Extension
It Starts With Us
Creating awareness of the impact of agriculture on daily life
Agricultural Awareness
Hardy, Brasher, Smith, Rideout, Fourqurean
Local Food Systems
Forages
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Volunteer Development
Kentucky is home to 77,064 farms, with 465 farms in Henderson County (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). The average farm size in Henderson County is 378 acres, compared to the state average of 169 (National Agricultural Statistics Service, 2012). Between 2007 and 2012, the Bluegrass State had a 6.7% decrease in the number of acres of farmland, which is the greatest percentage decrease any state in the country (Census of Agriculture, 2012).
In 2012, Henderson County farms operated on 175,914 acres, which represented 62.9% of total county land. In comparison, Kentucky’s farm operations made up 51.6% of the state’s total land area, and U.S. farm operations made up 40.5% of total land area in the country. While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people about the impact that it makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the commonwealth.
Adults and youth in Henderson County will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
Adults and youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others and can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products.
People in Henderson County will know where their food comes from and what can be grown locally and will know more about Kentucky Proud products.
Initial Outcome: People in Henderson County will know where their food comes from and what can be grown locally and will know more about Kentucky Proud products.
Indicator: People will state what they have learned
Method: Survey
Timeline: 2021
Intermediate Outcome: Adults and youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others and can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products.
Indicator: Survey
Method: Demonstrate Skills
Timeline: End of 2021
Long-term Outcome: Adults and youth in Henderson County will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
Indicator: Behavior
Method: Demonstrate Skills
Timeline: 2021 forward
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Education on locally grown crops, what they look like, and recipes you can make with them during field trip
Content or Curriculum: KY Proud, Plate it up, Extension Publications
Inputs: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, Farmers
Date: Fall 2020-Fall 2021
Audience: Henderson County Seniors
Project or Activity: Administer the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program
Content or Curriculum: State guidelines/promotional materials
Inputs: Extension Agents, Community partners, Farmers
Date: Summer 2020 and Summer 2021
Author: Paul Andrew Rideout
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Henderson Pollinator Action Group Pollinators have been a hot topic for several years and rightfully so. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, these hard working animals help pollinate over 75% of all flowering plants and over 75% of our crops. In the United States, pollination by honey bees directly or indirectly contributed to over $19 billion of crop production. All other insects contribute an estimated $10 billion. A recent study of the status of pollinators in
Author: Alexandria Brasher
Major Program: Natural Resources
Many youth in Henderson County want to learn more about the environment and want to immerse themselves in nature. With Henderson County having a state park, the Ohio and Green River, and many local parks the Henderson County 4-H program decided to utilize the Henderson County Parks Department and utilize one of their large acre parks with fishing ponds to put on a two-day natural resource day camp. During the day camp, students rotated among educational stations that focused on different en
