tour
Content or Curriculum: as supplemented by farmers
Input: Farms, farmer’s markets, agents, volunteers
Date: June

Audience: Madison County Residents
Activity: Articles, Social Media, Newsletters and display
Content: UK exclusives, posts and displays
Inputs: land grant publications, agent exclusives, Agents
Date: Year round

Audience: Madison County Residents
Activity: Diagnostic Services and Recommendations
Content: UK Extension Resources
Inputs: ANR and HORT agents, UK Extension Specialists and Resources
Date: On-going Year round

Audience: Madison County Residents

Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Training (PATIM)
Content: UK Entomology/PATIM/Pest IRM
Inputs: ANR agent, office staff
Date: March-April, Annually

Success Stories