Extension
It Starts With Us
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resources and Urban Forestry
Promoting Sustainability
C. Durr, C. Hall, V. Holland, A. Holt, S. Lewis, W. Long, B. Pratt, M. Pearce and K. Smith
Urban Environments (water issues)
Sustainable Agriculture
Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)
4-H Volunteer Programming
Agriculture is Kentucky’s largest employer and accounts for the greatest amount of revenue in Kentucky’s economy. However, agriculture in Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky’s largest and most urban county, looks decidedly different. With a few hundred traditional farms scattered in the far south end of the county, production agriculture receipts are quite small. However, urban agriculture, home gardening and commercial horticulture are popular and growing segments. Also, with the local food and makers movements gaining momentum in Louisville/Jefferson County, the impact from food and fiber producers is great.
Equally important are natural resources. Understanding how daily choices can impact our environment is vital to conserving and preserving our natural resources and ensuring a healthy environment for present and future generations. In 2008, Kentucky ranked 18th in total energy consumption and 7th in energy consumption per capita. In 2010, Kentuckians recycled 35.7% of all municipal solid waste and 29% of common household recyclables. The average Kentuckian used 67 gallons of water per person per day. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for food production are vital to our existence. Therefore, it’s important that citizens care for and respect these resources.
Disaster preparedness is necessary for safe communities. Each year, on average, Kentuckians deal with 30-50 days associated with thunderstorms, 12 tornadoes and 3 fatalities related to tornadoes. In additions, flooding is a problem in Jefferson County, as well as other natural disasters.
• Increase in the number of youth and adults practicing, participating in and advocating for sustainable home horticulture and agriculture.
• Youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world.
• Youth and adults will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
• Youth and adults will place value on and advocate for water resources, protect and improve water quality and reduce stormwater pollutants.
• Youth and adults will protect and improve water, soil and air resources.
• Youth and adults will maintain or improve wildlife habitat (e.g. beneficial insects).
• Farmers will improve efficiency of manure handling, reduce environmental impacts of winter feeding areas and homeowners will reduce lawn, landscape and garden additives.
• Increased tree planting will help to maintain or decrease the “heat island effect.”
• Youth and adults are making changes in their daily lives that implement sustainable practices and home horticulture such as gardening, water conservation, recycling and an increase in community based initiatives around the same things.
• Youth and adults can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
• Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems.
• Producers implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) on their property or in their community.
• Youth and adults will make informed decisions on daily activities and actions that affect water quality by attending a stormwater education and training program
• Advocate for stormwater BMPs with clients and community leaders
• Develop, update and implement Ag Water Quality Plan and Nutrient Management Plan
• Residents will appreciate and improve forested areas and will increase the number of tree planted.
• Gain knowledge and skills, developing and interest in the subject matter, developing an understanding of the interdependencies of the ecosystem. Learn valuable life skills that pertain to horticulture and environmental issues.
• Youth and adults will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant science, horticulture and animal science.
• Youth and adults will gain and understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems.
• Youth and adults can define watershed, stormwater, impervious surfaces, pollutant runoff, hydrology and stream ecology
• Youth and adults can recognize the water quality issues/needs on their property, at their school, in the community
• Youth and adults can understand the benefits of native plants, non-aggressive perennials, and vegetation in the landscape
• Homeowners learn how to take a soil test and practice soil conservation
• Working with urban adjacent forestland owners to develop sustainable land practices
Initial Outcome: Homeowners learn how to take a soil test and practice soil
conservation.
Indicator: Number of homeowners who successfully deliver a soil sample
Method: Extension soil test records and vouchers
Timeline: Ongoing through the year
Intermediate Outcome: Youth and adults can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
Indicator: An increase in youth and adults who explain the role of agriculture
Method: Observation, records, surveys
Timeline: After programs
Long-term Outcome: Increase in the number of youth and adults practicing, participating in and advocating for sustainable home horticulture and sustainable agriculture.
Indicator: An increase in the number of youth and adults that participate,
practice and advocate for sustainable horticulture and agriculture
Method: Observation, records, surveys
Timeline: After programs
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Master Gardeners program
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener manual
Inputs: speakers, lab class, quizzes, tests, agent time
Date: May 2017 – October 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: summer programs, after school clubs
Content or Curriculum: activities, project wild, Jr MG program
Inputs: Jr. MG program curriculum
Date: July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Community Garden implementation; school garden
Content or Curriculum: Extension publications
Inputs: Master Gardener volunteers; agents; specialists;
content curriculum
Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Audience: Louisville residents
Project or Activity: Rain Gardens
Content or Curriculum: Rain gardens with MSD curriculum
Inputs: Plants, agents, MSD
Date: TBD
Audience: Commercial producers
Project or Activity: GAP Training, farmers market sampling certificate,
organic certification
Content or Curriculum: Programs associated with above projects
Inputs: Farms, KDA, agents, buyers, farmers
Date: TBD
Audience: Seniors
Project or Activity: Food Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: CES publications, Plate It Up, Farmers Market
Inputs: All CES Agents, CES publications, extension
publications
Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Ag Field Day
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Louisville Water Company Festival
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Jr. MANRRS
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017 - Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Embryology
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Camp
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Gardening
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Country Ham
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Livestock Clubs
Content or Curriculum: What’s on your Plate: Exploring Food Science,
Afterschool Agriculture, Embryology, Swine, Poultry,
Dairy Goat, Step Up to Leadership, Build Your Future,
Cooking, Gardening
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, grants
Date: Sept. 2017- Aug. 2018
Audience: Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: Gardening in Small Spaces
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association (KEHA)
Inputs: Kentucky CES publication and resources
Date: Spring 2018
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Light Bulbs in the Home
Content or Curriculum: Home Energy Use
Inputs: Kentucky CES publication and resources
Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Home Cleaning Products
Content or Curriculum: Household Waste Management
Inputs: Kentucky CES publication and resources
Date: July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018
Author: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Jefferson Co. Agent for Horticulture Education collaborated with the Urban Conservationist with Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation District and local non-profit, Louisville Grows to host the Urban Homesteading Workshop Series. The goal of the program was to introduce the art of self-sufficiency via homegrown food production for people living in an urban environment. Classes met twice a month, March.-Oct. of 2019 with a celebration in November. 2019 was the second year t
Author: Kelly Smith
Major Program: 4-H Youth Development Programming
The Jefferson County 4-H Ag Field Day was held on September 26, 2019 at Sunny Acres Farm, a Southeast Jefferson County working farm. 150 elementary school students at 4th grade level along with their teachers experienced a working farm first-hand. 80% of these students had no awareness of where foods are created. As urban youth, their concept of the origination of their food is simply from the grocery store. Youth were taught within areas of agriculture, nutrition, animal Science and water quali
Author: Kelly Smith
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
In the 2019-2020 school year, over 30 classrooms, representing both private and public Jefferson County schools, will experience the Embryology project from the Jefferson County 4-H program. Teachers within classrooms receive hands on experience with learning life skills and knowledge of the process of embryology. Youth will learn to care and maintain for the eggs and incubator before, during and after the incubation period. They also see the proper care of newly hatched chicks. Kelly Smit
Author: Stephen Lewis
Major Program: Master Gardener
The Master Gardener state conference was hosted in Jefferson County for the first time at the Parklands of Floyd's Fork on September 18, 2019 - September 20, 2019, in the Gheens Foundation Lodge. The theme for this year's conference was Urban Parks and Gardens: Past, Present, and Future. Our featured speakers were Rick Darke and Tom Smarr, well-respected landscape design consultants. Both have worked together on the design of the Woodland Gardens at Broad Run Park at the Parklands a
Author: Lawrence Caudle
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
Jefferson County 4-H Youth Development partners with a number of community organizations across the county. One of the main partnerships the 4-H program upholds is the partnership with the community centers. There 15 community centers in Louisville, and many of them provides access to youth participants who may not have the means to attend 4-H programming; this allows 4-H to bring programming to the community centers’ participants to assist them in developing life skills. During the summer
Author: Lawrence Caudle
Major Program: 4-H Leadership Core Curriculum
Jefferson County 4-H Introduces Jefferson County Teens to M.A.N.R.R.S. and Agriculture Related CareersAccording to the United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, agriculture and its related industries provide 11 percent of U.S. employment. Unfortunately, many youth are not aware of the opportunities that agriculture provides. This is true for many of the students that attend Fern Creek Traditional High School in Jefferson County, Louisville, KY. A number of Fern Creek&rsq
Author: Phillip Long
Major Program: Urban Environments (water issues)
Since we use these stories as a resource for multiple requests, don’t restrict Success Stories only to traditional Extension appointments and activities. Any accomplishments and efforts that are noteworthy may be included.Surface water runoff from impervious surfaces has become a major water quality problem to Kentucky’s urban streams. These urban streams are used for swimming, wadding and other recreational activities and have negative impacts on humans and aquatic life as water qua
Author: Phillip Long
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Since we use these stories as a resource for multiple requests, don’t restrict Success Stories only to traditional Extension appointments and activities. Any accomplishments and efforts that are noteworthy may be included.The Louisville Zoo, or the Louisville Zoological Garden, is a 134-acre zoo in Louisville, Kentucky, situated in the city's Poplar Level neighborhood. Notable Exhibits include Herpaquarium, Lorikeet Landing, Glacier Run, South America, Africa Exhibit, Islands, Gorilla
Author: Phillip Long
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
Since we use these stories as a resource for multiple requests, don’t restrict Success Stories only to traditional Extension appointments and activities. Any accomplishments and efforts that are noteworthy may be included.Jefferson County residents have a desire to be life-long learners and play an active role in protecting and improving the environment. The Jefferson County Extension Service applied to be one of the first hosts for the Kentucky Master Naturalist Program(KMNP).  
Author: Chanda Hall
Major Program: 4-H Agriculture Core Curriculum AND Natural Resources
The Jefferson County 4-H Ag Field Day was held on September 26, 2019, at Sunny Acres Farm, a Southeast Jefferson County working farm. 150 elementary school students at the 4th-grade level along with their teachers experienced a working farm first-hand. 80% of these students had no awareness of where foods are created. As urban youth, their concept of the origination of their food is simply from the grocery store.Partnering with outside agencies, youth were taught within areas of agriculture, nut
Author: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Farmer's Markets
In order to support English-Language Learning (ELL) Farmers Market Vendors, the Jefferson County Horticulture Agent partnered with the University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversity (CCD) and CommonEarth Gardens to adapt the COVID-19 Farmers Market training from CCD to make it accessible for the ELL Farmers.The CCD took the lead in developing several webinars about changes to farmers markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Hort Agent and members of CommonEarth Gardens attended these webinars
