Martin County CES

Title:

Planting Agricultural Roots

MAP:

Youth Agriculture and Natural Resources

Agents Involved:

Ag, FCS, 4-H

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Natural Resources

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Family and Consumer Science

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 a 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. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

·Youth will be agriculturally literate.

·Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services. 

·Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.

Intermediate Outcomes:

·Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.

·Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations. 

Initial Outcomes:

·Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems. 

·Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: 

Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?” (SEEC)

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?” (SEEC)

Method:  4-H Common Measures Experience Survey

Timeline:  Pre and Post Test

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator:

Number of youth who gained an understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food, fiber, and wood products 

Method:  4-H Common Measures Experience Survey

Timeline: Pre and Post Test

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator:

Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture programming 

Method:  4-H Common Measures Experience Survey

Timeline:  Pre and Post Test

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Preschool – 8^th Grade

Project or Activity:  Heritage Days

Content or Curriculum:  Acres of Adventures 1; Acres of Adventures 2; Bee Ambassadors;  Local Traditions  

Inputs:  Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Teachers, Resource Centers, Extension Funding, Donations, School System Funding, Martin County Schools, Martin County Beekeeper Association, Kentucky Farm Bureau, School System Facilities 

Dates: September – October 2021-2024

Audience:  Preschool – 8^th Grade

Project or Activity:  Earth Week Roundup

Content or Curriculum: Exploring Your Environment Series

Inputs: Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Teachers, Resource Centers, Extension Funding, Donations, School System Funding, Martin County Schools, Martin County Beekeeper Association, Kentucky Farm Bureau, School System Facilities

Dates:  Earth Week 2021-2024

Audience: Ages 9-18

Project or Activity:  JR Beekeepers

Curriculum: 4-H Bee Ambassador Program

Inputs:  Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Extension Funding, Donations, Martin County Beekeeper Association, Extension Facilities

Dates:  Year Round - Monthly Meetings

Audience: 9^th – 12^th Grade

Project or Activity:  4-H Poultry Program

Curriculum: Egg Preparation Demonstration; Kentucky 4-H Chicken and Turkey Barbeque Project; Kentucky 4-H Poultry: Barbeque Contests; National Avian Bowl Manual; ChickQuest: A Classroom Journey through the Life Cycle; ChickQuest Logbook; Hatching with my “Peeps” Embryology Countdown Calendar; Poultry Project and Record Book 

Inputs:  Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Extension
Funding, Donations, Extension Facilities

Dates: May – August 2021-2024

Audience:  4^th – 12^th Grade

Project or Activity:  4-H Summer Learning Camps

Curriculum: Acres of Adventures 1; Acres of Adventures 2; Learn, Grow, Eat and Go

Inputs: Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Teachers, Resource Centers, Extension Funding, Donations, School System Funding, Martin County Schools, Martin County Beekeeper Association, School System Facilities

Dates:  May, June 2021-2024

Audience: K-12^th Grade

Project or Activity:  4-H Horticulture Program

Curriculum: Junior Master Gardener Curricula; 4-H Gardening Levels A, B, C, D, and Helper’s Guide; Learn, Grow, Eat and Go

Inputs:  Curriculum, Extension Professionals, Volunteers, Teachers, Resource Centers, Extension Funding, Donations, School System Funding, Martin County Schools, Martin County Beekeeper Association, Kentucky Farm Bureau, School System Facilities

Dates:  August – May 2021 - 2024

Success Stories