Extension
It Starts With Us
AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT--2020
Natural Resource and Environmental Education
SHAD BAKER, NANETTE BANKS, CRYSTAL SMITH
Agriculture
? Situation:
In 2012, the total market value of agricultural products sold in Letcher County was $133,000.13 · Of the total market value of agricultural products sold, 65.1% was the value of crops and 34.9% was the value of livestock, poultry, and their products.13 · The total farm production expenses (average per farm) was $5,604 compared to $62,002 for the state.13 · In Letcher County, there were 12 hired farm labor workers on 10 farms.13 · 98.2% of farms were operated by a family or an individual compared to 91.0% for the state.
? Long-term Outcomes:
Clientele will use responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home & community. Clientele will practice proper environmental stewardship that will conserve natural resources and the productivity of the land while maximizing the economic and social benefits. Clientele will utilize the farmers market to market produce.
? Intermediate Outcomes:
Clients will put knowledge gained from Extension programs into practice by using recommended Forestry and Horticultural practices. Clients will increase fruit and vegetable consumption. The number of farmers seeking access to equipment, master loggers, soil testing, etc. will increase. Land owners, youth and citizens recognize that forests and wildlife are renewable resources which can produce economic benefits and enjoyment for our community
? Initial Outcomes:
Requests for horticultural information will increase. Clients will value local food products and take steps to produce these crops. Farmers Market attendance and sales will increase. Increase in master logger or woodland owner participation. Increased demand for horticulture workshops.
Community leaders, landowners, youth, and citizens will gain knowledge of the use of recommended management practices and the effect of the proper use of these practices on the environment. Community leaders, land owners, youth and citizens value proper environmental stewardship practices and become aware of the impact of the decisions they make on the environment.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator:
? Evaluation
Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge and increase skills in environmental education
Indicator: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle initiatives implemented, county clean-up of streams/roadsides
Method: Observation & Program Evaluations
Timeline: On-going
Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge and increase skills in agricultural enterprises
Indicator: agricultural enterprises will be launched
Method: Observation & Program Evaluations
Timeline: On-going
Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge and increase skills in natural resources
Indicator: maple school, master logger, etc. programs utilized
Method: Observation & Program Evaluations
Timeline: On-going
Audience:
? Learning Opportunities
Audience: Producers, Homemakers, Youth, Senior Citizens, Community Members
Project or Activity: Horticultural Workshops, (Fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, Flowering Plants), Greenhouse Production, Livestock, Equine,
Content or Curriculum: UK publications/Power-points, Woodland Owner Short-course, Pesticide Certification Trainings, 4-H Curriculum, FCS Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Assistants & Specialists
Date: 2021-2024
Project or Activity: Produce Best Practices Training,
Content or Curriculum: KDA-approved curriculum (PBPT Power-Point),
Inputs: ANR and FCS Agents
Date: 2021-2024
Project or Activity: Greenhouse- Basics of Horticulture, Season Extenders
Content or Curriculum: AG and 4-H curriculums
Inputs: AG, FCS and 4 H Agents, Lee Adams and Mitch Whitaker (assistants) and Extension Staff
Date: 2021-2024
Project or Activity: Maple Sugaring, Shiitake, Ginseng Workshop, Cooking w/ Maple, Shiitake Recipes, Maple School, Ky Maple Syrup Association
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point, Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: AG, FCS and 4H Agents, Program Assistants and/or UK Specialists, Volunteer Leaders
Date: 2021-2024
Project or Activity: Raptor Program/Falconry
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: Program Assistant, FCS & 4-H Agents and/or UK Specialists.
Date: 2021-2024
Project or Activity: Trail Programs (Pine Mountain Trail, Tanglewood Trail, Bike Trail, and Pioneer Horse Trail)
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: Agents and/or UK Specialists, Volunteer Leaders
Date: 2021-2024
Project or Activity: Woodland Owner Short Course
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: ANR Agent and/or UK Specialists
Date: 2021-2024
Project or Activity: Tourism Hikes, Wellness Walks
Content or Curriculum: Get Moving Kentucky, Couch Potato Challenge, Tree ID Booklets, Plant ID Publications
Input: AG, FCS and 4H Agents and Assistants, Volunteer Leaders
Date: 2021-2024
Project or Activity: Pollinator Promotion, Beekeeping, Honey Day
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Workshops & Demonstrations, 4-H Curriculum
Input: Agents & Assistants, Seeds, Volunteer Leaders
Date: 2021-2024
Project or Activity: Pumpkin Days
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum, FCS Curriculum, ANR Publications
Inputs: Agents & Assistants, Staff
Date: 2021-2024
Project or Activity: Homemaker Leader Lessons
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Lessons
Inputs: Quicksand Area FCS Agents
Date: 2021-2024
Project or Activity: Green Living
Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent & Assistant
Date: 2021-2024
Project or Activity: Rabbit and Horse Clubs
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Agent & Assistant
Date: 2021-2024
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Policy, Systems, and Environmental Changes
Demand for Extension Programming continues despite the pandemic, and our agents had to adapt teaching strategies to meet that need. Agents in Letcher and Harlan partnered with agents in neighboring Virginia to offer the Mountain Zoom Series of virtual classes. The programs occurred two evenings each week and spanned topics from natural resources such as forestry, truffles and wildlife to agricultural subjects on small ruminants, gardening, drones and drip irrigation and disaster preparedness top
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
The fourth annual Kentucky Maple School, hosted by the UK Cooperative Extension Service agents and specialists, was transitioned to a virtual format to insure public safety while continuing to advance Kentucky's developing maple syrup industry. Agriculture & Natural Resources agents, Shad Baker and Jeremy Williams, worked with the UK Forestry Department to coordinate the technical components, advertise the meeting, and recruit the speakers. Topics included growing your operation from 25
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Community Strategic Planning
Only precious few projects can claim humble origins with large, unanticipated outcomes. Twenty-two years ago, the UK Cooperative Extension Service helped launch a simple footpath along Pine Mountain. At the time, the thought was that it would help showcase the region and serve as a nature-based tourism catalyst. With the project recently achieving a 60-mile milestone by connecting the Breaks Interstate Park in Pike County to the Kingdom Come State Park in Letcher and Harlan Counties, it seemed f
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy
The confinement and stress associated with travel restrictions, familial isolation and lack of personal interactions has taken a heavy toll on Kentuckians. Gardening is widely known as a therapeutic activity and one in which your UK Extension Service excels. To help reach those in need, the Letcher Co. Office partnered with the Harlan Co. KY and Wise Co. Virginia ANR Agents to offer Zoom classes for interested clientele. Offerings included Basic Gardening, Unconventional Gardening, Growing Melon
