Extension
It Starts With Us
Environmental Education
Environmental Education
Rebecca Konopka, Rebecca Hayes
Science, Engineering, and Technology
Agriculture
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Integrated Pest Management
Forests cover 48% of Kentucky and are mostly privately owned. These forests provide numerous environmental benefits such as improved air, water, and wildlife habitat. Our forests also contribute significantly to our economy with a Kentucky forest industry who employs approximately 60,000 and contributes more than $13 billion annually to the Kentucky economy. Kentucky’s forests can be healthier and more productive by implementing sustainable forest management and utilization practices.
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 food production – these resources are vital to our existence. Therefore, it is 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.
Youth and clientele need to learn scientific research techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that positively address science, engineering, and technology issues in Kentucky and globally. Through the Land Grant University and Extension system, 4-H can expand its impact and extend its reach in science, engineering, and technology (4-H SET) by providing opportunities for hands-on scientific learning and discovery in 4-H clubs
Youth will choose a career path in science, engineering or technology subject matter. Youth will utilize the scientific method in decision in making. Youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will solve problems in their community and positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world. Participants will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
Sustainable Kentucky agriculture will minimize environmental impact.
Kentucky’s trees and forests are better protected and managed.
Kentuckians have an enhanced ability to address a variety of forest health, management and utilization related issues, resulting in: increased revenue, increased forest productivity, improved water quality and improved forest health.
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. Youth will practice scientific methods learned from 4-H. Teens will mentor younger 4-H’ers in science, engineering and technology. Youth will use problem solving and logical reasoning skills and apply them to environmental issues.
Forest health, management and utilization activities/practices that support sustainable forests are implemented.
Individuals make more informed decisions regarding managing and utilizing forest resources.
Individuals complete Ky Pesticide Applicators Training resulting in:
Use personal protection equipment
Updated spray program
Adapt for good practices in chemical handling, storage and/or disposal
Evaluate weather conditions before applying chemicals
Alter existing spray program to reduce likelihood of resistance development or non-target impacts
Individuals implement best practices to:
• improve soil health
• conserve soil and/or water
• increase soil organic matter
• improve soil structure for water infiltration or retention
• increase ground cover for soil protection
• improve water quality
• protect stream banks or stream buffers
• plant native plants
Youth will increase interest and engagement in natural resources, science, engineering, and technology.
Youth will learn new skills in natural resources, science, engineering, and technology.
Youth will be introduced to careers in SET and natural resources.
Youth will develop an interest in environmental science and sustainable practices and technologies.
Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community.
Individuals will have a change in awareness and understanding of:
• Environmental, social, and economic importance of trees
• Threats facing forests and their utilization
• Forest health, management and utilization practices
Integrated Pest Management practices
Chemical safety and storage
Water quality
Initial Outcome: Youth will increase interest and engagement in natural resources, science, engineering, and technology.
Indicator: Participation increases in 4-H SET and natural resource programming.
Method: Win With Wood, Forestry Field Days, NRESci Academy, etc.
Timeline: Ongoing
Initial Outcome: Participants learn proper pesticide usage
Indicator: Successful completion of the Private Applicator Training
Method: Private Application Trainings
Timeline: Spring
Initial Outcome: Youth will learn new skills in natural resources.
Indicator: 4th grade students complete leaf collections.
Method: School Enrichment; 4-H Leaf Collection Project
Timeline: August - October
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will learn new skills in Natural Resources
Indicator: NRESci Academy
Method: State meetings at different state parks
Timeline: September-August
Long-term Outcome: Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
Indicator: 4-H members complete community service projects
Method: Natural Resources & Environmental Science (NRESci) Academy
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Middle & High School Students
Project or Activity: 4-H NRESci Academy
Content or Curriculum: 4-H & UK Natural Resources Curriculum
Inputs: Staff, Industry Professionals, Specialists
Date: September – July
Audience: 4-H members
Project or Activity: Forestry Field Days, Win With Wood
Content or Curriculum: UK Forestry materials
Inputs: Staff, volunteers, specialists
Date: September – October
Audience: 4th & 5th grade classrooms
Project or Activity: Exploring Your Environment Science Days & Project WET History Days
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Exploring Your Environment, Electricity, Entomology, Aerospace, Project WET
Inputs: teachers, staff
Date: January – April
Audience: Elementary Classrooms
Project or Activity: Butterfly Life Cycles
Content or Curriculum: Butterfly WINGS
Inputs: teachers, staff
Date: April – May
Audience:4th Grade Classrooms
Project or Activity:4-H Leaf Collections
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Forestry
Inputs: teachers, staff
Date: August - October
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator’s Certification
Content or Curriculum: Private Pesticide Applicator’s Certification
Inputs: Training Guides & Videos
Date: Spring
Audience: Farmers & Landowners
Project or Activity: Newsletters, Farm Visits, Social Media, Field Days, Meetings, Online Webinars
Content or Curriculum: UK Forestry Publications, Exclusives
Inputs: UK Specialists, Agents, NRCS, Division of Forestry, Carter Caves State Resort Park
Date: January - December
Audience: Beekeepers
Project or Activity: Little Sandy Beekeepers Association
Content or Curriculum: UK & KSU Beekeeping Publications
Inputs: Specialists, KDA, Agents
Date: February - December
Audience: Local Residents
Project or Activity Hike & Learn
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications, Field Guides
Inputs: Specialists, Agents, US Army Corp of Engineers, KY State Parks
Date: March - October
Author: Rebecca Hayes
Major Program: Natural Resources
Carter County took 8 youth to the Win With competition. There were 3 juniors and 4 seniors. Every youth from the county that participated received at least a blue ribbon in one or more categories. We had the 2nd and 3rd overall in the junior division, and 1st and 2nd overall in the senior division. 3 of the youth, it was their first Win With Wood and general forestry competition. The others had participated in at least one prior to this event. Everyone did better than they personally expected, a
Author: Rebecca Hayes
Major Program: Natural Resources
4-H Forestry Field DayUK Forestry and Natural ResourcesCarter Caves State Resort Park 4-H youth from Carter, Elliott, Fayette and Robertson counties attended the 4-H Forestry Field Day at Carter Caves State Resort Park, on October 20, 2022. The more than 25 youth had the opportunity to learn about Kentucky’s trees and forests as well as some of the skills that real-life foresters utilize everyday while on the job. The youth aged 9 to 13 (Juniors) and 14 to 18 (Seniors) years of age we
Author: Rebecca Konopka
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Grayson is known as “the heart of the parks” because of its proximity to three local state parks. A local leader heard about other counties offering hiking clubs while attending the Kentucky Volunteer Forum several years ago. After she approached the ANR Agent in 2020 about starting a hiking program in Carter County, the Hike & Learn series was created. Due to the pandemic, programming did not start until 2021. The ANR & 4-H Agents worked to
Author: Rebecca Konopka
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
According to the Kentucky Energy & Environment Cabinet, Kentucky is second in the United States for the most diverse hardwood species mix. Forty-eight percent or 12.4 million acres of Kentucky is forestland and eighty-eight percent of Kentucky's forestland is owned by private landowners. The 2017 Census of Agriculture shows that 38% of the farmland in Carter County is woodlands. Grayson is also known as the “heart of the parks” because of its close proximit
