Johnson County CES

Title:

Selecting safe, energy efficient options; managing farm

MAP:

Environment and Safety

Agents Involved:

Cockerham and Jeffiers

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Arts and Community Health

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Chemical Crop Management Tools

Situation:

Energy inefficiency has become a deterrent to families being able to effectively manage their budgets. With rising costs of energy, aging homes, an elderly population, all combine to make a perfect storm of unbalanced costs of living when there are better options available.  Finding  affordable, energy efficient method of safe housing has become a strategy to also be able to manage the family budget more effectively. Keeping the environment safe has been an ongoing problem, Johnson County Agriculture Council has prioritized the safety for both farmers and the communities they live in, while the FCS Council has prioritized the development of energy efficient plans for safe, affordable homes for everyone.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Citizens will own safe, affordable, energy efficient homes, with a lower environmental footprint.

Pollution from farm operations is minimized.

Diverse strategies such as the use of Art will be use to address other areas of a home's health

Intermediate Outcomes:

Citizens will select energy efficient options and set new energy efficient and environmental standards for themselves.

Farmers utilize appropriate types, rates, and techniques with farm chemicals.

Families will have more artistic options available to them.

Initial Outcomes:

Citizens will learn about energy efficient methods of construction and remodeling.

Farmers understand pesticide action and the effect of pesticides on the environment.

Opportunities for artists will be increased.

Evaluation:

A.Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Citizens will have access to energy efficient homes, with a lower environmental footprint.

Method: observation

Timeline: 2019-20

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Citizens will make decisions to adapt homes and select new building methods for energy efficiency.

Method: Observation and responses to questions

Timeline: 2019-20

B. Intermediate Outcome: Volunteers will engage in community demonstration project

Indicator: Visual observation

Method: By using KEHA local and International tools

Timeline: 2019-21

C. Initial Outcome: Citizens will learn about energy efficient methods of construction including environmental issues worldwide.

Indicator: Through verbal feedback

Method: Attendance to programs, questions and responses to media

Timeline: 2019-20

1. Long-term outcome: Pollution from farms is minimized.

Indicator: Ground water and surface water shows acceptable levels of pesticide byproducts.

Method: Water testing

Timeline: 2020

2.Intermediate outcome: Farmers utilize appropriate types, rates, and techniques with farm chemicals.

Method: Producer feedback, observation

Timeline: Annually

3.Short-term outcome: Farmers understand pesticide action and the effect of pesticides on the environment.

Indicator: Farmers reporting knowledge of how to choose chemicals, application conditions, equipment, and rates.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Citizens

Project or Activity: Affordable, energy efficient housing demonstration project with a low environmental footprint

Content or Curriculum: Pilot project working with KEHA

Inputs:  FCS Council, KEHA

Date: 2019-21

Audience: Farmers

Project or Activity: Pesticide education

Content or Curriculum: UK curriculum

Inputs: Specialists, agent

Date: Annually