Harlan County CES

Title:

Improve and sustain agriculture production

MAP:

Agriculture Production and Sustainablity

Agents Involved:

Raymond Cox, Jeremy Williams, Heather Maggard

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Horticulture, Commercial

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Beekeeping

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Local Food Systems

Situation:

During discussions with the Harlan County Extension Council, program councils, and volunteer groups, agriculture management was seen as an issue that needs to be addressed. Although the county's commercial agriculture production ranks low, home gardening, landscaping, home fruit production, honey, forestry, and livestock production are still a source of livelihood income for citizens.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Adults and youth will initiate fruit and vegetable production and livestock management practices in order to provide a low cost food source and possible supplementation of income. Citizens will also see economic diversity as a result of being involved and developing agriculture products.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Adults and youth will apply recommended agriculture management practices to their gardens, orchards, beeyards, woodlands, and livestock operations.

Initial Outcomes:

Adults and youth will gain knowledge in gardening and fruit production as it refers to site selection, soil preparation, variety selection, nutrient needs, disease and insect controls, and proper harvesting in order to receive the best products. Adults will gain knowledge in apiary management and assist other beekeepers. Youth and adults will acquire skills in livestock management. They will be able to use best management practices in their operations.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Gain knowledge in agriculture production and management
Indicator: Begin to see improvements in their operations
Method: Attendance at workshops, reports, visits
Timeline: Throughout year

Intermediate Outcome: Adults and youth will gain knowledge of agriculture production
Indicator: Adults and youth will apply the knowledge they have learned
Method: Participate in workshops, 4-H events, site visits, reports
Timeline: Throughout year

Long-term Outcome: Adults and youth will gain knowledge in agriculture production and management
Indicator: Improvement will be made in their landscapes, orchards, beeyards and livestock production
Method: Number of adults and youth attending workshops and participating in agriculture management activities
Timeline: Throughout year

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Adult

Project or Activity:  Home Gardening

Content or Curriculum:  UK gardening publications, presentations, 

Inputs:  Staff, specialists, leaders

Date:  Spring and Summer 2023

Audience:  Adult

Project or Activity:  Cumberland Gap Cattle Conference

Content or Curriculum:  UK, VT, UT extension publications and curriculum

Inputs:  Staff and specialists from UK, VT and UT

Date:  Winter 2023

Audience:  Adult

Project or Activity:  Backyard Poultry Production

Content or Curriculum:  Extension Poultry Publications

Inputs:  Staff, leaders

Date: Spring 2023

Audience: K-6

Project or Activity: Windowsill Garden/Grow Your Own Tomatoes

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Grow Your Own Tomatoes

Inputs: Staff, teachers

Date: April 2023

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Harlan County Beekeepers

Content or Curriculum: UK and KSU publications, updates from KDA, 

Inputs: Staff, leaders, guest speakers

Date: Meeting each month

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Home Fruit Production

Content or Curriculum: UK horticulture publications

Inputs: Staff, UK Specialists, volunteers

Date: February / March 2023

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: Chick Incubation

Content or Curriculum: Presentations, hands-on, publications

Inputs: Staff, teachers, volunteers

Date: Spring 2023

Audience: 4th-12th grade

Project or Activity: 4H Garden Club

Content or Curriculum: Gardening booklets, publications

Inputs: Staff, volunteers

Date: Spring 2023

Success Stories