AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT--2020Plan of Work

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Letcher County CES

Title:
AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES & ENVIRONMENT--2020
MAP:
Natural Resource and Environmental Education
Agents Involved:
SHAD BAKER, NANETTE BANKS, CRYSTAL SMITH
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Trail Design
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Natural Resources
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Situation:

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:

Long-term Outcomes:


Intermediate Outcomes:

 Intermediate Outcomes: 




Initial Outcomes:

Initial Outcomes:


Evaluation:


 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:


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







Success Stories

UK Forestry Partnership Promotes Maple Syrup Production State-wide

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

Full Story

Letcher Loppers and Little Letcher Loppers

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

Full Story

Produce Best Practices for Growers

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

Full Story

East Kentucky Bee School

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

Full Story
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