Extension
It Starts With Us
Sustainable Agriculture, Non-Traditional Agriculture, and Natural Resources
Agriculture
Bryce Roberts, Elizabeth Maxedon, Mollie Tichenor
Pollinators
Chemical Management
Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud
Agriculture
With the continued increase in population in Spencer County, we are seeing reduction of traditional farm land. We are noticing an increase in modern age agriculture, including sustainable and non-traditional. The Spencer County Extension Council and Agents realize that there is a definite need for programs and resources dealing with all types of agriculture.
Producers will increase their profits from their agricultural endeavors by incorporating new and improved production techniques. All residents of Spencer County will employ farm safety practices and procedures in their lives.
Producers will begin using improved variety of fruits and vegetables, new watering techniques, and increase the use of new marketing outlets. Families and youth begin to use safety practices.
Producers will learn how to properly grow and select varieties of fruit and vegetables. Youth will be able to identify proper animal husbandry and animal well being.
Outcome: Farmers market participants will increase their net income.
Indicator: Increase in sales at local farmer’s market.
Method: End of market survey.
Timeline: November 2022 – January 2023.
Outcome: Youth will practice and recognize proper animal husbandry techniques.
Indicator: Increase number of youth participating in livestock, dairy, and animal science programs.
Method: Observation.
Timeline: July 2022 – June 2023.
Outcome: Producers will gain knowledge and apply proper skills in pesticide application.
Indicator: Pre/Post Test.
Method: Observation.
Timeline: November 2022 – February 2023.
Outcome: Youth and adults gain knowledge in areas of nutrition, gardening and youth development.
Indicator: Increase in participation and awareness of Farmers Market.
Method: Observation and number of volunteers, including 4-H Members, and Homemakers.
Timeline: July 2022 - October 2022, April 2023 - June 2023.
Audience: Agriculture/Horticulture Producers, Families
Activity: Farmers Market (BR, EM, MT)
Content or Curriculum: Produce Best Practices Training, farmer’s market materials, food sampling.
Inputs: Farm Bureau, Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Farmer’s Market Committee, and Community Volunteers.
Date: July 2022 - June 2023.
Activity: Vegetable Gardening (BR, EM, MT)
Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky, Container Gardening
Inputs: Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Volunteers, Multipurpose Community Action, Spencer County Library.
Date: March 2023 - June 2023.
Activity: Pesticide Application Training (BR)
Content or Curriculum: Private application training and commercial applicator training
Inputs: Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Volunteers.
Date: February 2023.
Activity: Agriculture Field Day (BR)
Content or Curriculum: Production Methods, Water Quality, UK publications.
Inputs: Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Community Volunteers, University of Kentucky CES, Spencer Co. Soil Conservation.
Date: August 2022 – September 2022.
Activity: Raising the Steaks (BR)
Content or Curriculum: Variety of Cattle and Meat Production Topics, including Health and Nutrition
Inputs: UK Specialists
Date: October 2022 - December 2022.
Project or Activity: Farmer’s Dinner Theatre (EM, BR, MT)
Content or Curriculum: Farmer’s Dinner Theatre Curriculum and Supporting Materials
Inputs: County Extension Council, Local Producers, Louisville Area Cattleman’s, Kentucky Farm Bureau, Spencer County Schools.
Date: January 2023 - February 2023.
Project or Activity: Master Gardner Activities/Class (EM, BR, MT)
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardner Materials, University of Kentucky gardening resources, University of Kentucky Marketing resources
Inputs: Master Gardner Volunteer, local Farmer's Market Committee, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Date: July 2022 - June 2023.
Project or Activity: Spencer County Beekeepers Association (BR)
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky beekeepers and pollinator resources, University of Kentucky Marketing resources
Inputs: University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, local producers.
Date: July 2022 - June 2023.
Audience: Youth
Activity: Livestock, Country Hams, Rabbits, Poultry, and Dairy (MT)
Content or Curriculum: Animal science materials and approved curriculum.
Inputs: Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Farmer’s Market Committee, Spencer County FFA, Certified 4-H Livestock Club Leaders, Certified Horse Club Leader, Community Volunteers.
Date: July 2022 – June 2023.
Activity: Farm Safety (EM, BR, MT)
Content or Curriculum: Small and large tractor safety materials and classes.
Inputs: Spencer County School System, Family Resource Youth Service Centers, Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Community Volunteers.
Date: July 2022 - June 2023.
Activity: School Aged Windowsill Gardens (EM, BR, MT)
Content or Curriculum: Windowsill Garden Curriculum.
Inputs: Spencer County School System, Family Resource Youth Service Centers, Local Producers, Farmer’s Market Committee, Community Volunteers.
Date: April 2023 - June 2023.
Activity: Elementary Ag Day (EM, BR, MT)
Content or Curriculum: Teaching youth about local agriculture.
Inputs: Spencer County School System, Family Resource Youth Service Centers, Farm Bureau, Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Farmer’s Market Committee, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, Spencer County FFA, Certified 4-H Livestock Club Leaders, Community Volunteers.
Date: March 2023 - May 2023.
Activity: Early Elementary Grow It Learn It (EM, BR, MT)
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Extension Curriculum.
Inputs: Spencer County School System, Family Resource Youth Service Centers, Farm Bureau, Local Producers, University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky State University Specialists, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Farmer’s Market Committee, Community Volunteers.
Date: January 2023 - June 2023.
Project or Activity: Beekeeping (BR, MT)
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky beekeepers and pollinator resources, University of Kentucky Marketing resources, local producers
Inputs: University of Kentucky Specialist, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, local producers.
Date: July 2022 - June 2023.
Author: Bryce Roberts
Major Program: Chemical Management
The Rinse and Return Program is coordinated with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture with local Cooperative Extension Service Offices throughout Kentucky. It is a recycling program that allows for the reuse of plastic containers that previously held pesticides and these containers cannot be recycled with other ordinary household plastics. According to the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, “this reduces the amount of material enteri
Author: Bryce Roberts
Major Program: Master Gardener
With the continued growth in population in Spencer County, the number of horticulture questions continues to increase. Over the past few years, there has been some interest in starting a Master Gardener program to help educate our local residents in proper horticulture techniques. In January 2023, the Spencer County Master Gardener program started. M
Author: Bryce Roberts
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Perhaps someone bought a 5-10 acre home lot on which they are dreaming of homesteading and selling produce from a large garden. Maybe, they are retiring from work, inherited land, and suddenly became the steward of a much larger property. Possibly they are a young farmer leasing land for the first time and looking for a farm to purchase while they establish their business. Beginning farmers, market gardeners, and landowners come with many different situations; but, they tend to have similar inte
