Agriculture Awareness InitiativePlan of Work

Back to the Program

Logan County CES

Title:
Agriculture Awareness Initiative
MAP:
Promoting Agriculture Awareness
Agents Involved:
Leann Martin, Carrie Derossett
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Grains
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy
Situation:

The average person is 3 generations from production agriculture. It is important to educate the public and our youth about where their food comes from and emphasize food safety.

Logan County has much to offer in the way of agriculture, ranking in the top five counties in Kentucky in grain crops, milk from cows, and hog production. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, 78% of the land in Logan County is farmland totaling $152,164,000 in products sold, ranking ninth in Kentucky. Logan County farms produce a variety of agricultural products. The top four agricultural commodities, based on sales, in Logan County are grain crops, milk from cows, cattle, and tobacco. 

Logan County's rich agricultural heritage is one to be proud of and treasured. Agriculture is the second leading industry in Logan County and has deeply impacted the overall economy.  

Long-Term Outcomes:

-Youth will be agriculturally literate and are able to make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.

- Residents will be agriculturally literate and are able to make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.

-Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production. 

-Logan County residents will make the local farmers' market a staple in their grocery purchases.

- Citizens will be well educated and help defend against accusations of GMO/Conventional production, animal welfare, and other Ag. hot topics

- Producer become more involved in the Chamber of Commerce or other community based organization in efforts to further promote

Intermediate Outcomes:

- Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.

-Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.

-Both producers and citizens learn to appreciate each others' time on the road and share the road especially during harvest/planting seasons

- Customers purchase meat or other goods based on the information learned

- Customers are able to make an educated decision about the food they eat and purchase

- Citizens help promote/support local farming businesses/farmers' market/road stands

Initial Outcomes:

- Increased knowledge about GMO/Organics/Natural/Conventional

- Increased knowledge about anti-hormone/anti-antibiotics, etc.

- Increased awareness of our farming community in the eyes of "city" citizens

- Citizens seek out the local farmers' market

-Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science.

-Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.

-Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Citizens seek out and attend farmers' market

Indicator: increased attendance at market

Method: tally/count

Timeline: Summer 2020/ Each Summer


Initial Outcome: Residents are more aware of their Agriculture neighbors and appreciate the impact they have in our community 

Indicator: reduction in number of Agriculture related complaints (including roadways, social media, neighborhoods, etc.)

Method: tally/count/social media traffic

Timeline: Summer 2020 ; Each Spring, Summer, Fall


Intermediate Outcome: Consumers are able to make an educated decision on grocery purchases based on their desire for conventional/natural/organic and the knowledge they gained by knowing the difference

Indicator: satisfaction of purchases

Method: interviews/follow up/grocery simulation

Timeline: 1 year


Long-term Outcome: Citizens are able to defend their opinions of the type of food they purchased (organic/natural/conventional) based on true facts and not on emotion

Indicator:

Method: observation

Timeline: 1-3 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Logan County Citizens/Chamber Members
Project or Activity: Agriculture Appreciation Videos
Content or Curriculum: Drone video footage of all Logan County Agriculture
Inputs: Extension Agent time, Producers, Facility, Technology,
Date: January 2021, (Year long production)

Audience: Logan County Citizens/Chamber Members
Project or Activity: Agriculture Appreciation Breakfast
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture Leader speaker
Inputs: Extension Agent time, Volunteers' time, Chamber of Commerce, Speaker, Producers, Sponsors, Facility, Technology, Breakfast
Date: January 2021, Jan. 2022, Jan. 2023, Jan 2024

Audience: Logan County Agri-Tourism Producers/Hosts
Project or Activity: Agri-Tourism Commission and Classes
Content or Curriculum: Small Business Enhancements; Agri-Tourism Marketing & Communications
Inputs: Extension Agent time, Specialist's time, Small Business Development Center, CEDIK
Date: Summer 2020, Summer 2021, Summer 2022, Summer 2023

Audience: Consumers & Citizens
Project or Activity: Farmers' Market Highlighted Events
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up, UK Nutrition Information
Inputs: Extension Agent Time, Volunteers, Farmers' Market Vendors,
Date: Summer 2020, Summer 2021, Summer 2022, Summer 2023

Audience: Russellville High School Students
Project or Activity: Career Day/Environment Elective Class
Content or Curriculum: Environment publications, Sustainable Agriculture Publications
Inputs: Extension Agent time, Specialist's time, High School Teachers & Students; Technology; Volunteers
 Date: Spring 2021, Spring 2023

Audience: Logan County Citizens/Chamber Members
Project or Activity: Tour of Logan County Agriculture
Content or Curriculum: Visiting Farms in Logan County via video
Inputs: Extension Agent time, Volunteers' time, Chamber of Commerce, Producers, Sponsors, Facility, Technology,
  Date: Summer 2021, Summer 2023

Audience: Logan County Citizens/Chamber Members
Project or Activity: Leadership Logan Ag Day (Youth & Adult)
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: Extension Agent time, Volunteers' time, Chamber of Commerce, Producers, Sponsors, Facility, Technology,
Date: Aug & Sept. 2021, Aug & Sept. 2022

Audience: Consumers & Citizens
Project or Activity: Family Fun at the Farmers' Market
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up, UK Nutrition Information, Home Gardening, 4-H Agriculture, Kindergarten Readiness
Inputs: Extension Agent Time, Volunteers, Farmers' Market Vendors,
Date: Summer 2020, Summer 2021, Summer 2022, Summer 2023

Audience: Adults at Lifeskills Industries
Project or Activity: Lifeskills’ Garden Project
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up, UK Nutrition Information, Home Gardening, Gardening in Small Spaces

Inputs: Extension Agent Time, Volunteers, Lifeskills’ volunteers, Lifeskills’ employees
 Date: Spring & Summer 2021, Spring & Summer 2023

Audience: Citizens & Producers
Project or Activity: Agriculture Safety & Awareness
  Content or Curriculum: State Safety Instructions & More

Inputs: Extension Agent Time, Volunteers, Producers, State Safety Instructors, Film crew

Date: Spring & Summer 2021, Spring & Summer 2023


Audience: Elementary School Students
Project or Activity: Olmstead Outdoor Garden Classroom
  Content or Curriculum: Home Gardening, Gardening in Small Spaces,  Plate it Up, UK Nutrition Information,

Inputs: Extension Agent Time, Volunteers, Student volunteers, Parent Volunteers, School Family resources Services, School Principle
 Date:  Summer & Fall 2020, Spring, Summer, and Fall 2021, Spring, Summer, and Fall 2022, Spring & Summer 2023,


Audience: 4-H youth

Project or Activity: Logan County 4-H Livestock Club

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures 1 and 2; Kentucky Farm 2 School; Project Food, Land, and People; Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Kit; Beef Resource Handbook; Beef Project and Record Book; Beef, Sheep, Swine Selection Evaluation; Dairy Cow Project and Record Book; Dairy Heifer Project and Record Book; Dairy Resource Handbook; 4-H Dairy Cattle 1, 2, 3, Helper’s Guide; Dairy Judging Resources; Goat Project and Record Book; Goat Resource Book; Sheep Resource Handbook; Market Lamb Project and Record Book; Sheep Breeding Project and Record Book; Swine Resource Handbook; Market Hog Project and Record Book; Swine Breeding Project and Record Book

Inputs: Livestock Volunteer Certification Training; Agent In-services

Date: Summer 2020-Summer 2023


Audience: 4-H youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Program

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Horse Project Record Book; Horse Achievement Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4; Horse Safety Guidelines; Horse Smarts; Equine Reference and Youth Activity Guide; Horse Volunteer Certification Resource Kit

Inputs: Horse Volunteer Certification Training; Agent In-Services

Date: Summer 2020-Summer 2023


Audience: 4-H youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Country Ham Program

Content or Curriculum: How to Make a Country Ham Publication; How to Cure a Country Ham Video

Inputs: Agent In-services

Date- Summer 2020, Spring/Summer 2021, Spring/Summer 2022, Spring/Summer 2023



Success Stories

Mammoth Cave Area Virtual Field Day

Author: Leann Martin

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The Covid-19 pandemic has presented challenges to many people. It has changed the way we live and work. One of the challenges that has developed for Extension Agents is how do we continue to deliver quality educational programs to our clientele during this health crisis? Most traditional face-to-face program delivery methods are not currently an option.An alternate method is electronic delivery of programs. With the cancellation most of our traditional field days due to Covid-19, agents collabor

Full Story

Preschool Pumpkin Days

Author: Leann Martin

Major Program: Local Food Systems

It is through our valued partnership with the Allen, Logan, and Simpson Community Early Childhood Council that we, the Logan County Cooperative Extension Service, seek to improve school readiness in Logan County by educating, encouraging, and engaging families. Kindergarten readiness means that each child enters school ready to engage in and benefit from early learning experiences that best promote the child’s success. The kindergarten screener measures readiness in five important domains,

Full Story

2020 – The Year of Virtual Programs and Infinite Reach

Author: Leann Martin

Major Program: Community Engagement

The year 2020, will forever be in our minds as one of the most challenging years, but with great challenge, the Logan County Extension Service found great opportunities to serve through innovative thinking and planning. When traditional educational programming was unavailable, the Logan County Extension Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, and 4-H & Youth Development as well as the SNAP-Ed Assistant created opportunities for educational growth.Zero-touc

Full Story

Sweet Summertime at the Farmer's Market

Author: Leann Martin

Major Program: Local Food Systems

One of the best lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, is how great and available local foods are. In the midst of the pandemic, families cautiously stayed close to home with limited trips to the crowded grocery stores. To help educate community members about the abundant local foods available as well as promoting family growth and health, the Logan County Extension Service, with community partners, re-designed the Family Fun Day at the Farmers’ Market into the Sweet Summertime at the

Full Story
Back to the Program