Harlan County CES

Title:

Improve and sustain agriculture production

MAP:

Agriculture Production and Sustainablity

Agents Involved:

Lora Davidson, Raymond Cox, Jeremy Williams

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Horticulture, Commercial

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Volunteer Development

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Local Food Systems

Situation:

During discussions with the Harlan County Extension Council, program councils, and volunteer groups, agriculture management was seen as an issue that needs to be addressed. Although the county's commercial agriculture production ranks low, home gardening, landscaping, home fruit production, honey, forestry, and livestock production are still a source of livelihood income for citizens.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Adults and youth will initiate fruit and vegetable production and livestock management practices in order to provide a low cost food source and possible supplementation of income. Citizens will also see economic diversity as a result of being involved and developing agriculture products.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adults and youth will apply recommended agriculture management practices to their gardens, orchards, beeyards, woodlands, and livestock operations.

Initial Outcomes:

Adults and youth will gain knowledge in gardening and fruit production as it refers to site selection, soil preparation, variety selection, nutrient needs, disease and insect controls, and proper harvesting in order to receive the best products. Adults will gain knowledge in apiary management and assist other beekeepers. Youth and adults will acquire skills in livestock management. They will be able to use best management practices in their operations.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Gain knowledge in agriculture production and management
Indicator: Begin to see improvements in their operations
Method: Attendance at workshops, reports, visits
Timeline: Throughout year

Intermediate Outcome: Adults and youth will gain knowledge of agriculture production
Indicator: Adults and youth will apply the knowledge they have learned
Method: Participate in workshops, 4-H events, site visits, reports
Timeline: Throughout year

Long-term Outcome: Adults and youth will gain knowledge in agriculture production and management
Indicator: Improvement will be made in their landscapes, orchards, beeyards and livestock production
Method: Number of adults and youth attending workshops and participating in agriculture management activities
Timeline: Throughout year

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Adult
Project or Activity: Garden planning, season extension gardening, organic gardening, food preservation, livestock production
Content or Curriculum: UK publications, presentations
Inputs: Staff, UK Specialists, leaders, volunteers
Date: Throughout year

Audience: K-6
Project or Activity: Windowsill Garden/Grow Your Own Tomatoes
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Staff, teachers
Date: Spring

Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Harlan County Beekeepers
Content or Curriculum: Education events, programs, publications
Inputs: Staff, leaders, guest speakers
Date: Throughout year

Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Home Fruit Production
Content or Curriculum: Presentations, hands-on, publications
Inputs: Staff, UK Specialists, volunteers
Date: Spring

Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Chick Incubation
Content or Curriculum: Presentations, hands-on, publications
Inputs: Staff, teachers, volunteers
Date: Spring

Audience: 4th-12th grade
Project or Activity: 4H Garden Club
Content or Curriculum: Gardening booklets, publications
Inputs: Staff, volunteers
Date: Spring

Success Stories