Extension
It Starts With Us
Improve Environmental Awareness and Natural Resouce Utilization
Environmental Awareness and Stewardship
Barnes 4-H, Heimgartner ANR
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Agriculture
Health
Natural Resources
Each decision individuals make has an impact on health and safety in the family, community and environment. Each year, on average, Kentuckians deal with 30-50 days associated with thunderstorms, 12 tornadoes and 3 fatalities related to tornadoes. Preparing for emergency situations can be crucial to survival and safety. Understanding how daily choices can impact our environment is vital to conserving and preserving our natural resources and ensuring a healthy environment for present and future generations. In 2017, Kentucky ranked 11th in total energy consumption and 7th in energy consumption per capita. In 2019, KY ranked 48 out of 50 states who recycle the most. In 2010, the statewide household participation rate for all curbside garbage collection types was 86.6%. In 2018, Kentuckians recycled 2,744,477 tons of common household recyclables increasing our recycling rate to 38.2% which is and increase from 35.7% in 2010.
Water and soil quality and health along with compliance of chemical use is vital for agriculture. Non-compliance can impact eligibility for cost share and/or federal funding, result in legal ramification, and loss of business. Extension encourages Integrated Pest Management and promotes the Kentucky Pollinator Protection Plan.
Kentucky has over 90,000 miles of streams and rivers. Many of these stream miles are impaired by pollution such as sediment, bacteria, and excess nutrients. Urban areas, agricultural areas, and construction sites are examples of sources of these pollutants. Landowners are often confused about how to manage challenges associated with streams on their property. Regulatory restrictions concerning stream maintenance can be confusing and many streams are subject to increased erosion, scoured streambanks, and pollution from adjacent land uses.
People, animals, and plants are dependent on our Earth's natural resources. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for our food production- these resources are vital to our existence. Therefore, it's important that we care for and respect these resources. Understanding how our daily choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for present and future generations.
-Maximize profits for commercial Ag producer
-Minimize environmental impact of air, soil, or living area
-Reduction of drift related complaints and damage
-Create safe homes within environments that promote and support the physical and mental well-being of families throughout the life cycle
-Youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative
technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world
-Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation
-Youth will utilize the scientific method to solve problems in their
daily life
-Youth will choose a career path in science, engineering or technology subject
matter
-Youth will utilize the scientific method in decision making
-Individuals will have a safer home and community by keeping hazardous and poisonous materials out of the reach of young children, elderly or those with visual impairment.
-Use diagnostic services to identify insects, disease, weeds
-Use diagnostic, agent, specialist recommendations
-Compare chemical options based on time, availability, cost, companion tactics
-Communicate with owners/users of pesticide-sensitive areas (beeyards, sensitive crops, etc.)
-Demonstrate skills to improve home safety, energy conservation, and going green
-Youth will make decisions in their daily lives that positively impact natural resources
-Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their
home and community
-Youth will use problem solving and logical reasoning skills and apply them
to environmental issues
-Youth will use and apply the skills gained from 4-H science, engineering and
technology
-Youth will demonstrate and share new abilities in science, engineering
and technology with others
-Individuals will assure that hazardous and poisonous materials are proper stored and labeled.
-Demonstrate proper use of sprayers and equipment related to application (calibration, nozzle selection, boom height, etc.)
-Identify active ingredients in chemical products and relate to modes of action
-Read and comprehend directions for applying chemicals (timing,application conditions)
-Gain knowledge on establishing pollinator habitats
-Youth will develop an interest in environmental science and sustainable
practices and technologies
-Youth will gain knowledge of the interrelationship and inter-dependencies
within an ecosystem
-Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their
home and community
-Youth will increase interest and engagement in science, engineering and
technology
-Youth will learn new skills in science, engineering and technology
-Youth will be introduced careers in SET
-Youth will participate in science, engineering and technology 4-H programs to acquire new skills
-Individuals will understand the importance of proper storage and labeling or hazardous and poisonous materials.
Initial Outcome: Producers able to demonstrate chemical safety processes
Indicator: Increased private applicators
Method: Increase training class numbers
Timeline: 2022-2025
Intermediate Outcome: Increased awareness of chemical application methods
Indicator: participation in programs for home owners/ gardeners
Method: surveys
Timeline: 2022-2025
Long-term Outcome: Reduced pollution and off target drift
Indicator: reduced calls about chemical injuries
Method: observe complaints and calls into the Extension office decrease
Timeline: 2022-2025
Initial Outcome: clients would learn ways to “go green”
Indicator: Number of attendees to the program
Method: educational programs
Timeline: 2022-2025
Intermediate Outcome: learn ways to be more “green” or environmentally sustainable in day-to-day life
Indicator: continued attendance of program
Method: survey
Timeline: 2022-2025
Long-term Outcome: evaluate and make changes in their day-to-day life to be more environmentally sustainable and green
Indicator: clients can see their behavior change
Method: survey
Timeline:2022-2025
Initial Outcome: Youth will understand the environmental and economic benefits of recycling & environmental stewardship
Indicator: Number of youth in clubs; number of youth participating in activities; school enrichment
Method: educational programs
Timeline: 2022-2025
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will participate in recycling activities and become aware of our natural resources
Indicator: Number of youth in clubs; number of youth participating in activities; school enrichment
Method: survey, curriculum, recycling programs; report from contest participation, data will be collected from county solid waste report
Timeline: 2022-2025
Long-term Outcome: Improve the amount of solid waste managed in county due to recycling and reusing, Youth take active roles in leading and teaching about environmental issues and use natural resources wisely
Indicator: Quality of materials being recycled, teens teaching younger youth about environmental issues
Method: survey; recycling programs; youth involved in clubs
Timeline: 2022-2025
Initial Outcome: Youth will learn about opportunities in SET
Indicator: Number of youth in clubs; number of youth participating in activities; school enrichment; day-camps
Method: educational programs
Timeline: 2022-2025
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will participate in SET activities and practice skills learned
Indicator: Number of youth in clubs; number of youth participating in activities; school enrichment
Method: survey, curriculum, event attendance
Timeline: 2022-2025
Long-term Outcome: Youth obtain careers in SET careers
Indicator: Number of youth obtaining higher education in SET areas
Method: surveys
Timeline: 2022-2025
Audience: Home owners and gardeners
Project or Activity: field days, demonstrations, educational programs, site visits
Content or Curriculum: Extension publications
Inputs: agents, specialists, government agencies (FSA, NRCS)
Date: 2022 and beyond
Audience: Private Spray Applicators
Project or Activity: Private Applicator Training
Content or Curriculum: training videos
Inputs: specialists, agents
Date: every winter and spring 2023
Audience: Adults and Youth
Project or Activity: Going green: living an environmentally responsible life; Trash Sculpture Contest, Shred Day, Aluminum Can Collection
Content or Curriculum: educational program, public display, media
Inputs: agents, specialists; local recycling centers, Regional Recycling Center, local businesses, volunteers, 4-H Council, Homemaker's
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Youth involved in clubs such as Shooting Sports and Agriculture and Natural Resource based clubs
Project or Activity: monthly meetings, contests, field trips
Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum; speakers
Inputs: agents, specialists; volunteers, local businesses
Date: 2022-2025
Audience: Youth involved in SET and Natural Resources School Enrichment
Project or Activity: 4th grade in school club
Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum
Inputs: agents, specialists; recycling centers, local businesses
Date: 2022-2025
Audience: Youth attending summer camp and forestry and environmental day camps
Project or Activity: Camps, Day camps
Content or Curriculum: UK Forestry/KY Div of Forestry, 4-H Curriculum, speakers
Inputs: agents, specialists; camp staff
Date: 2022-2025
Author: Dee Heimgartner
Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Rain water collection using rain barrels had been a question that ANR Agent Dee Heimgartner has fielded for a few years. To answer this question she partnered with the Four Rivers Basin coordinator to host a workshop with Crittenden County gardeners. The first class filled up with a waiting list including a few from the neighboring county. A second class was added to the schedule and included Livingston County ANR agent. A third class was hosted after a water conservation mandate was put in plac
Author: Dee Heimgartner
Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
The City of Marion, KY faced a water crisis during the summer of 2022. The lake the city uses as a water source developed a hole in the levee forcing the levee to be breached. While city leaders worked on funding and physical fixes to the problem, Crittenden County Extension and Crittenden County Public Library teamed up to provide the education needed for community members to conserve water.Utilizing UK Extension publications a quick one page infographic was developed that gave a brief overview
Author: Leslea Barnes
Major Program: Natural Resources
According to the article “Why Is environmental Education Important for Kids” on the website Rubricon, Environmental education promotes critical and creative thinking skills and inspires kids to become more engaged with their communities. It helps kids understand why the environment is important and provides them with the building blocks they need to live eco-friendly and sustainable lives. (https://www.rubicon.com/blog/environmental-education-for-kids) Many times youth do not h
