Extension
It Starts With Us
AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT--2020
Natural Resource and Environmental Education
SHAD BAKER, NANETTE BANKS, CRYSTAL SMITH
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Trail Design
Natural Resources
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Situation:
According to 2017 Census of Ag, the total market value of agricultural products sold in Letcher County was $138,000, which was only a slight increase over the previous five-year census. The land in farms is 5,623 total acres on 103 farms. There are only 48 acres in croplands. The estimated market value of these farms is $163,784. These numbers show that Letcher County has a very small agricultural economy relative to other counties in the state. This is likely due to the very mountainous terrain. However, niche crops that take advantage of the local farmers market and interest in specialty crops shows promise, as it has accounted for almost all crop value growth. Niche crops of interest and promise for local clientele include honeybees, maple syrup, small fruits (blueberries, brambles, etc.), and mushrooms.
The economy is in the process of finding its footing after the rapid decline in value and depletion of the coal industry. In its place is an interest in tourism, and nature-based activities. The tourism task force has placed a strong emphasis on trails, with the Pine Mountain Trail/Great Eastern Trail hiking trails, Tanglewood Bike Trail, the Pioneer Horse Trail and regional ATV trails being central. Public support for advancing these programs was requested during Letcher County Needs Assessment and County Extension Council meetings. Coupled with these projects is a need for litter abatement, recycling, and green-living and work on natural resource management, which includes timber management.
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.
- Clientele will volunteer for community projects such as trail construction, litter pick-up, stream and river clean-ups.
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.
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
Outcome: Participants will gain a knowledge and increase skills in tourism development
Indicator: Volunteer in tourism projects and task force committees will occur
Method: Observation and Program Evaluations
Timeline: On-going
Learning Opportunities
Audience: Producers, Homemakers, Youth, Senior Citizens, Community Members
Project or Activity: Horticultural Workshops
Content or Curriculum: UK publications/Power-points, Woodland Owner Short-course, Pesticide Certification Trainings, 4-H Curriculum, FCS Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Assistants & Specialists
Date: Spring 2021, Summer 2021
Project or Activity: Produce Best Practices Training,
Content or Curriculum: KDA-approved curriculum (PBPT Power-Point),
Inputs: ANR and FCS Agents
Date: Spring 2021
Project or Activity: Greenhouse- Basics of Horticulture, Season Extenders
Content or Curriculum: AG and 4-H curriculums
Inputs: AG, FCS and 4 H Agents,, Assistants and Extension Staff
Date: Fall 2021
Project or Activity: Non-Timber Forest Products (Maple, Ginseng, Shiitake)
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: Fall 2021, Winter 2022
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: Summer 2021
Project or Activity: Trail Programs (Pine Mountain Trail, Tanglewood Trail, Bike Trail, and Pioneer Horse Trail)
Content or Curriculum: Leopold Education Project, CEDIK Materials, Publications, Power-point Demonstrations, Newspaper Articles, Radio and TV Shows, Program Funds and Community Resources
Inputs: ANR Agent, Assistant and/or UK Specialists, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Spring 2021, Fall 2021
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: Fall 2021
Project or Activity: Tourism Hikes, Wellness Walks
Content or Curriculum: Get Moving Kentucky, Couch Potato Challenge, Tree ID Booklets, Plant ID Publications, Leopold Education Project
Input: ANR, FCS and 4H Agents and Assistants, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Summer 2021, Fall 2021
Project or Activity: Pollinator Promotion,
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Workshops & Demonstrations, 4-H Curriculum
Input: ANR, FC S, 4-H Agents & Assistants, Seeds, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Spring 2021
Project or Activity: Beekeeping
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Workshops & Demonstrations, 4-H Curriculum
Input: ANR, FC S, 4-H Agents & Assistants, Seeds, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Spring 2021
Project or Activity: Honey Day, A Bee's Life, 4-H Bee Ambassador Program
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Workshops & Demonstrations, 4-H Curriculum
Input: ANR, FC S, 4-H Agents & Assistants, Seeds, Volunteer Leaders
Date: Summer 2022
Project or Activity: Pumpkin Days
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum, FCS Curriculum, ANR Publications
Inputs: ANR, FCS, 4-H Agents & Assistants, Staff
Date: Fall 2021
Project or Activity: The Buzz about Honey
Content or Curriculum: KEHA Lessons
Inputs: Quicksand Area FCS Agents
Date: February 2022
Project or Activity: Green Living
Content or Curriculum: FCS Curriculum
Inputs: FCS Agent & Assistant
Date: Spring 2022
Project or Activity: Master Naturalists & 4-H Master Naturalists
Content or Curriculum: Master Naturalist Curriculum, Backyards & Beyond, Exploring Your Environment
Inputs: ANR and 4H agents and assistants
Date: Winter 2022
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Agents in Letcher and Harlan Counties have partnered with specialists from the University of Kentucky Forestry Department to deliver research-based information to producers through online and in-person programs as part of a $200,000 USDA ACER grant. The two-part program covers the basics of maple syrup production and a more advanced look at options available to boost production and profitability in the state. The in-person segments include tours to an established maple producer utilizing advance
Author: Crystal Smith
Major Program: Agriculture
Letcher County 4-H youth that are in horse club have an absolute blast. The youth that have been with the Letcher Loppers since starting back in 2019 are now mentoring the young youth that have joined this year in 2021. Letcher County has three that are certified leaders in horse club and three other volunteers that are very dedicated and help with horse club weekly and a partnership has been made with the farm at The Stables at Creekside Glen. This has created some great youth adul
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Letcher County Extension Service partners with the City of Whitesburg farmers market to train producers on safe production and food-handling techniques to safe-guard our food supply. The program is an annual requirement to sell at the market, ensuring that all growers have a refresher before the growing season begins. The program utilizes materials developed by the University of Kentucky along with state & federal partners. This year's series taught 76 clientele, with 92% scoring a 1
Author: Shad Baker
Major Program: Beekeeping
The 12th East Kentucky Winter Beekeeping School was held virtual again in January 2022 due to a winter Covid surge. A virtual School, like this one, is challenging but the committee, made up of local Beekeepers, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture state Apiarist and Extension Agents from Perry, Harlan, Floyd and Letcher Counties, worked extremely hard to pull off another successful virtual event. Even with the virtual event, this was the highest a
