Extension
It Starts With Us
Environmental Stewardship
Agriculture Enhancement and Sustainability
Joyce Doyle and Thomas Mann
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Integrated Pest Management
Natural Resources
The quality and health of water and soil, 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.
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.
According to the 2019 Carroll County Community Assessment, the top priority in Agriculture & Environment was less illegal dumping and littering, which can impact pollution. Members of the Carroll County Agricultural Development Council agreed this topic was an area of focus for Extension Programming in Environmental Stewardship.
- Minimize the environmental impact on air, soil, and water.
- Carroll County Youth will:
- Use scientific techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world.
- Be engaged in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
- Be environmentally literate.
- Make informed decisions and take responsible action regarding natural resources conservation, protection, and restoration.
- Be advocates for environmental sustainability and stewardship.
- Producers and residents complete Kentucky Private Pesticide Applicator Training, and are trained in Worker Protection Standards.
- Producers and landowners complete or update their Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Plan.
- Producers and landowners complete their Kentucky Nutrient Management Plan.
- Producers, landowners, and resident adopt best management practices to improve soil health and water quality.
- Carroll County Youth will:
- Adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.
- Use problem solving and logical reasoning skills and apply them to environmental issues.
- Explain the importance and role of natural resources in daily life.
- Utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H natural resources and environmental projects and clubs, and life situations.
- Develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership
- Producers, landowners, and residents gain knowledge in:
- Integrated Pest Management practices
- Best management practices for farm ponds, streams (both farm and backyard), and soil health
- Carroll County Youth will:
- Learn shooting sports safety as well as shooting sports disciplines
- Gain knowledge and skills in environmental sciences and natural resources content.
- Gain an understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship.
- Become aware of the importance of clean water
- Know about watersheds
- Understand the value of trees and careers in forestry through our wood science club
- Learn how to make an electric circuit and make an electric item
- Learn shooting sports safety and will be taught gun disciplines as well as archery
Outcome:
Long-term
Indicator:
Producers, landowners, and residents put best management practices into place. Number of youth completed 4-H natural resources projects in the community.
Method:
Surveys of producers, landowners, and residents. Follow-up surveys with youth.
Timeline:
2 – 4 years
Outcome:
Intermediate
Indicator:
Increase in number of Private Applicator Pesticide Trainings, Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Plans, and Kentucky Nutrient Management Plans completed. Number of youth who adopted best management practices in 4-H Natural Resources.
Method:
Monthly statistics. Surveys of 4-H Members in Natural Resources.
Timeline:
1 – 1 ½ years
Outcome:
Initial
Indicator:
Increase in knowledge gained during programs and activities.
Method:
Surveys and evaluations of program participants.
Timeline:
6 months – 2 years
Audience:
Carroll County Producers and Landowners
Project or Activity:
Kentucky Ag Water Quality Plan
Content or Curriculum:
Encourage all producers to have an up-to-date and complete KYAWQ Plan on file with the Carroll County Conservation District.
Inputs:
Extension Agents, Staff Assistant, Carroll County Conservation District, KYAWQ Plan website, Extension resources (publications), Time
Date:
All throughout the year
Audience:
Carroll County Producers, Landowners, and Residents
Activity:
Private Pesticide Applicator Training and Certification
Content or Curriculum:
UK Private Pesticide Applicator Certification Program
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time
Date:
January/February 2023
January/February 2024
Audience:
Carroll County Producers, Landowners, and Residents
Activity:
Kentucky Nutrient Management Plan Workshop
Content or Curriculum:
ID-211: Kentucky Nutrient Management Planning Guidelines (KyNMP)
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, UK Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time
Date:
Fall 2023
Audience:
Carroll County Youth
Activity:
Environmental Science
Content or Curriculum:
Project Wet, Watershed Publications
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Volunteers, Carrollton Utilities, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time, Money
Date:
October—June 2022 - 2023
October—June 2023 - 2024
Audience:
Carroll County Youth
Activity:
Electricity
Content or Curriculum:
Snap Circuit Kits, 4-H Wire It Up Curriculum
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Volunteers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time, Money
Date:
October 2022
April 2023
October 2023
April 2024
Audience:
Carroll County Youth
Activity:
4-H Wood Science
Content or Curriculum:
Forestry Publications.
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Volunteers, Time, Money
Date:
Fall 2022-2024
Audience:
Carroll County Youth
Activity:
4-H Shooting Sports
Content or Curriculum:
Shooting Sports Policy and Procedures
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Volunteers, Parents, Equipment (Firearms, Throwers, Archery Targets, Ammunition), Time, Money
Date:
April – September 2022
April – September 2023
April – September 2024
Audience:
Carroll County Youth
Activity:
4-H Camp
Content or Curriculum:
Life skills, survival in the outdoors.
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Extension Staff, Volunteers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Extension 4-H Specialists, 4-H Camping Staff, Money, Time
Date:
Summer 2022
Summer 2023
Summer 2024
Audience:
Carroll County community members
Activity:
Tree ID trail at Camp Kysoc
Content or Curriculum:
A marked trail with examples of and information about several tree species at Camp Kysoc
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Friends of Camp Kysoc, Money, Time
Date:
Summer 2022
Audience:
Carroll county community members and tourists
Activity:
Camp Kysoc Arboretum
Content or Curriculum:
Developing an arboretum at Camp Kysoc to register tree species and for public education
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Friends of Camp Kysoc, Money, Time
Date:
Summer 2022
Author: Joyce Doyle
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
SCIENCE IS MAGIC! That was the reaction of my second-grade students when we have science lessons in our school club. Since the test scores were low in 2022, teachers at Cartmell Elementary had reached out to me asking if I would come in and do some hands-on science lessons. The first month I did geodes and talked about Earth Science. The children used a hammer and broke open a geode. A parent called and told me that her son came home and said there were diamonds in
Author: Joyce Doyle
Major Program: Agriculture
Where does our food come from? A question I ask frequently when I am in the classroom. The answers are Kroger or Walmart. Really? Because of this answer Carroll County 4-H decided to add a garden club to the offerings and 7 families stepped up to the plate and we now have a growing garden in a 100 by 150 garden plot. Thanks to the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, I received a grant to help with the expenses of this garden. The 4-H members with their parents came to the orientatio
Author: Maggie Forsee
Major Program: Beekeeping
The problem-There were many community members wanting knowledge on how to begin and maintain a bee hive.- There were 12 community members present at this program.The educational program response-The participants learned what tools and equipment they needed to start a hive, the clothing that was suggested, how to care for a hive, the different ways to obtain bees, the process of getting honey, and how to deal with disease in your hive. -Participants networked with each other to be able to gi
