Extension
It Starts With Us
Promoting commodities and awareness of agriculture and natural resources
Agriculture and Environment
Allen, Bryant Popham, Crawford, Hinton, Pruneda, Tucker
Beef
Grains
Local Food Systems
Natural Resources
Kentucky is home to 85,500 farms, with 1,509 farms located in Breckinridge County (USDA 2012, 2012 Ag Census). The average farm size in Breckinridge County is 199 acres, with 37% of the population farming as a primary occupation (2012 Ag Census). The average age of a Kentucky producer is 56.2 years old, with over 55% of producers 55 years old or older (NASS, 2019). 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). While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, particularly youth, about the impact that it makes on their daily lives, as well as the importance of agriculture to the commonwealth. Breckinridge county continues to have diverse income from livestock, grain and tobacco, with Livestock sales of $45 million, $ 8.1 million in tobacco sales and finally $ 22.9 million in sales of grain and oilseeds (Census of Agriculture, 2012). 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). As genetics improve, Extension looks for more opportunities to add on value along the production chain of crops and livestock. As prices for inputs stabilize, producers need a combined effort to improve the value of both crops and livestock. Extension provides resources for farm families and educational opportunities for youth and adults.
In addition, 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. Kentucky’s natural resources play an important role in our state’s social, economic, and environmental well-being.
• Kentucky has over 90,000 miles of rivers and streams, and 45 major lakes (KGS, 2014).
• Kentucky, famous for karst topography, has the longest known cave system in the world (NPS, 2020). Roughly 38% of the state has some karst features and 25% of the state has well-developed karst features (KGS, 2014).
• Kentucky is 48% forested and is known as having one of the most diverse hardwood species mix in the nation. The economic contribution of Kentucky’s forest industry was over $13 billion in 2016 (KDF, 2019).
• Kentucky is home to numerous wildlife species and has one of the most diverse fish and mussel populations in the U.S. and North America, respectively (KDFWR, 2013).
• In 2016, Kentucky’s coal industry produced over 42 million tons of coal, and as a state ranked as the fourth highest coal producer in the U.S. (Bone, 2017).
Today’s youth spend less time outdoors than previous generations (Clemonts, 2004; Karsten, 2005; Carver et al., 2008) and are likely able to identify a Pokémon character more easily than a native plant or animal (Balmford et al., 2002). Every five years (since 1999) the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC) conducts a survey to assess Kentuckian’s environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. According to KEEC’s 2015-2020 Environmental Education Master Plan (2015), “…the average Kentuckian is able to answer correctly slightly more than half of the environmental knowledge questions included on the survey. This result leaves ample room for improvement” (p 27). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase environmental literacy among youth in Kentucky. The KEEC (2018) defines environmental literacy as “…the ability to recognize the components of healthy natural and man-made systems and the actions necessary to maintain, restore, or improve them” (p. 4) and states that environmental education is a pathway to environmental literacy (KEEC, 2018). Kentucky Statute (KRS 157.905) defines environmental education as “…an education process dealing with the interrelationships among the natural world and its man-made surroundings; is experience-based; interdisciplinary in its approach; and is a continuous life-long process that provides the citizenry with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to individually and collectively encourage positive actions for achieving and maintaining a sustainable balance between man and the environment” (Kentucky Legislative Research Committee, 2020, p.1). Extension provides adults and youth with environmental education opportunities by engaging in hands-on, interdisciplinary educational experiences that foster an increased understanding and appreciation for natural resources and environmental sciences. Programs and projects are offered in the areas of environmental science, entomology, forestry and wood science, geology, soils, water, wildlife, and shooting sports.
Participants will have improved end product quality and food safety, enhanced profit margin, greater enjoyment from farming, long term viability, and improved profitability and efficiency. Farmers market vendors will encourage marketing in other avenues, and search for more ways to please their customer. Participants will have an increased knowledge of the Ag Development Fund Cost Share programs, such as, CAIP, as well as, NRCS Programs, such as, CSP. Youth participants will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise, gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H, and be an advocate for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems. Breckinridge County community members will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world. Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation. Homeowners will begin to utilize their knowledge from the Master Gardener Programs to teach others on utilization of natural resources.
Participants will negotiate for better input prices, follow soil test recommendations, and move to more diverse pest control to help reduce the incidence of resistant weeds. Participation in Cost Share programs will give them the opportunity to improve or expand their farming operation. ?Grain farmers will receive monthly updates on grain markets to increase their knowledge and skill of marketing grains successfully. ?Farmers Market participants will make small changes in their marketing practices. Youth participants will practice and apply skills and knowledge related to food production, explain the role of agriculture in their daily lives, and adopt and practice skills that contribute to employability.
Local adults and youth will make decisions in their daily lives that positively impact natural resources, adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community, and use problem solving skills and apply them to environmental issues. Homeowners will work to utilize raised beds in their home vegetable garden program to provide more locally grown produce. Accessible gardens will be used to allow homeowners to gain control of their gardens and begin to increase their mobility and their knowledge of small garden production.
During monthly cattle production meetings, participants will gain knowledge of nutrient needs of growing calves, budgeting (including differences between variable and fixed costs), financial programs, and decision making with implications for profitability. Participants will be able to describe the best management practices for handling cattle and providing for their well-being. Tobacco farmers will utilize information and record keeping practices obtained in the mandatory GAP meetings. Farmers Market participants will look for advice on marketing commodities and try a few changes to their marketing plan. Youth participants will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in areas of plant sciences, horticulture, and animal sciences. Youth will also gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems and develop skills, such as, decision making, communications, record keeping, leadership, and service.
Local adults and youth will develop an interest in environmental sciences and sustainable practices and technologies, gain knowledge of the interrelationship and inter-dependencies with an ecosystem, and identify and gain knowledge of the natural resources that are used within their home and community. Farm and homeowners will break those barriers and begin implementing raised beds, as well as, increase their knowledge and their use of small accessible gardens with demonstrations in each small community area, such as, the Senior Citizen Center, and Communicare adult workshop, and the local hospital extended care unit.
Initial Outcome: Practices being put in place for increase net farm income
Indicator: Soil Sample numbers and calls on recommendations on soil samples. Increase in farm calls for PESTS problems, such as, weeds, diseases and insects. Increase in requests for newsletter and to be on the mailing lists and an increase in personal reviews of the newsletter and its content. Increase in requests for information and on farm visits. Increased awareness of IPM practices associated with the diagnosis of problems.
Method: numbers from soil database, and increase in number of calls for assistance, Increase in ACCESS database additions to the newsletter. ?
Timeline: 2020-2021
Initial Outcome: Increased awareness, knowledge and skills relating to Agriculture, Horticulture, and Animal Science
Indicator: Increased youth attendance and participation in agriculture programs
Method: Curriculum and program evaluation tools
Timeline: At time of program implementation
Initial Outcome: Adults and youth will identify and gain knowledge of the natural resources that are used within their home and community.
Indicator: Number of individuals who can identify natural resources in the community.
Method: Kentucky 4-H Evaluations
Timeline: Throughout program implementation
Intermediate Outcome: Adults and youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting using their skills to conserve natural resources.
Method: Follow-up surveys, personal interviews, and observations
Timeline: 1-3-month follow-up to program implementation
Intermediate Outcome: Improved net farm income, reduced debt, farms remaining stable for the next 2 years. ?
Indicator: Surveys returned, Improvement and upgrade of equipment on local farms, farm family remain active in Extension Programming. ?
Method: Surveys and customer comments
Timeline: 2020-2021
Intermediate Outcome: Youth participants developing skills related to gardening, animal care, livestock judging, showmanship, record keeping, etc.?
Indicator: Participants recognize increased confidence in their skills related to agriculture and youth improved gardening techniques, showmanship, livestock judging, etc.
Method: Follow-up surveys, personal interviews and observations
Timeline: 1-3-month follow-up to program implementation
Long-term Outcome: Farmers learn and use more value-added avenues for their crops
Indicator: Increase in Farmers’ Market value added sales, more information requested for new crops such as Hi Tunnels, more intense labor crops such as HEMP. Increase in participants trained in Micro Processing from our area. Increase in locally sourced meat approved sites in the county.
Method: review of the BC Farmers Market, review of producer requests.?
Timeline: 2020-2021
Long-term Outcome: An increase in the number of youth pursuing Agricultural related careers and opportunities. An improvement in the local environment to promote and support local agricultural systems.
Indicator: Youth pursuing Agricultural career opportunities and business opportunities. Youth selling their Agricultural products.
Method: Personal interviews, observations, 4-H Common Measures surveys
Timeline: 1-3-month follow-up to program implementation
Long-term Outcome: Adults and youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world.
Indicator: Number of individuals participating in a community service project related to natural resource conservation.
Method: Personal testimonials, follow-up surveys, observations
Timeline: 1-3-month follow-up to program implementation
As needed, the Extension Service will provide “Grab-N-Go" kits, virtual programs, and other alternative formats due to Covid-19.
Audience: Local 6-7th Grade Youth
Project or Activity: Youth Agriculture Expo
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture Awareness resources
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, volunteer leadership, community sponsors
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: ?Local Grain Farmers
Project or Activity: ?Monthly grain crops update meetings
Content or Curriculum: ?Local grain elevators, UK Specialists. ?
Inputs: ?UK Specialists, Local grain elevators, local farmers. ?
Audience: ?Local Grain Farmers
Date: ?Fall 2020 and Winter 2021
Audience: Local Youth (4th-8th grade)
Project or Activity: 4-H Jr. Master Gardeners
Content or Curriculum: Jr. Master Gardener curriculum and Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, public library, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: Summer 2020 and Summer 2021
Audience: Local Youth (Preschool - 3rd grade)
Project or Activity: 4-H Mini Master Gardeners
Content or Curriculum: Jr. Master Gardener curriculum and Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, public library, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: Spring 2020 and Spring 2021
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Project Clubs (Youth Livestock, Poultry, Rabbit, Horse, and Dog Clubs)
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum for Animal Science and Agriculture
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, public library, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Summer Project Workshops
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum for Horticulture and Gardening
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: Summer 2020 and Summer 2021
Audience: Farm and homeowners
Project or Activity: Field day events, winter meetings, monthly meetings for cattle producers and Beekeepers
Content or Curriculum: Information provided by the specific specialists
Inputs: BCCA, State Specialists, Local producers for field events, supporting agencies, SCS and FSA , KSU Area Agent
Date: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Farm and homeowners
Project or Activity: Industry visits, programs by UK Animal Science dept., program by KY Proud coordinator
Content or Curriculum: Information provided by the specific specialists
Inputs: BCCA, State Specialists, Local producers for field events, supporting agencies, BC Farmers’ Market, KSU Area Agent or Specialist
Date: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Farmers’ Market Vendors
Project or Activity: Bi-Annual Update and weekly visits on how to improve their marketability.
Content or Curriculum: Information provided by KY Proud, present market success
Inputs: local vendors, Extension Agent, consumer surveys
Date: 2020-2021
Audience: Public
Project or Activity: Sweet Corn Variety Trial, State Flower Garden Trial and local Garden Vegetable trials plus varieties provided through the KY MG Program
Content or Curriculum: ?Information provided by State Horticulture Specialists, local growers and Master Gardeners
Input: local market vendors, office staff, Detention Center, Master Gardeners, State Specialists, KY MG Program for plants, and seeds. Local meeting participants, KSU Area Agent
Date: 2020-2021
Audience: ?Families
Project or Activity: Farmers’ Market tastings and promotional activities
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up Kentucky Market, Farmers’ Market Tool Kit
Input: ?Sampling and promotional items to promote purchasing and eating locally grown produce.?
Date: ?Summer 2020
Audience: Small Farmers
Project or Activity: Small animal production
Content or Curriculum: KSU specialists
Input: Education, hands-on demonstration
Date: Spring 2021
Audience: Small Farmers
Project or Activity: Plastic Mulch
Content or Curriculum: KSU specialists
Input: Education, hands-on demonstration, equipment
Date: 2019-2021
Audience: Local Youth (4th Grade)
Project or Activity: 4-H Environmental Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum (Project WET, Project WILD, Forensic Entomology, etc.)
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, Kentucky 4-H Camp staff and facilities, volunteer leadership, community leaders, public schools, curriculum and program resources
Date: Fall 2020
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Bug Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Entomology curriculum, Butterfly WINGS curriculum, and other Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Outdoor Explorers Club
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum for Forestry, Geology, Entomology, and Stream Team (water quality)
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H shooting sports policies and certification, and other Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Adventurers Club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Entomology curriculum, Butterfly WINGS curriculum, Outdoor Adventures, and other Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents and facilities, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H School Clubs and Afterschool Programs
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, public school, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Local Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Project Workshops and Day Camps
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H approved curriculum (Geology, Forestry, Entomology, etc.)
Inputs: Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service (CES) agents, public school, volunteer leadership, curriculum and program resources
Date: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Local Farms
Project or Activity: Insect Traps set out in key areas, ie., Spotted Winged Drosophila, and Emerald Ash Borer
Content or Curriculum: Work with specialists in diagnosis and treatment
Inputs: local farms, Entomology specialists
Date: 2019-2020 program year
Audience: ?Local Farms and Farm store equipment operators
Project or Activity: Design, build and fund a SPRAY Table.
Content or Curriculum: UK spray guides
Inputs: ?local businesses, farms, UK Specialists-Plant Pathology, and Tobacco Specialists
Date: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Local Farms
Project or Activity: Cover crop meetings and conservation practices meeting.
Content or Curriculum: Work with specialists in analyzing problems and resolution to problems, i.e.?re-establish grass waterways, improve pasture and hay fields after 3 bad years of mudding. ?
Inputs: local farms, State and local NRCS office and local SCS, UK Specialists in the field of water management, forage establishment
Date: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Homeowners
Project: Raised bed gardening
Content or Curriculum: Work with Vegetable specialists to design crops for maximum use of raised beds, and other types of gardens in the Detention Center
Inputs: Adult Master Gardener Graduates, Fruit and Vegetable Specialists, Detention Center employees, Ag Agents. Increase utilization of YouTube videos and the Ag/Natural Resource and Horticulture Facebook page to improve the homeowner's gardens, raised bed gardens. In the recent days of the pandemic, families have gone ‘Back to the Basics’ to provide produce and meat for their families and their neighbors. Utilize the Extension Service Raised Beds for demonstrations and data gathering.
Date: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Detention Center participants
Content or Curriculum: Program designed by using Specialists and Publications on gardening on a budget, plus gardening small spaces
Project or Activity: Providing fresh fruits and vegetables
Inputs: Local detention center, Graduated Adult Master Gardeners, Extension Agents and UK Specialists
Date: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Detention Center participants
Content or Curriculum: Adult Master Gardener Program
Project or Activity: Adult Master Gardener Program
Inputs: Local Detention center, graduated Adult Master gardeners, Extension agents and UK Specialists
Date: 2020-2021 program year
Audience: Hay producers
Content: Master Hay Grazer
Project: Offer Master Hay Grazer Program, in person or virtually
Inputs: Specialists and Area Agents
Date: Fall 2020
Audience: Senior Citizens, Citizens with physical limitations
Content or Curriculum: ?Accessible gardening through UK Ag Engineering
Project or Activity: Develop feasible and accessible garden areas in small communities, increase places by 100%
Inputs: ?Master Gardeners, UK Ag Engineering, Extension Agent
Date: Summer 2020 and Fall 2021
Audience: ?Beef Producers
Content or Curriculum: ?
Project or Activity: Develop an IRM plan for the farms that meet the standards of the committee. Work through local farmers to implement new feeder calf study: PVAP
Inputs: ?Beef Specialists, Ag Agent, Local Veterinarian, and selected producers. ?
Date: Summer 2020 - Spring 2022
Audience: Beef Producers
Content or Curriculum: ROWLI videos, FACEBOOK Live program
Project or Activity: Bring in producers to utilize programs developed, create training schedule to bring producers in or virtually to offer the trainings
Inputs: Beef Specialists, Ag Agents, Local Veterinarian
Date: Winter 2020-2021
Audience: New Farm Owners
Content or Curriculum: Video Series by UK Specialists and Agents, ‘So You Bought a Farm
Project or Activity: Develop a schedule to view videos, discuss local resources available
Inputs: Video series, Ag/Natural Resource Agents, local businesses and accountants, lawyers
Date: Winter 2020 and Spring 2021
Audience: KY LTC participants, homeowners, Detention Center, local schools
Content or Curriculum: Hydroponic system for home and commercial use
Project or Activity: Erect Hydroponic system for demonstration evaluate use, feasibility for use in lunchrooms
Inputs: KSU Area Agent, CES agents
Date: Winter 2020 and Spring 2021
Audience: Grain Crops Scouting
Content or Curriculum:
Project or Activity: Develop a team of farm store field scouts that will assist in training a YOUTH scouting team, then compete in competitions
Inputs: Local scouts, Ag Extension Agent, UK Specialists
Date: Fall 2020-Fall 2021
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Youth Livestock Shows during a pandemicThe volunteers in the area really came together to make sure that the Rough River District Swine Show was a VERY SAFE and INVITING event for all involved. As the state began to shut down, the committee said they were still committed to hosting the Rough River District Swine Show. The Kentucky Department of Ag began to develop a safe operational plan, we were told that our show was going to be the first to roll it out in the swine showing arena w
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Breckinridge County Farmers Market was a huge success. Each time the market was open, the Facebook page was lit up with comments from vendors, comments from customers and even people in the community would comment if someone was looking for a locally grown product, they would refer them back to the Farmers Market. Finished out the Farmers Market season with the highest number of customers in years, produce still abundant. The utilization of WIC vouchers was up by 19% by the
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
New ways to teach old information.When the entire state was shut down in March of 2020 residents were in pandemic mode when it came to their daily grocery needs. I immediately began seeing Facebook posts and receiving texts on how to grow a garden, specifically, many people said, call the Breckinridge County Extension Office for information. Families were at home needing a positive project to engage the entire family in to keep their minds off the situation we were all in at the same time
Author: Carol Hinton
Major Program: Agriculture and Extension Leadership Development
Numerous phone calls and text among farmers and farm families helped to keep the days during the pandemic not so lonely for me as well as for the person on the other end of the communication. It became apparent really soon that farmers were still to go about their daily lives as they were considered essential and they still needed the same services that the Extension office provide to the the county. Our office stepped up to the need. We designed avenues for producers to the be
