Extension
It Starts With Us
Increase best practices for urban agriculture, natural resources & local food systems
Enhancing Urban Agriculture, Local Food Systems, and Municipal Natural Resources
A. Leonberger, A. Brewer, M. Preece, K. Bishop, Edwin Chavous, Trevor Claiborn
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Health
As urban development continues, degradation of farmland, waterways, and forest lands has exacerbated the already limited access to public green spaces and to locally produced, fresh foods.
The lack of green space or appropriately managed plant species in the urban environment is critical to a healthy environment. Outdoor places to play and learn for kids are critical to good physical and mental health. Research published in the American Journal of Public Health, found that exposure to quality trees, vegetation, nature, or green space in urban areas has been connected with multiple public health benefits, including reduced mortality, morbidity, stress, and mental fatigue. Multiple studies have correlated an increase in the number and quality of urban trees with a decrease in crimes such as property crimes, vandalism, gun assault, theft, robbery, burglary, and narcotics possession.
The quality of public urban forests and community health are impacted by storm water runoff. This problem is further impacted by the degradation of existing farmland and natural areas, which increases the amount of nonpoint source (NPS) pollution that currently accounts for two-thirds of the water quality impairments in Kentucky’s streams, lakes, and rivers. Furthermore, poor water quality impacts public use in local and urban areas which impacts community health and fitness.
Access to locally produced food, affects consumption of healthy food options and overall individual health. According to a 2014 Kentucky Association of Food Banks survey, 91 percent of food bank recipients had to purchase inexpensive, unhealthy food to feed their families. This demonstrates that these families either were unaware of where to purchase local healthy food, or they were unavailable for purchase. In addition, there is an increase of requests from urban dwellers for implementing community gardens, urban livestock, and other modern agriculture, horticulture & natural resource practices.
With an increase in the quality and productivity of new and existing urban spaces, Franklin County can decrease pollution and crime, while increasing public health and safety. In addition, by strengthening Franklin County’s local food systems, everyone will have access to a healthier diet while benefitting the local economy and communities.
•Fragile and threatened lands and waters are protected and improved
•Decrease in crimes related to increased quality and quantity of urban forests and greenspaces
•Population will experience increased outdoor activity rates and decreased incidence of obesity, morbidity, stress, and mental fatigue
•More well-managed urban green space and less degradation of land and waterways
•Lower rates of NPS pollution, higher water quality in Franklin County waters
Frankfort/ Franklin County will develop and enhance more public, outdoor green spaces
•Franklin County population will experience lower rates of obesity and heart disease due to choosing to eat a healthier diet
•Children grow to understand and appreciate agriculture and natural systems and strive to make better choices for their health and environment
•Urban farming is accepted and a significant contribution to the local economy
•More local retail, community, and institutional outlets sell and serve locally produced items
•Local producers seek out and utilize new marketing opportunities
•Producers and retail food outlets see an increased customer base and income due to demand for local food
•Citizens request and utilize green space in urban and suburban areas
•Increased number walk/bike trails and usage is increased
•More policies are implemented to saving, improving, and managing green space in established new developments
•Urban greenspaces are designed and installed to intercept stormwater runoff
•County residents are implementing fertilizer applications to minimize runoff and leaching
•Responsible riverfront and storm water management planning, development, and use increases
•Residents apply improved food preparations skills and healthy eating habits
•More county households, schools, churches and institutions plant, harvest, and preserve produce
•Schools have gardens, outdoor learning centers, and programs that incorporate all facets of modern agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources
•Producers adopting new practices to increase profits
•Local population has an increased access to and aware of local food options
•Eligible recipients increase redemption of farmer’s market nutrition programs
•County Population understands the importance of urban agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, and local food systems to their health, financial well-being, community, and environment
•People are aware of and more accepting of environmentally, socially, economically sustainable policies
•Residents understand and request green spaces for safe and enjoyable outdoor activity
•Residents and community leaders are aware of the public health and safety benefits of well-managed greenspaces
•Residents are aware of what NPS pollution is and the impact it has on the environment
•Community leaders recognize the importance of utilizing greenspace to manage stormwater, minimize NPS pollution, and create responsible riverfront areas
•People learn to grow, prepare, and preserve food
•Citizens are aware of options for urban farming and request more information
•People learn to incorporate unfamiliar foods or foods not currently eating into a healthy diet
•People and institutions increase knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety, food access to increase food security
•The community becomes aware of food policy councils and begins to think of food policy
Outcome(st): Learn where food comes from, how to choose more local/regional foods
Indicator: People and institutions ask for and choose local food and food sources
Method: Survey
Timeline: April-October
Outcome(st): Learn the benefits of urban agriculture, horticulture, and natural resources
Indicator: People and institutions ask for and plan for more urban farms, forests, and green spaces
Method: Survey
Timeline: Annual
Outcome(I): Access more local foods
Indicator: Of the total number of households. Caregivers reached with information on accessing healthy local foods, the number of participants that self-report eating more healthy local foods
Method: Plate it up Kentucky featured program questions
Timeline: October – September
Outcome(I): Increased quantity and quality of urban forests and greenspaces
Indicator: increase in total acreage of urban forests and greenspaces, decrease in number of urban tree removals
Method: Survey, Public Records
Timeline: Annually
Outcome(LT): Urban farming practices are being used
Indicator: Increase in community & school gardens; other agriculture practices are being done in urban settings
Method: Survey
Timeline: Biennially
Outcome: (LT): Franklin County communities’ health and economy are strengthened through strong local organizational food ways
Indicator: Number of people who are involved in addressing local/regional food issues and food security issues
Method: Number of local policy changes or partnerships as a result of Extension programs
Timeline: August-December
Audience: Community Leaders, Food-way System Leaders
Activity: Community Food Council
Content or Curriculum: Convene existing advisory groups and other key stakeholders to discuss and set priorities for developing a stronger local food system. Identify potential policies to decrease hunger and increase food access.
Date: August-September, first meeting – then quarterly or as needed
Audience: Teachers, Educators, Parents, Youth
Activity: Farm to School support
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Farm to School Task Force resources (3Cs: Cafeteria, Classroom, Community), Farm to School Curriculum, Super Star Chef goes to Farmers Market
Date: September-May
Audience: Farmers market customers; EBT/WIC/Senior/LEP Farmers Market Nutrition Participants
Activity: Farmers’ Market Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: Cooking Programs, Tastings, Displays, Incentives
Date: April - November
Audience: Program Newsletters; Newspaper articles; Farmers market customers/vendors
Activity: Plate It Up Kentucky Proud
Content or Curriculum: Plate It Up Resources
Date: July - June
Audience: Farmers Market Vendors; Farm Producers
Activity: Growing Local Food Entrepreneurs
Content or Curriculum: Home-Based Micro-Processing Training, Home-based processing; Market Ready; Restaurant Rewards program; Ky Proud Program
Date: offer opportunities quarterly
Audience: Local restaurants, grocers, caterers, retail food outlets; City/County Tourism; Chamber of Commerce
Activity: Market Ready/Ky Proud Restaurant Program
Content or Curriculum: Using UK Market Ready & Ky Proud resources, bring together producers, restaurants, grocers to partner in supplying items for consumers
Date: November- intro, January, February-solidify contracts
Audience: Youth
Activity: Super Star Chef Curriculum/Program, Cooking Club, 4-H Project Days, County Fair, School Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Super Star Chef, County Fair Recipes taught at Project Days, Snap Ed, EFNEP recipes
Date: All Year
Audience: local beef producers
Activity: Master Marketing
Content or Curriculum: Beef marketing options workshops
Date: Annual as needed
Audience: Community
Activity: Governor's Downtown derby Celebration
Content or Curriculum: Beef, Pork & local food education
Date: Derby day
Audience: Farmers, Businesspeople, Community, Chamber of Commerce
Project or Activity: Farm/City Banquet
Content or Curriculum: Urban Farming Award
Inputs: Chamber of Commerce; Community Organizations; CommonWealth Garden Network; local media
Date: April annually
Audience: Community
Project or Activity: Franklin County Fair
Content or Curriculum: Classes, newspaper and newsletter articles about Fair and how to exhibit; classes to assist with production of appropriate items to enter, 4-H Projects exhibited in the fair (Cloverville and Floral Hall)
Inputs: Fair Board; Extension Agents; Homemaker leaders; Master Gardeners; Garden Club educators
Date: May – July annually
Audience: Local Cattlemen
Project or Activity: Cattlemen's Educational Tour
Content or Curriculum: National travel to other ranches, farms, Univeristy reseach units, factories, technologies, etc
Inputs: local cattle producers, national extension agents, farmers, ranchers, community leaders
Date: Annual
Audience: Woodland owners
Project or Activity: Woodland owners short course
Content or Curriculum: Woodland management
Inputs: UK Forestry, KDF, private consultants, loggers
Date: Annual as needed
Audience: UK students, UK farm workers
Project or Activity: UK Lanscaping Dry Stone Class
Content or Curriculum: History & building with dry stone
Inputs:
Date: Fall
Audience: Livestock Producers
Project or Activity: BQA Certafication
Content or Curriculum: BQA program
Inputs: KCA, KBN, UK ruminant Vet
Date: Spring
Audience: Limited resource & underserved farmers & land owners
Project or Activity: KSU/UK Limited resource farmer Update
Content or Curriculum: Current topics of interest
Inputs: KSU, FSA, NRCS, Health Dept
Date: Fall
Audience: Community
Project or Activity: Beginner Beekeeper Series
Content or Curriculum: Basics of beekeeping as provided by State Apiarist, Extension Apiary Specialist, and local beekeepers association
Inputs: KSU, KDA, Capital City Beekeepers Assoc.
Date: Fall
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Summer & Environmental Camp
Content or Curriculum: Project WET, Project Learning Tree
Inputs: CES Agents, Camp Staff, Volunteers,
Date: September - August
Author: Adam Leonberger
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Access to high quality, fresh produce is a major challenge for many that live downtown Frankfort. There are no grocery stores within 3.5 miles. The Franklin County Farmer’s Market and Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service has worked together to increase the food access to Frankfort residents, especially those on limited income. The Farmer's Market had sales of over $548,700 from more than 50 local producer, which is 26% increase from the previous year. We've als
Author: Keenan Bishop
Major Program: Beef
An 82 year old farmer struggled to maintain his cow calf operation due to age and physical abilities. CAIP cost-share and Extension designs made it possible to make improvements.He started by installing fence-line concrete troughs. This allowed him to feed from his UTV without opening a gate and while being physically separated from the cattle. He still had to drive into the heavy use area once or twice a week to feed hay which meant getting on and off his tractor to open the gate while also hav
Author: Adam Leonberger
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Kentucky has the 11th highest rate of children who have had a parent incarcerated. Breaking down the statistic, one in ten Kentucky kids have dealt with a parent behind bars. The Franklin County Cooperative Extension Office partnered with the Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation (WJRF), and Franklin County Schools High School K.R.U.S.H. (Kids Rising Up through Support and Healing) Group to host a thanksgiving meal on the day before Thanksgiving.High Schoolers from Western Hills, Franklin County, and
Author: Adam Leonberger
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Crime, pollution, and storm water management continue to be major issues in urban areas across the country. A 2012 study in the journal Landscape and Urban Planning, Vol 106, Issue 3, found a 10 percent increase in urban tree canopy cover was strongly correlated with a 12% decrease of robbery, burglary, theft and shootings. In addition, the US Forest Service published a study in 2006 within the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, Vol 4, Issues 3–4 estimated that US urban trees rem
Author: MacKenzie Preece
Major Program: Natural Resources
Eight middle schoolers from Franklin County were chosen to represent their community at the 4-H Environmental Education Camp on Jekyll Island, Georgia. The trip took place over spring break, and the students were excited to travel to the beach to experience the 4-H Center with a Marine Biology twist.During their time at the camp, the students participated in various beach ecology courses, seining classes, and night hike/astronomy workshops. They learned about the ecosystem and the importance of
Author: Adam Leonberger
Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
According to the EPA, nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is the leading remaining cause of water quality problems. NPS pollution is caused by rainfall or snow melt moving over and through the ground. As the runoff moves, it picks up and carries away natural and human-made pollutants, finally depositing them into lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters and ground waters, where they cause harmful effects on drinking water supplies, recreation, fisheries and wildlife. Excess fertilizers, herbicides an
Author: Adam Leonberger
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
During January 2021, a local orchard hired a new farm manager. The new manager has previous experience working with grapes and vineyard management, but lacked knowledge of tree fruit management. The orchard has over a 100 apple trees, 200 blackberry bushes that needed to be properly pruned and sprayed to ensure years of production. The Franklin County Horticulture agent coordinated with the Extension Fruit Specialist and Extension Enotmologist to visit the farm and teach the new mana
