Extension
It Starts With Us
Natural Resources and the Environment
Natural Resources & the Environment
Samantha Gamblin, Paul Adkins, Lorilee Kunze, Ruth Chowning, ANR Agent
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Natural Resources
Bullitt County is a rapidly urbanizing county with diminishing traditional agriculture. This continual rapid increase in the suburban population has led to a large non-rural population that has limited knowledge of rural environments, natural resources, and sustaining those for future generations. Local leadership identified a need for educational programming in this area to help protect and beautify our county's natural resources.
This continual rapid increase in the suburban population in Bullitt County is resulting in a steady decrease in the agricultural utilization of its land. As a result, education and information in the fields of small farming, farm succession, home horticulture and urban gardening is severely lacking in suburban areas. Due to this dynamic there is an increasing need for educational assistance on natural resources and environmental issues throughout Bullitt County.
Participants will practice sustainable growing practices and have less negative impact on the environment
Participants will gain gardening skills to promote health and wellness
Improved herd quality
Participants will be able to teach others how to properly fish and hunt in Kentucky
Participant will improve curb appeal and energy efficiency of their homes through their landscape
Participants will improve overall health and wellness by being more active in outdoor activities
Participants will test soil and continue monitoring soil health to improve production and sustainability
Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems
Participants will increase access to healthy food via local Farmer’s Market, food retailers and home gardens
Participants will use fewer pesticides and improve pesticide safety
Participants will develop a nutrient management plan for cattle
Participants will implement hunting and fishing skills on private or public land
Participants will improve their current landscape by practicing learned skills
Participants will improve production of homegrown fruits and vegetables
Participants will test their soil
Increase of participation in local beekeeping association.
Increase number of hives in county.
Decrease number of hives lost to disease and other factors.
Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food
Students will improve food and nutrition-related knowledge and skills through simple gardening
Increase knowledge of producing high quality cattle
Increase awareness for fishing and hunting in Bullitt County
Participants will gain skills about gardening
Participants will gain knowledge about proper use and handling of pesticides and pesticide safety
Participants gain knowledge about soil health and soil testing
Participants will gain knowledge about identifying insects
Participants reduce stress through gardening
Increase producers' knowledge of beekeeping.
Increase knowledge of good agricultural practices.
Participants increase knowledge of beekeeping.
Youth will gain an understanding of healthy and sustainable food systems
Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food
Outcome: Growing food at home
Indicator: Number of students who report using knowledge and skills to plant, care for and grow vegetables
Method: Self-reported survey; parent reported behaviors
Timeline: Pre- post program and 3-month follow-up
Outcome: Increase Agriculture Production and Profitability
Indicator: Higher production and increased profits
Method: Self-reporting, observation
Timeline: Pre and Post program, year-to-year over the next 5 years
Outcome: Increase knowledge and skills for Fishing and Hunting in KY
Indicator: Increase in people fishing and hunting in Bullitt County
Method: Self-reporting, observation
Timeline: Pre- and Post- trainings, 1-year follow-up
Intermediate Outcome: Participants follow through with soil test and amend soil properly
Indicator: Soil test submission and follow up phone call
Method: Written and oral
Timeline: July - June
Long Term Outcome: Participants continues to monitor soil health and use integrated methods to improve soil health
Indicator: Repeated soil testing and follow up
Method: Written and oral
Timeline: July - June
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will be able to select tree varieties for home plantings. They will gain better fruit tree management skills.
Indicator: Tree plantings and health of est. trees
Method: Observed and verbal
Timeline: July - June
Intermediate Outcome: Participants gain knowledge of how to plant more functional and efficient landscapes and gardens
Indicator: Pre/post survey
Method: Written, verbal
Timeline: July - June
Initial Outcome: Participants gain knowledge about identifying insects
Indicator: Pre/Post Test
Method: Written
Timeline: July - June
Initial Outcome: Participants gain knowledge about beekeeping
Indicator: Pre/Post survey
Method: Verbal
Timeline: July - June
Outcome: Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food
Indicator: Helping adults or parents maintain a garden, maintaining own garden
Method: Written evaluation, youth and parent testimonials
Timeline: On-going
Outcome: Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems
Indicator: Involvement in 4-H Jr Master Gardener and (long-term) Master Gardener Program, local Farmer’s Markets, or community action
Method: Youth and parent testimonials, participation
Timeline: On-going
Project or Activity: Gardening class for Tomatoes and Peppers
Content or Curriculum: UK horticulture publications, SNAP Ed resources, Organ Annie curriculum
Inputs: Volunteers, community partners, SNAP Ed Toolkit, FCS Agent
Date: Summer 2021
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: Raising the Steaks Beef Program
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Guest Speakers
Inputs: ANR Agents, Extension Specialist, Community Partners
Date: September - November 2021
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Hook and Cook, Field to Fork
Content or Curriculum: KY Fish and Wildlife Programs
Inputs: KY Fish and Wildlife Staff, ANR Agent, Extension Specialist
Date: July 2021 to June 2022
Audience: Bullitt County General Public
Activity: Gardening Season Series
Content: U of K pubs, gardening curriculum
Inputs: Various plants and demonstrative materials, volunteers, agents, specialists
Date: July 2021 - June 2022
Audience: Producers, General Public
Activity: Fruit Production Series
Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs, local expert
Inputs: U of K Publications, grafting equipment, rootstock, specialists
Date: July 2021 - June 2022
Audience: General Public
Activity: Homeowners’ Toolbox Series
Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs
Inputs: KY Dept. of Forestry Publications, U of K Publications
Date: July 2021 to June 2022
Audience: General Public
Activity: Biodiversity Series
Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs
Inputs: KY Dept. of Forestry Publications
Date: July 2021- June 2022
Audience: General Public
Activity: Beekeeping Series Classes
Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs, local experts
Inputs: KY Dept. of Forestry Publications, U of K pubs, state and local associations
Date: July 2021 - June 2022
Audience: Youth, Elementary
Activity: 4-H Jr. Master Gardener Program
Content or Curriculum: KY 4-H/Texas A&M AgriLife-Jr. Master Gardener Curriculum
Inputs: Extension Staff, KY 4-H/Horticulture Resources, volunteers, approved Jr. Master Gardener Curriculum from Texas A&M
Date: Spring 2022
Author: Samantha Gamblin
Major Program: Camping
The greatest thing we can give youth is to teach them skills that will last for a lifetime, which is why parents have been sending their kids to 4-H summer camps for decades. 4-H was established on the belief that when kids are empowered to follow their passions their skills grow and help them to become true leaders. 4-H camp, kids learn critical life skills like resilience and independence. If we want our kids to be able to bounce back from adversity, stress, challenges and failures, teaching t
Author: Lorilee Kunze
Major Program: Plant Disease ID
Dogwood tree suffering decline due to poor soil quality and high pH.The availability and cost of landscape diagnostic services are prohibitive to community members and lead to the loss of valuable landscape features causing stress and financial burden. According to Home Advisor the average cost of Landscape Diagnostic services is $940 per visit. According to Go Tree Quotes the average cost of an arborist report is $450. The Extension service provides the public with the service for f
Author: Samantha Gamblin
Major Program: Natural Resources
The 4-H Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRESci) Academy is a three-year program designed to teach middle-school age youth about their natural environment. In 2011, the Academy began as a pilot 4-H program with 18 scholars from eight eastern counties. As of 2021, the Academy has grown to a statewide 4-H program with 65 scholars and ambassadors from 20 counties.The main objectives of the program are that participants, referred to as scholars and ambassadors, will Have a greater
Author: Samantha Gamblin
Major Program: Natural Resources
Bullitt County becomes a “Certified County.” Bullitt County was one of the eight counties in the state to become certified as a Kentucky 4-H Bee Ambassador Program “Certified County.” This certification was received because of the efforts from 4-H Agents, Horticulture Agent and Bulitt County Beekeepers Association. Bullitt County received this certification because of combined efforts to educate youth and adults about honey bees and other pollinators, installa
Author: Lorilee Kunze
Major Program: Natural Resources
This past year the Bullitt County Extension Horticulture Porgram collaborated with the 4H Program and the Bullitt County Beekeepers' Association to begin a 4H Youth Beekeeping and Bee Ambassadors Program. The 4-H Bee Ambassador Program addresses key concepts related to bees, pollination, beekeeping, and honey. Horticulture and 4-H agents, the Horticulture assistant, and Beekeeping Association volunteer leaders incorporated lessons and activities related to bees and honey, pollinators and nat
Author: Nathan Rider
Major Program: Tornado Response and Recovery
On Dec. 11, 2021, several tornados tore through many communities across Kentucky. The community of Dawson Springs suffered severe damage from a tornado near the West KY 4-H Camp operated by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. Centrally located, the camp became a logistical hub for relief work; however, a Boil Water Advisory complicated relief efforts at every turn. Without safe drinking water, cooking, cleaning, rehydrating, and bathing were all made more difficult. Camp st
Author: Nathan Rider
Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
In the fall of 2021, the Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) Agent from Bullitt County Cooperative Extension Services determined that although there are many sheep and goat producers in Bullitt County, sheep and goat programs have not been offered recently by nearby county offices of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. In cooperation with neighboring county extension agents, the Bullitt County ANR Agent delivered an interest survey to regional producers. Over 37 produce
Author: Victoria Riehemann
Major Program: Agriculture
Bullitt County has become increasingly more suburban which has led to a decrease in knowledge about agriculture at all levels; this data has led local leadership to identify a need for more agriculture and natural resources programs. From this data, the Bullitt County Cooperative Extension office determined various short- and long-term goals dealing with increasing agricultural knowledge. For youth, these goals included gaining gardening skills to improve their knowledge over food and nutrition.
Author: Nathan Rider
Major Program: Beef
Bullitt County’s geography and proximity to the Louisville Metro Area make it home to many part-time farmers holding a second, off-farm job. 90% of the 486 farms in Bullitt County reported less than $25,000 in annual sales in the 2017 Ag Census. However, being a part-time farmer is no less work when farm labor occurs before and after long shifts at a day job. The members of the Bullitt County Cattlemen’s Association are no exception to the hardworking character of Bullitt County farm
Author: Ruth Chowning
Major Program: Local Food Systems
There are only 486 farms in Bullitt County according to the 2017 USDA Ag Census, a number that shrinks each year. As such, there are fewer and fewer opportunities for children in the county to gain perspective on the source of their food. To address the farm-to-food disconnect in April 2022, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in Bullitt County welcomed 125 students from Mount Washington Elementary for a day of hands-on learning at the 2022 Youth Farm Field Day. Students v
Author: Nathan Rider
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
There are only 486 farms in Bullitt County according to the 2017 USDA Ag Census, a number that shrinks each year. As such, there are fewer and fewer opportunities for children in the county to gain perspective on the source of their food. To address the farm-to-food disconnect in April 2022, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in Bullitt County welcomed 125 students from Mount Washington Elementary for a day of hands-on learning at the 2022 Youth Farm Field Day. Studen
Author: Lorilee Kunze
Major Program: Agriculture
There are only 486 farms in Bullitt County according to the 2017 USDA Ag Census, a number that shrinks each year. As such, there are fewer and fewer opportunities for children in the county to gain perspective on the source of their food. To address the farm-to-food disconnect in April 2022, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in Bullitt County welcomed 125 students from Mount Washington Elementary for a day of hands-on learning at the 2022 Youth Farm Field Day. Students vi
