Johnson County CES

Title:

Home and Consumer Agriculture

MAP:

Agriculture

Agents Involved:

Jeffiers, Reed, Cockerham

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Beekeeping

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Horticulture, Commercial

Situation:

New marketing outlets and new products are emerging in the county, including maple syrup and elderberry syrup sold on the farm, at local events, at the county farmers’ market, and at a new agribusiness in the county. Direct retail of meat, eggs, vegetables, honey, and live plants is growing as well, with a younger demographic leading the way. Council members identified the need to maximize sales through these outlets as a high priority for programming because they provide better profits and higher food security than national networks.

Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is a 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 and the Family and Consumer Sciences 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.

In addition to this, agritourism remains a viable way of reaching the public with both education and raw products and added value products.

Long-Term Outcomes:

The citizens of Johnson County will have an ample food supply of healthy foods.

Produce, syrups, honey, eggs and a multitude of products and the experience of going to the farm are marketed profitably to local customers.

Farms are environmentally sustainable.

Commodity groups create strong markets for local products while complying with all regulatory standards.

Youth and adults will be agriculturally literate.

Youth and adults will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services. 

Youth and citizens will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.

Intermediate Outcomes:

The people of Johnson County will learn how to create an ample food supply.

Agritourism destinations are developed and opened for business with sound marketing plans.

Produce, syrups, honey, eggs and other commodities by local farmers, yielding quality, safe products.

Commodity groups organize, meet, and develop plans for their businesses.

Individual learn how to grow, develop quality products market and sell them.

Producers follow labeling, packaging, marketing, and processing laws.

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.

Initial Outcomes:

Educational programs will be offered to assist people in growing gardens, best practices in sales of commodities, and learn how to gain added values to their products.

Farmers know how to produce quality fruits, vegetables, eggs, syrups and other commodities.

Farmers understand market options for their products.

Commodity growers learn about the benefits of organizing groups and begin to form them.

Farmers understand packaging, processing, and labeling laws.

Youth and adults 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 and adults will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.

Evaluation:

Outcome: The citizens of Johnson County will have an ample food supply of healthy foods.

Indicator: Food bank data, farmers’ market sales, senior voucher utilization

Method: Information gathering from these sources

Timeline: Annually

Outcome: Produce, syrups, honey, eggs and other commodities are marketed profitably to local customers.
Indicator: Sales data from producers
Method: Direct survey
Timeline: Annually

Outcome: Agritourism will be used as a tool to both teach about farming as well as to enhance purchasing opportunities.

Indicator: Number of virtual farm tours created, and how many clips reach the public through social media

Method: Social Media clips.

Timeline: minimum of One Farm per year

Outcome: Farms are environmentally sustainable.

Indicator: Erosion and pollution data from state groundwater surveys

Method: Analysis of published data

Timeline: Biannually

Outcome: Commodity groups create strong markets for local products while complying with all regulatory standards.
Indicator: Issuance of home-based microprocessor, PBPT, and sampling certificates
Method: Data from UK & KDA
 Timeline: Annually

Outcome: Youth plan and implement an agriculture project

Indicator: Youth complete an agricultural project

Method: Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture programming (PRACTICE) 

Number of youth who gained an understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food, fiber, and wood products (KOSA)  

Timeline: February-September

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General public, children and tourists

Project or Activity: Create a virtual Farm Tour of relevant sites in Johnson County.

Content or Curriculum: utilizing existing curriculum, we will adapt it to the current farm situations throughout the county to showcase farmers, their products and operations, virtually, while educating the public as to the commodities and local opportunities

Inputs: Technology support systems, Ag and FCS curricula, local farms

Date: 2021-24

Audience: Syrup producers

Project or Activity: Annual production meeting
Content or Curriculum: UK Forestry resources, out-of-state materials

Inputs: On-farm tours/demonstrations; local & state presenters

Date: Fall annually

Audience: Egg producers

Project or Activity: Producers’ workshops
Content or Curriculum: Feeding, health, handling, storage, washing, packaging
Inputs: UK poultry curriculum
Date: Annually

Audience: Vegetable producers

Project or Activity: Production meeting
Content or Curriculum: UK research & local test results
Inputs: Specialists & test plots
Date: Spring annually

Audience: All direct retail producers

Project or Activity: Packaging, labeling, handling, harvesting, sampling laws
Content or Curriculum: PBPT, sampling certificate, HB 391, scale certification
Inputs: Existing UK materials, KDA Weights & Measures
 Date: Annually

Audience: All producers

Project or Activity: Water quality plan development
Content or Curriculum: UK curriculum from BAE
Inputs: Educational meeting with NRCS, Extension
 Date: Annually

Audience: Youth and adults

Project or Activity: Farm bucks for Good Health

Content or Curriculum: Pride of Kentucky

Inputs: FCS steering committee

Date: June 2021

Audience: 4-H and Community Youth ages 9-18

Project or activity: 4-H Horticulture Program, 4-H Seeds, Sprouts and Seedlings Workshop Series, At schools on-site gardening program, Pollinator and Monarch Waystation Project

Curriculum: Junior Master Gardener Curricula; 4-H Gardening Levels A, B, C, D, and Helper’s Guide, Seeds, Sprouts and Seedlings Resource materials, Butterfly Wings, Acres of Adventures 1 and 2; Kentucky Farm 2 School; Project Food, Land, and People;

Inputs: Extension personnel, school personnel, community partners, volunteers 

Date: Spring and Summer each year as requested by community, schools and partners, county and program councils 

Audience: 4-H and Community Youth ages 9-18

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock and Poultry Club Programs 

Curriculum: Acres of Adventures 1 and 2; Kentucky Farm 2 School; Project Food, Land, and People; Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Kit; Beef Resource Handbook; Beef Project and Record Book; Beef, Sheep, Swine Selection Evaluation; Dairy Cow Project and Record Book; Dairy Heifer Project and Record Book; Dairy Resource Handbook; 4-H Dairy Cattle 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Dairy Judging Resources; Goat Project and Record Book; Goat Resource Book; Sheep Resource Handbook; Market Lamb Project and Record Book; Sheep Breeding Project and Record Book; Swine Resource Handbook; Market Hog Project and Record Book; Swine Breeding Project and Record Book, Livestock Volunteer Certification Training, Agent In-services, Egg Preparation Demonstration; Kentucky 4-H Chicken and Turkey Barbeque Project; Kentucky 4-H Poultry: Barbeque Contests; National Avian Bowl Manual; ChickQuest: A Classroom Journey through the Life Cycle; ChickQuest Logbook; Hatching with my “Peeps” Embryology Countdown Calendar; Poultry Project and Record Book,  4-H Rabbit 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Rabbit Learning Lab Kit

Inputs: Extension personnel, school, personnel, community partners, county and program councils

Date: Annually as requested by clubs, schools and partners

Success Stories