Greenup County CES

Title:

Sustainability of Family Farms and Environmental Stewardship

MAP:

Agriculture and Environment

Agents Involved:

Pullin, Hieneman, Stephens, Presley Adkins Grubb

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Agriculture

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Farm Management, Economics and Policy

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Home-Based Microprocessor Program

Situation:

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. 

Greenup County Cooperative Extension Agents strive plan to conduct many educational  programs that will help support family farms reaching both youth and adults.  Along with production and marketing education, agents will also help educate consumers on how food is grown and produced.   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).

Through extension programming it is our goal to make our local Agriculture community more sustainable and while being good stewards to the land that is available to local farmers.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Youth/adults will be agriculturally literate.
• Youth/adults will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
• Youth/adults will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.
• Routinely employ healthy dietary practices that promote health and wellness (e.g. consume recommended daily fruits and vegetables and improve food management skills)

Intermediate Outcomes:

• 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.
• Employ healthful cooking methods, feeding practices, and food preservation techniques
• Increased access to healthy food via local farmers markets, food retailers, and/or home gardens

Initial Outcomes:

• Youth/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/adults will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
• Youth/adults will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
• Increase awareness about relationships between food and nutrition practices and chronic disease.
• Improve food and nutrition-related skills (e.g. gardening, preparation and preservation techniques, safe food handling, food resource management)

Evaluation:

• Outcome to be Evaluated
  • Youth plan and implement an agriculture project (e.g., livestock project, horse project, etc.).
• Indicator of Success for Outcome
  • Youth complete an agricultural project.
• Method of Evaluation
  • 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey
  • Program Indicators
    • 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)  
    • 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?” (SEEC)
    • 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?” (SEEC)
      
• Outcome: Preparing and preserving food 

  Indicator:  Number of individuals who reported: preparing more home-cooked meals; modifying ingredients and/or preparation techniques to improve nutrition

  Method: Self-report survey; specific curricula or program evaluations

  Timeline:  Pre-post implementing curricula or program

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Farmers Market Clientele

Project or Activity: Marketing Trainings, Homebased Microprocessor Trainings

Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Curriculum/ CEDIK

Inputs: Extension Agents, UK specialists

Date:  monthly and as needed

 

Audience: 4-H Youth 

Project or Activity: Livestock & Poultry Projects 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum 

Inputs: Extension Agents, local volunteer, state specialists

Date: monthly and as needed

 

Audience: Livestock & Forage Producers 

Project or Activity:  Cattleman & Forage Trainings, Soil Testing

Content or Curriculum: Webinars, Hands on training 

Inputs: Extension Agents, local volunteers, UK Beef Specialists

Date: Monthly and as needed

 

Audience: County Youth

Project or Activity: Livestock Judging and Skill-a-thon

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Curriculum and state guidelines

Inputs: County Agents and Volunteers

Date: Spring and Fall

 

Audience: County Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Livestock Clubs

Content or Curriculum: Livestock Species Handbooks, and Livestock Training Kits

Inputs: County Agents and Volunteers

Date: monthly and as needed

 

Audience: County Youth

Project or Activity: Livestock Show and Sell

Content or Curriculum: 4-H livestock curriculum and state guidelines

Inputs: County Agents, Staff, and Volunteers

Date: August

 

Audience: County Youth

Project or Activity: County Agriculture Days

Content or Curriculum: volunteer led event

Inputs: County Agents, Staff, and Volunteers

Date: Fall, Spring

 

Audience:  Greenup County Community Members

Project or Activity:  Greenup County Farm to Table Dinner

Content or Curriculum:  volunteer-led event

Inputs:  Agents, Staff, Volunteers

Date:  Summer

 

Audience: Communities

Project or Activity:  Farmers Market Outreach

Content or Curriculum: Cooking programs, marketing, increased access, Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud resources, Farmers Market Toolkit,

Inputs: Nutrition Education Program (NEP), paid staff, facilities, Kentucky Department of Agriculture

Date: April – October/Growing seasons

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity:  Food Preservation

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Trainings, Home-Based Micro-Processing Training, Champion Food Volunteers

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, programmatic materials, NEP

Date: July – September for adults and youth

 

Success Stories