Extension
It Starts With Us
Ag Production & Natural Resources
Ag & Natural Resources
Chad Conway, Dora Centers
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Beef
According to the CEDIK report, agriculture is one of the emerging Businesses for Knott County. Although, agriculture is not as prevalent in Knott County as in other parts of the state. The county has only 22 full-time farmers but several part-time and small farmers. Most of these producers have very diversified operations with small numbers of livestock and/or acres of pasture and crops. Even though these are smaller operations, they still add financial support to their families and the county. Farm acreage has increased steadily in the last fifteen years, mostly due to the increased use of reclaimed strip mine lands. The major livestock in the county consists of beef cattle, goats, and horses. The major crops consist of hay, corn, ornamentals, bedding plants, fruits, and vegetables. Also, a large number of the people in the county raise a small garden or fruit trees for home use. Forage lands harvested have more than doubled during the last five years, as well as a significant increase in the number of cropland acres harvested due to the use of reclaimed mine land. The County Extension Council and Agriculture & Natural Resources Council have directed us to address the above areas with the necessary emphasis on diversification and small farm production. Emphasis will be on learning experiences that will benefit both youth and adults—mainly directed to those involved or interested in livestock, crops, fruit, and vegetable production, both commercially and family-based.
Forestry is also a significant industry in the county, with 84.7% of the land being forested. Since the decline in mining, logging has increased slowly but continues to increase. According to the latest CEDIK report, Forestry, Agriculture, Fishing, and Hunting are the emerging industries in Knott County. Presently, the county's citizens have become more aware of the importance of, and possible financial gain from, their forested lands. However, education is needed to help improve the forest's quality and improve citizen's forest management knowledge. Another agriculture development area that continues to grow is pasture and hay land or reclaimed mine land.
Although, we should use all of the natural resources of the county wisely. Citizens must learn conservation practices in order to protect the valuable ecosystem of the county.
Like many other counties in the area, environmental concerns are of great importance to the county, with water quality being the #1 concern. A recent survey conducted by the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service shows that over a third of survey residents are concerned about littering and illegal dumping in the county. The extension can help educate the public about the importance of the environment and about conservation methods that help improve environmental conditions. The County Extension Council, Agriculture & Natural Resources Council, Knott County Creeks & Streams (Pride) Committee, Knott County Soil Conservation, and local leaders agreed that the above issues are significant and must be addressed. Major areas to address are to include Knowledge of better management practices related to the protection of natural resources; Understanding of the environmental concerns in the area, and improving forage quality on reclaimed land.
Understanding the importance of good water quality; Knowledge of conservation efforts related to the environment, wildlife, and habitat; Knowledge that managing the forest could benefit the environment; and learn the importance of recycling.
Agricultural producers will manage their farms and resources to receive the most profit or production from their operations. They will develop the knowledge necessary to manage their agricultural operations to wisely use the land and resources for sustainability. Youth and adults of Knott County understand the importance of the wise use of natural resources and strive to improve the environmental conditions in the area.
- 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.
- 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.
- Adult and youth consumers will manage their resources to maintain and improve the sustainability of natural resources.
- Practicing stewardship in natural resources.
- Ag Production
- Wise use of environment & natural resources.
An increase in agriculture production with an emphasis on livestock and horticulture.
- Best Management Practices will be used for their agricultural operations
- An increase in the diversity of agriculture operations will occur
- An increase in necessary management skills being used
- Increased utilization of reclaimed mine lands as part of agricultural operations in the county
- Vegetable producers will utilize new innovative techniques to increase the production and quality of vegetable
- Increase access to local fresh fruits and vegetables
- An increase in the management of forests as a renewable natural resource.
- Improvement of wildlife management and conservation of the environment.
- An increase of educational programming on Forest management.
- An increase in the management of forests as a renewable natural resource.
- Increased awareness of recycling programs in the county.
- 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.
- 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.
Knowledge of better management practices and conservation-related to their enterprises.
- Knowledge of new and improved management skills for improved profitability
- Knowledge of new methods to use reclaimed lands.
- Understanding the importance of diversity in small enterprises
- Knowledge of local markets to expand horticulture operations.
- Knowledge of better management practices related to the protection of natural resources.
- Knowledge of new methods to prevent damage to reclaimed lands.
- Understanding of the environmental concerns in the area.
- Understanding of the importance of good water quality.
- Knowledge of conservation efforts related to the environment, wildlife, and habitat
- The knowledge that managing the forest could benefit the environment.
- Learn the importance of recycling.
- Knowledge of best management practices for timber management
- Awareness of pollution and litter negative impact on our environment and community
- The knowledge that managing the forest could be a viable enterprise
- 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 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, the wise use of resources, and leadership.
Observation and the use of pre and post-test results
Audience: Horticulture Producers
Project or Activity: Insect Disease Control Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Research Information & Educational Curriculum UK Horticulture
Inputs: Specialist & Agents
Date: Annually
Audience: Senior Citizens at Low Income Housing Complex
Project or Activity: Raised Bed Gardens
Content or Curriculum: Raised Bed & UK Horticulture Curriculum
Inputs: Specialist & Snap-Ed Assistants
Date: Annually
Audience: Beef Cow/Calf Producers
Project or Activity: East KY Beef IRM Program
Content or Curriculum: Feeding, Reproduction, Forages, Health, & General Management
Inputs: Specialist, Agents
Date: Continual
Audience: Cattle Producers
Project or Activity: Improve Cattle Production
Content or Curriculum: Disease/Insect Control, & Small Area Production
Inputs: Reproduction Trend AI Equipment
Date: Spring & Fall
Audience: Landowners/Farmers
Project or Activity: Conservation Sustainability
Content or Curriculum: Soil Samping, Cost-Share Programs, & Related Issues
Inputs: Knott Co Soil Conservation District
Date: Continual
Audience: Famers, Gardeners, & Horticulturalist
Project or Activity: Knott County Agriculture & Natural Resources Newsletter
Content or Curriculum: Address Various Issues at Critical Times and Announcements of Upcoming AGNR Programs.
Input: UK Specialist, Agents, and Staff
Date: Monthly
Audience: Bee Enthusiast/Beekeepers
Project or Activity: Beekeeping
Content or Curriculum: Beekeeping Club, Annual East KY Beekeeping School, KSU Beekeeping Programs
Inputs: KSU Bee Program & Local Producers Knowledge
Date: Bi-Monthly
Audience: Horticulture/Local Foods
Project or Activity: Classes, Workshops for Horticulture Production
Content or Curriculum: Hot Topics/Trends (High Tunnel Production/Berry Production/& Diversity of Local Foods)
Inputs: UK Specialist, Local Classes, USDA Conservation Service, and Knott County Farmers Market Committee
Date: Continual
Audience: Youth/Adults
Project or Activity: Care of the Environment
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum
Inputs: Agents
Date: On-Going
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Land Judging
Content or Curriculum: UK Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H agent & teachers
Date: Summer & Fall
Audience: Youth Various Grade Levels
Project or Activity: 4-H Poultry Classroom Embryology & Life Cycle
Content or Curriculum: National 4-H Poultry Curriculum
Inputs: Classroom Teachers & 4-H Agent
Date: Spring 2023
Audience: Youth Ages 9-18 & Cloverbuds
Project or Activity: 4-H Horse Club
Content or Curriculum: UK & National Horse Curriculum & Kits
Inputs: Certified Volunteer & 4-H Agent
Date: On-Going
Audience: Youth 9-18
Project or Activity: 4-H Forestry/Win With Wood
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Curriculum
Inputs: Classroom Teachers & 4-H Agent
Date: On-Going
Audience: Cloverbuds Through 8th Grade
Project or Activity: Environmental Fair Days & Nature Days
Content or Curriculum: UK & National 4-H Curriculum & PLT Curriuculum
Inputs: Army Core of Engineers, Classroom Teachers, & 4-H Agent
Date: On-Going
Audience: Community Members
Project or Activity: County Wide Clean-Ups
Content or Curriculum: Promotion & Recruitment for Local Cleanup Program of Roadsides & Streams
Inputs: Knott County Creeks & Streams, Community Volunteers, & Agents
Date: Spring/Fall
Audience: Youth/Teachers
Project or Activity: Recycling, Reuse Programs
Content or Curriculum: Cleanup Program in Schools, Recycling Pays, Rinse & Return, Appliance Buy-Back, & School Recycling Program
Inputs: Knott County Creeks & Streams, Community Volunteers, Knott County Soil Conservation, & Agents
Date: Fall 2022
Audience: Landowners/Farmers
Project or Activity: Reclaimed Mine Land Forage Improvement Program
Content or Curriculum: NRCS & UK Resources
Inputs: RCARS Resources, Agents, NRCS, Livestock Producers
Date: Fall 2023
Audience: Community/Tourism Board
Project or Activity: Recreational Tourism Events
Content or Curriculum: Educating Civic & Governmental Leadership on the Benefits of Increased Tourism Through Trai Rides & Other Special Events
Inputs: Agents, Extension Partners, & Community Leaders, Chamber of Commerce, & Knott County Tourism
Date: Year-Round
Audience: Youth/Adults
Project or Activity: Knott County Creeks & Streams (PRIDE) Committee
Content or Curriculum: Leadership Involvement in Natural Resources Programs & Projects
Inputs: Agents, Extension Partners, & Community Leaders
Date: Monthly
Audience: Woodland Owners
Project or Activity: Profitability for Woodland Owners Webinars
Content or Curriculum: Two Night Sessions on Selling Timber & Management
Inputs: Forester, Extension Personel, & Division of Forestry
Date: As Available From UK Forestry
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Shitake Mushroom Program
Content or Curriculum: Workshop by ANR Agents
Inputs: ANR Agents
Date: November 2022
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Energy Efficiency
Content or Curriculum: Solar, Energy Awareness & 5 Star Rating, UK Extension, AEP Energy Efficient Program, & Mountain Association
Inputs: Federal, UK & AEP Programs & Information
Date: Oct 2023, (Two-night sessions on Home Energy Efficiency)
Audience: Downtown Community
Project or Activity: Hindman Greenscapes Project
Content or Curriculum: Plans & Community Partners in Planting Trees & Flowers for Beautification & Greenspaces in City
Inputs: Community Volunteers/Appalachian Artisan Center
Date: Summer 2023
Author: Chadwick Conway
Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
The catastrophic flood of late July left the Knott County Agriculture Agent scrambling to find much-needed resources for his community. One area of need was the demand for grass seed for the increase in multiple slides, silt filled yards,pastures, and stream bank erosion. The grass seed was needed to suppress soil erosion and creek bank stabilization increased. Therefore, the agent reached out to the local soil conservation board of directors to see if they could assist with this need. The
Author: Chadwick Conway
Major Program: Flood Relief & Recovery
On the morning of July 28, 2022 eastern Kentucky awoke to find the landscape of this area changed forever from historic flooding. Lives were lost, multiple homes and business were destroyed cars flooded or washed away and many of our farms were damaged or destroyed including livestock losses, structures, and equipment and feed loss. It’s estimated that in the 4 Counties that had the most severe flooding, Breathitt, Knott, Letcher and Perry, that more than 5000 hom
Author: Dora Centers
Major Program: Agriculture
4-H Chick incubation, embryology and poultry programs have been active in Knott County since 2013. Reaching thousands of youth during that time. One 4-Her started with the program in middle school, now in college, runs his own KY Proud Poultry Farm. Our goal was to provide new resources for classroom volunteers and our participants. Through the Kentucky 4-H Foundation's Ag Mini Grant program, we purchased the OSU Poultry Learning Lab Kit. The kit proved to suppor
Author: Chadwick Conway
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
In the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, accessing fresh local heirloom produce is very important for so many families. Many of them work hard at gardening in order for them to have fresh produce during the summer and to make sure that they have enough to preserve for the winter months to enjoy. Some even sell some of their produce along the way for an additional source of income when needed to help support their families. In late July of 2022, the historic flood wiped out the majority of gardens a
Author: Chadwick Conway
Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Eastern Kentucky has a wealth of reclaimed mine land acreage suitable for grazing livestock. Although many land owners have taken advantage of this for grazing beef cattle, many small landowners are now seeing an opportunity to get involved in sheep production, on a small scale with much lower input cost than beef cattle. Also, with a regained interest in lamb as a choice for meat on the dinner table and in restaurants, we have seen an increase raising lambs across Kentucky. Th
