Promoting Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resources and Urban ForestryPlan of Work

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Jefferson County CES

Title:
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture, Natural Resources and Urban Forestry
MAP:
Promoting Sustainability
Agents Involved:
C. Durr, C. Hall, V. Holland, A. Holt, S. Lewis, W. Long, B. Pratt, M. Pearce and K. Smith
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Volunteer Development
Situation:
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.
Long-Term Outcomes:
• 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.”
Intermediate Outcomes:
• 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.
Initial Outcomes:
• 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
Evaluation:
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
Learning Opportunities:

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



Success Stories

Master gardener class goes digital

Author: Stephen Lewis

Major Program: Master Gardener

The Jefferson County Master Gardener program had to suspend in person classes due to Covid-19 pandemic after only its first class. However, it was reconvened in the October, with a new virtual format. All classes were presented on Zoom and for the first time students were able to receive University level education from the comfort of their homes. Classes were twice a week for 7 weeks and contained presentations on topics from the Kentucky Master Gardener Manual. There were 25 participants who co

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Heathly Horse Pastures

Author: Phillip Long

Major Program: Pest ID

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.Healthy Horse PasturesSeveral equine producers struggle occasionally to determine what is a safe pasture plant or a bordering tree or shrub. Kentucky has several species of plants, shrubs and trees that could potential cause negative health issues with horses. While some

Full Story

Getting Your Garden Started Online Workshop Series

Author: Bethany Pratt

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In February of 2021, the Jefferson Co. Horticulture Agent (Hort. Agent) partnered with the Jefferson Co. Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) to teach two sessions of a five-week-long online workshop, “Getting Your Garden Started”. A total of 60 people registered for the event and 34 of those folks attended all 5 sessions. Because the workshop series was taught on zoom, each session was recorded and uploaded to the Jefferson Co. Extension & Conversation District’s

Full Story

Working With Louisville Metro's Office of Community Development to Use Vacant Lots For Urban Agriculture in Food Deserts

Author: Phillip Long

Major Program: Community Engagement

1. 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 Metro Office of Community Development list more than 300 vacant lots in the city many of which are located in areas designated a Food Desert. An application to lease or purchase these lots is required along with a detailed written use. The Louisvil

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Urban Soil Lead Contamination: How Extension Provides Assistance

Author: Phillip Long

Major Program: Soil testing

It has been well documented that urban residential areas potentially have high levels of heavy metals particularly lead (Pb) in their soils.   Additionally, other carcinogenic toxins may be present in the soil depending on the historical use of the property or if the structure was destroyed by fire. The Ag agent has sampled many of these residential and agriculture sites to determine if the soils were suitable for food production, and safe for children. Recently soil sample test result

Full Story

Equine Therapy Farm Development: How Extension Plays a Role in Developoment Success

Author: Phillip Long

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

New farm business development in Jefferson County has slowed with regard to the recent pandemic, and a limited amount of support, created by an uncertain socio-economic-political environment. However, the development of Equine Therapy farms has continued to grow, serving the increased needs of Jefferson County, with the greatest number of farms being located in Eastern Jefferson County.  Equine Therapy has created a need for safe and healthy indoor, and outdoor environments, for clients and

Full Story
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