Extension
It Starts With Us
Environmental Education, 4H Land Judging
Environmental Education
Garrard Coffey, Alyssa Cox
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Rockcastle County natural resources are being increasingly challenged. As population increases and commercial and residential development grows, land, timber, water, and other resources meet increasing pressure. Informal and formal educational methods will be applied to improve awareness and increase positive behavior of youth and adults in relation to their natural environment.
Natural resource protection and environmental quality will improve. Because of increased knowledge, awareness, and improved behavior of local citizens toward these issues, environmental quality will improve.
Citizens will practice proper behavior in relation to their natural environment and use proper methods and practices of soil, timber, and water protection. Citizens will practice better methods of protecting water and land and use proper disposal of trash and sewage.
Youth and adults will learn and know proper use and protection of soil, water, and other natural resources. Environmental issues such as water pollution, soil erosion, and air quality will become part of our knowledge base.
Initial Outcome: 1st time Land Judgers complete County training and State Fair competition.
Indicator: Number completing 1st time County training and State Fair results.
Method: Classroom and field clinics and State Fair competition.
Timeline: June-August
Intermediate Outcome: 4H Land judger return for additional training completing Junior division and advancing to Senior division.
Indicator: Number returning, years experience and state competition results.
Method: Classroom, Field clinics and State Fair competition.
Timeline: June-August
Long-term Outcome: 4H Land judger utilize skills developed in County training and State competition to win state senior division and represent State at National competition.
Indicator: Number advancing to Senior team competition showing their knowledge of land characteristics which effect use as well as conservation measures needed to protect land.
Method: Field clinics and State Fair competition
Timeline: June-August
Audience: 4H Youth
Project or Activity: County Land Judging Field Clinics and State Fair Competition, Residential camps, Earth Day programs, Environmental Days, Water Quality Programs, Outdoor Education, and Local Field Days
Content or Curriculum: Classroom and field training on slope, erosion and potential cropping, and conservation measures.
Inputs: Agent training on 4H Land Judging Manual, field hands on slope and soils evaluation, on site demonstrations
Date: June, July, August
Audience: Agriculture Producers
Project or Activity: Water Quality Workshop,
Content or Curriculum: State water quality to complete Water Quality Plan.
Inputs: Agent use State Water Quality material to complete individual plans.
Date: January-March
Author: Alyssa Cox
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
The problemAccording to the National Home Education Research Institute, there were about 3.1 million homeschooled students in 2021-2022 in grades K-12 in the United States. The number of homeschooled students has significantly increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. When children are taught in a home setting, there may be limited opportunities for them to interact with other children and develop the social-emotional skills acquired in group settings. In Rockcastle County, the homeschooling commun
Author: Alyssa Cox
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
The problemBy teaching young people about the natural world in which we live, we can encourage sustainable practices and informed decision-making. The 4-H Environmental Education Camp is an opportunity for young people to learn about natural resources in a safe outdoor setting. Rockcastle County Gifted and Talented students were eager to learn more about the world around them. These students typically perform at higher levels in academic settings compared to their age peers, often excelling in o
