Sustainable Agriculture EducationPlan of Work

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Casey County CES

Title:
Sustainable Agriculture Education
MAP:
Sustainable Livestock System
Agents Involved:
Reiss Baxter, Meagan Klee, FCS Agent
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Natural Resources
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Agriculture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Beekeeping
Situation:

Kentucky has much to offer in the way of agriculture. Of Kentucky’s total acreage (25.4 million acres), over 50% (12.9 million acres) is farmland (NASS, 2019). Kentucky farms produce a variety of agricultural products. The top five agricultural commodities (based on sales) in the Commonwealth include broilers, all other animals and products, soybeans, corn, and cattle and calves (USDA ERS, 2020). Kentucky agricultural sales in 2018 were reported at $5.9 billion (USDA ERS, 2020). Of the 75,966 farms in Kentucky, over 90% are individually or family owned. The average age of a Kentucky producer is 56.2 years old, with over 55% of producers 55 years old or older (NASS, 2019).

Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools Committee established by the National Research Council (1988) described an agriculturally literate person as one who’s “…understanding of the food and fiber system would include its history and its current economic, social, and environmental significance to all” (p. 8). The National Agriculture Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one “…who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life” (Spielmaker et al., 2014, p. 2). One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.

Casey County is a rural community placed in south central Kentucky with 63% identified as farm land. There are a total of 1,118 farms with an average size of 160 acres. With 92.8% of these farms being operated by a family or individual, continued agriculture education is imperative.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:
Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Casey County Youth

Project/Activity: Farm Safety Day

Content/Curriculum: ATV Safety Curriculum, additional safety resources

Input: In collaboration with Casey County School Systems, Cattlemen’s Association, Conservation District, Farm Bureau, and the local FFA Chapter. Students will participate in a day camp consisting of PTO Safety, ATV Safety, Storm Safety, Lawn Mower Safety, and Grain Bin Rescue. Students will also hear from first responders: law enforcement with K-9 unit, paramedics, fire department with the smoke house, and flight nurses.

Date: April


Audience: 4-H Members

Project/Activity: 4-H Livestock Program

Content/Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Curriculum

Input: Members attend monthly educational meetings and field trips and apply skills to shows and competitions.

Date: September – August


Audience: 4-H Members

Project/Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project

Content/Curriculum: 4-H Country Ham Curriculum

Input: Participants will learn the ham curing process through hands-on instruction. Participants will learn desirable qualities in a good ham and deliver a well-composed speech at the Kentucky State Fair. Participants will be given the choice to auction their State Fair ham at the Annual Farm Bureau Meeting.

Date: January - October


Audience: Casey County Students

Project/Activity: Farm Bureau National Ag Week & Ag Literacy Week

Content/Curriculum: 4-H Agricultural Resources

Input: Cooperative Extension in partnership with Farm Bureau will provide in-school lessons related to agriculture.

Date: Spring


Audience: Casey County 4th Graders

Project/Activity: Overnight Environmental Education Camp

Content/Curriculum: Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, Project Wild, Project Underground

Input: Students will attend an overnight camp at 4-H Camp focusing on environmental education. Students will learn about mammals, bird adaptation, rock identification, energy, tree identification all while experiencing a taste of 4-H Camp.

Date: Spring


Audience: 4th Graders

Project/Activity: In-School 4-H Clubs/Enrichment

Content/Curriculum: Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, Project Wild, Project Underground

Input: Students will learn about science and natural resources through hands-on activities.

Date: September – April


Audience: 4-H Members

Project/Activity: Shooting Sports Club

Content/Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports

Input: Members will practice firearms safety while improving accuracy and precision when shooting. Members will compete in competitions to test their skills and prepare for the State Shoot in September. Members will shoot Trap, Rifle and Pistol.

Date: March - October


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