Extension
It Starts With Us
Farm and Environmental Sustainability
Encouraging Environmental Sustainability
FCS, Meagan Klee, Kelsey Woodrum
Chemical Management
Natural Resources
Agriculture
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Kentucky has much to offer in the way of agriculture. Of Kentucky’s total acreage (25.4 million acres), over 50% (12.9 million acres) is farmland (NASS, 2019). Kentucky farms produce a variety of agricultural products. The top five agricultural commodities (based on sales) in the Commonwealth include broilers, all other animals and products, soybeans, corn, and cattle and calves (USDA ERS, 2020). Kentucky agricultural sales in 2018 were reported at $5.9 billion (USDA ERS, 2020). Of the 75,966 farms in Kentucky, over 90% are individually or family owned. The average age of a Kentucky producer is 56.2 years old, with over 55% of producers 55 years old or older (NASS, 2019).
Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools Committee established by the National Research Council (1988) described an agriculturally literate person as one who’s “…understanding of the food and fiber system would include its history and its current economic, social, and environmental significance to all” (p. 8). The National Agriculture Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one “…who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life” (Spielmaker et al., 2014, p. 2). One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.
Casey County is a rural community placed in south central Kentucky with 63% identified as farm land. There are a total of 1,118 farms with an average size of 160 acres. With 92.8% of these farms being operated by a family or individual, continued agriculture education is imperative.
Consumers have become more concerned with where their food comes from and the sustainability of it. This interest has pushed many producers into creating more sustainable operations to supply this niche market. 27% of respondents in Casey County were most concerned with the sustainability of family farms compared to all other Agriculture and Environment areas. With the guidance of extension specialists and agents these farmers can learn and implement new practices in their operations to not only create a more sustainable environment but also to increase production and profit for farmers.
- Youth will be agriculturally literate.
- Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
- Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.
- Youth will be environmentally literate.
- Youth will make informed decisions and take responsible action regarding natural resources conservation, protection, and restoration.
- Youth will be advocates for environmental sustainability and stewardship.
- Producers will minimize negative their negative impacts on the environment
- Producers will educate and share with others on best practices for environmental sustainability
- Producers will only apply necessary chemicals onto their land for production.
- Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.
- Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.
- Youth will explain the importance and role of natural resources in daily life.
- Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect natural resources.
- Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H natural resources and environmental projects and clubs, and life situations.
- Producers will integrate new management strategies and utilize biological control.
- Producers will use PPE and adopt good practices for storage and disposal of chemicals.
- Producers will gain knowledge on Integrated Pest Management Strategies.
- Producers will recognize the correct methods for using chemical control.
- Producers will understand the importance of testing their waters and soils.
- Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science.
- Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
- Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
- Youth will gain knowledge and skills in environmental sciences and natural resources content.
- Youth will gain an understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship.
- Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
- Producers will attend pesticide applicator training.
- Producers will collect samples of soil and water to send off for diagnostic training.
- Long-Term
- Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture programming.
- Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H natural resource programming.
- Number of youth who used the skills and knowledge learned in 4-H to conserve natural resources.
- Number of youth who participated in overnight, 4-H summer camp(s).
- Number of youth who participated in day or overnight, 4-H environmental camps at your office, 4-H camp facility, or other location.
- Number of youth who participated in day or overnight, 4-H non-environmental camps at your office, 4-H camp facility, or other location (i.e. project day camps, etc).
- Number of producers who saw a decrease in their negative environmental impact due to implemented changes.
Intermediate
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?”
- Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?”
- Number of youth who plan and implement an agriculture project (e.g., livestock project, horse project, etc.).
- Number of producers who understand the proper use and application of chemicals.
- Number of producers who gained knowledge on diagnostic testing for soil and water.
- Number of producers who check their fields, greenhouses, and/or fields regularly for pests and diseases.
- Number of producers who integrated best practices and biological controls into their operations.
- Initial
- Number of youth who gained an understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food, fiber, and wood products.
- Number of youth who have gained an understanding of ecosystems in Kentucky.
- Number of producers who collected soil samples for testing.
Audience: Casey County Youth
Project/Activity: Farm Safety Day
Content/Curriculum: ATV Safety Curriculum, additional safety resources
Input: Extension Staff, Casey County School Systems, Cattlemen’s Association, Conservation District, Farm Bureau, local FFA Chapter and local volunteers
Date: April
Audience: 4-H Members/Casey County Youth
Project/Activity: 4-H Livestock Program
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Curriculum
Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Certified Livestock Volunteers, Parent/Guardian Volunteers
Date: September – August
Audience: 4-H Members
Project/Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Country Ham Curriculum
Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Certified Livestock Volunteer
Date: January - October
Audience: Casey County Youth/4-H Members interested in horses
Project/Activity: 4-H Horse Club
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Horse Curriculum
Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Certified Horse Volunteers, Parent/Guardian Volunteers
Date: September - August
Audience: Casey County Students
Project/Activity: Farm Bureau National Ag Week & Ag Literacy Week
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Agricultural Resources
Input: Extension Staff and Casey County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee
Date: Spring
Audience: Casey County 4th Graders
Project/Activity: Overnight Environmental Education Camp
Content/Curriculum: Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, Project Wild, Project Underground
Input: Extension Staff, Extension Staff, 4-H Camp Staff, local volunteers
Date: Spring
Audience: 4th Graders
Project/Activity: In-School 4-H Clubs/Enrichment
Content/Curriculum: Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, Project Wild, Project Underground
Input: Extension Staff and Casey County School System
Date: September – April
Audience: 4-H Members
Project/Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Club
Content/Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports
Input:
Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Certified Shooting Sports Volunteers, Parent/Guardian Volunteers
Date: March - October
Audience: Casey County Youth and Adults
Project/Activity: Hook to Cook and Field to Fork
Content/Curriculum: UK CAFÉ Curriculum and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, KDFW
Date: Summer and Fall
Audience: Casey County Farmers
Project/Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Training
Content/Curriculum: UK Publications
Input: Extension Agents, UK CAFÉ Specialists
Date: Spring
Audience: Commercial Horticulture Producers
Project/Activity: Integrated Pest Management Strategies Workshop
Content/Curriculum: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, UK CAFÉ Publications
Input: Extension Agents, UK CAFÉ Specialists, Farmers Market
Date: Spring
Audience: Casey County Residents
Project/Activity: Casey County Clean-Up
Content/Curriculum: PRIDE Clean-Up, Project Learning Tree
Input: Extension Agents, Community Volunteers, 4-H Teen Council
Date: Fall and Spring
Audience: Casey County Youth/4-H Members interested in Fishing
Project/Activity: 4-H Fishing Club
Content/Curriculum: Fishing 101, KDFW Publications
Input: Extension Agents, Parent/Guardians Volunteers, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
Date: September – June
Audience: Casey County Youth/4-H Members & Adults interested in Bee Keeping
Project/Activity: Bee Keeping Club
Content/Curriculum: 4-H Bee Keeping Curriculum, Bee Keeping Publications
Input: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists, Green River Bee Keepers Association
Date: September - August
Audience: Casey County Youth/4-H Members interested in the outdoors and adventure
Project/Activity: 4-H Adventure Club
Content/Curriculum: Backyards and Beyond, Exploring Your Environment, Project WILD, Project Learning Tree
Input: Extension Agent, Extension Specialists, Parent/Guardian Volunteers
Author: Kelsey Marcum
Major Program: Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
Hunting is an integral part of conservation and sustaining Kentucky's wildlife. Hunters are required to maintain proper licenses and certifications to legally hunt Kentucky wildlife. One of those certifications being the hunter education course which is required for all hunters ages 12 and up. Unfortunately, the number of people certified to teach this training has dwindled greatly in recent years. Because of this Casey County had not had a training offered for local hunters in many years.&n
Author: Kelsey Marcum
Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Small Ruminant production has seen continuous growth in the state of Kentucky in recent years. Since the rise in small ruminant production, especially sheep production, Russell, Pulaski, and Casey Counties have also seen a huge rise in sheep production. With this in mind, and the growing number of sheep, and goats, in the Lake Cumberland Area, a workshop was developed with other organizations to bring a workshop to Russell County to educate producers on predator control. The fi
Author: Kelsey Marcum
Major Program: Forages
Forages are the base for most cattle operations in the Lake Cumberland area. Forages are the most economical way for most beef farmers to put pounds on calves and increase production on their farming operation. With the production of forages comes many challenges as well, in the form of weather, fertilizer prices, weeds, and proper establishment and maintenance of forages.During the winter of 2023, Russell, Casey, Pulaski, and McCreary counties held a 4 part forage series that was ai
Author: Kelsey Marcum
Major Program: Poultry/Small Flocks
Avian Influenza is a threat to poultry producers all over the world. Not only is it disastrous for flocks but it causes devastating financial losses for producers. We have seen firsthand in other parts of Kentucky and in other states what Avian Influenza can do to the poultry industry. As a result of this it is important for producers to understand the dangers it poses as well as what they can do to manage it.In an effort to educate producers on the prevention and management of Avian Influenza C
