Extension
It Starts With Us
Protecting Water and Natural Resources
Protecting Natural Resources
Traci Missun, Kelly Woods
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Agriculture
Natural Resources
People, animals and plants are dependent on our Earth’s natural resources. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for food production –these resources are vital to our existence. Therefore, it’s important that we care for and respect these resources. Understanding how our daily choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for present and future generations. Results gathered in the 2019 Oldham County Assessment show that many residents are concerned about the amount of illegal dumping and littering. Results also show that residents feel the need for increased tree and forestry management.
Oldham County includes watersheds that are on the impaired list, most often due to sedimentation with some bacterial issues. The Oldham County Ag Development Council has targeted soil and water conservation education as being an important initiative in programming. 4-H school programs for 4th graders include water science and conservation topics that correspond to required school curriculum and learning.
Additionally, Oldham County Fiscal Court has a Watershed Coordinator on staff to educate the public. Oldham County Extension began partnering with the Watershed Coordinator in 2013 to educate residents in practices to protect water and watersheds.
An increased number of farms will use updated Agriculture water quality plans; an increased number of residents will use practices like soil testing. Youth will have a keen environmental awareness, realizing the long term impact and are willing to make changes in their lives to address this concern.
Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
Oldham County homeowners will use best management practices such as soil testing, buffer areas and integrated pest management practices. Oldham County youth will share water conservation practices with families and will adopt changes to conserve water. Oldham County farms will update and/or create ag water quality plans and use these on their farms.
Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.
Homeowners and farmers learn best management practices to protect water sources. Youth discover the properties of water and the water cycle and how this relates to the environment.
Youth will gain understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship.
Initial Outcome: Youth will gain an understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship.
Indicator: Number of youth who participated and gained an understanding of environmental systems.
Method: Onsite surveys of participants
Timeline: TBD by classroom teachers based on curriculum needs
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.
Indicator: Number of youth who used the skills and knowledge learned in 4-H to conserve natural resourcesMethod: Onsite Surveys of participants
Timeline: TBD by classroom teachers based on curriculum needs
Long-term Outcome: Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
Indicator: Youth plan and implement a natural resource project.Method: Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?”
Timeline: May/June 2021
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Woodworking Workshop
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council, Extension Staff and Volunteers
Date: July-August 2020
Audience: 4-H Members 4th graders
Project or Activity: Animal Adaptions
Content or Curriculum: Project Wet and Project Food Land and People
Inputs: 4-H Staff, CES Funding, Oldham County Public Schools, Classroom Teachers
Date: TBD by Teacher Plans
Audience: 4-H Members 4th graders
Project or Activity: Mudballs (Soil and Erosion)
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Natural Resources Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Staff, CES Funding, Oldham County Public Schools, Classroom Teachers
Date: TBD by Teacher Plans
Activity: Sum of the Parts
Audience: 5th grade students
Content or Curriculum: What is a watershed? How do my actions affect a watershed?
Inputs: 4-H Staff, Project Wet Curriculum
Date: TBD by Teacher Plans
Activity: Entomology
Audience: 5th grade students
Content or Curriculum: Hissing Cock Roaches
Inputs: 4-H Staff, University of Kentucky Entomology Department
Date: TBD by Teacher Plans
Activity: Soil Samples
Audiences: 5th grade 4-H Members
Content or Curriculum: Science Sleuths
Inputs: 4-H Staff, Project Food, Land and People
Date: TBD by Teacher Plans
Activity: H2O Olympics
Audience: 5th Grade 4-H Members
Content or Curriculum: Project Wet
Inputs: 4-H Staff, OCPS
Date: TBD by Teacher Plans
Activity: Incredible Journey
Audience: 5th grade 4-H Members
Content or Curriculum: Project Wet
Inputs: 4-H Staff, OCPS
Date: TBD by Teacher Plans
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Shooting Sports
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Shooting Sports Curricula
Inputs: 4-H Staff, Shooting Sports Volunteers, Open Range, Community Members, Donors
Date: April thru October
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Earth Day
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Youth Curriculum
Inputs: Conservation District Staff/Volunteers, Agriculture Agent, Horticulture Assistant
Date: April 2021
Audience: Community Education Program Participants
Project or Activity: Soils, Gardening Activities
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Materials
Inputs: Agriculture Agent, Horticulture Assistant
Date: Winter and Spring 2021
Audience: Residents
Project or Activity: Backyard Streams
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension materials; County Recycling Resources
Inputs: Agriculture Agent, County Engineers Staff
Date: October 2020
Author: Kelly Woods
Major Program: Natural Resources
Oldham County 4-H Shooting Sports fosters life skills and positive youth development through healthy competition, service, leadership and education. In 2020, the Oldham County Program was suspended due to COVID which meant 2021 was a year of rebuilding the program.At the start of the season, the club had lost seven coaches due to COVID fear and sickness so this was the year of rebuilding the club. The club sent five individuals to become Certified Coaches. Coaches and Coordinators dev
