Extension
It Starts With Us
Agriculture Production and Environmental Literacy
Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environment
Adam Huber (ANR), Bailey West (FCS), Anna Meador (4-H)
Horticulture, Commercial
Chemical Management
Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education
Beef
Allen County is located in south central Kentucky where there is an abundant amount of agriculture and wildlife present. According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Allen County is the #1 producer of vegetables and #1 producer of cattle and calve sales in the state. With 21% of the land in Allen County being woodlands and Barren River Lake flowing into the county, there are numerous outdoor activities and accommodations that Allen County has to offer outdoor enthusiasts.
As you can see, Allen County is very diverse and with the help of County Extension Council, we identified the needs in our community, as well as programs that will help community members be more comfortable growing and safely handling their own food, exercising and staying healthy, along with learning the importance of keeping our environment clean and pollution free.
- Maximize best management practices in farming operations
- Participate in civic projects that improve the environment
- Increased sales, profits & participation in farming operations
- Livestock and horticulture increased profit or reduced expenses or risk
- Improve wildlife habitat and environment
- Land owners enhance and maintain wildlife habitat
- Increase participation in outdoor activities
- Apply safety practices in Ag, Environment & wildlife activities
- Employ best practices in livestock & horticulture production
- Demonstrate food safety practices
- Use habitat improvement methods to increase wildlife populations
- Recognize the importance of environmental footprint
- Increase confidence in growing produce and livestock for consumption
- Utilize safety practices in ag, environment, and wildlife
- Learn 3 or more best practices in livestock, health, nutrition, & production
Initial Outcome: Learn 3 or more best practices in livestock, health, nutrition, & production
Indicator: Individuals state that they gained knowledge and will use the knowledge gained on their farming operation
Method: verbal, paper and electronic surveys
Timeline: Annually after completion of programs
Intermediate Outcome Increase participation of outdoor activities
Indicator: Individuals state that they increased physical outdoor activities and exercise
Method: verbal, paper and electronic surveys
Timeline: Annually after completion of programs
Intermediate Outcome: Use habitat improvement methods to increase wildlife populations
Indicator: Individuals state that they gained knowledge and will use the knowledge gained on their farming operation.
Method: verbal, paper and electronic surveys
Timeline: Annually after completion of programs
Long-term Outcome: Maximize best management practices in farming operations
Indicator: Individuals state that they gained knowledge and will use the knowledge gained on their farm to improve yield, profit and BMP
Method: verbal, paper and electronic surveys
Timeline: Annually after completion of programs
Audience: Agriculture producers, elected officials, educators and all stakeholders
Project or Activity: Farm to Table Event
Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market Toolkit, Farm to Table
Inputs: ANR, FCS & 4-H agents, Chamber of Commerce members, donated items
Date: Annually, Fall
Project or Activity: Agriculture Field Day
Content or Curriculum: General Ag content from UK specialist
Inputs: ANR, FCS & 4-H agents, Ag Advisory Committee members, UK specialist, Vendors, donated items
Date: Annually Spring or Fall
Audience: Youth, Families, Stakeholders
Project or Activity: Environmental Camp
Content or Curriculum: Forestry, wildlife & fish, environmental sustainability
Inputs: ANR, FCS, 4-H agents,
Date: Annually, Summer
Project or Activity: 4-H livestock and horse projects
Content or Curriculum: 4-H agriculture core
Inputs: Club leaders, community partners
Date: Annually
Audience: Agriculture producers, business owners, families, youth and stakeholders
Project or Activity: Seed to Sell Program
Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market Toolkit training, Plate It up KY proud, NEP “Grow Your Own” publications, 4-H Communication curriculum, 4-H Entrepreneurship curriculum
Inputs: ANR, FCS, 4-H Agent, youth participants, Allen County Farmers Market, supplies from local vendors
Date: Annually, Spring-Summer
Project or Activity: Farmers Market Education
Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market Toolkit training, Plate It up KY proud
Inputs: ANR, FCS, NEP Assistant, Farmers Market manager/vendors
Date: Annually, May-October
Project or Activity: Wildlife and commercial vegetable meetings
Content or Curriculum: Research from UK specialist, UK publications
Inputs: UK Specialist, ANR Agent, KY Fish and Wildlife, KY Division of Forestry
Date: Annually, Spring, Fall, Winter
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Pumpkin Filed Walk Pumpkin production is on the increase in South Central Kentucky and Allen County ranks #1 in the state for vegetable and melon production, therefore we have a lot of growers in our county and many of them are pumpkin growers. The current demand of locally grown agriculture products, and the booming agritourism industry have opened a market for locally grown pumpkins. Pumpkins, as with all cucurbits, present unique challenges during the heat and humidity of Kentucky&
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Digging Up Ag PodcastIn today’s world, media outlets such as podcasts and social media are one of the best ways to reach clientele with educational resources and information. With these media sources you can be creative, flexible, and really accomplish your goals while reaching people that you may not normally reach with traditional marketing methods.With the growing demand for podcasts, agents from Allen, Monroe and Hart counties teamed up to present a new podcast to clientele called &ldq
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
South Central Kentucky has many producers that operate commercial and home orchards, specifically apples and peaches. In response to the growing number of fruit producers and the need for fruit tree pruning education, the West 8 Agriculture Agents put together a hands-on workshop to help growers with tree care and proper pruning methods. In February 2024 a fruit tree pruning workshop was held on the farm of the Dennison family in Hart County. The Dennison family are long time fruit producer
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Integrated Pest Management
Application of crop protection chemicals and lawn/landscape chemicals is an important industry in South Central Kentucky. Professional applicators must receive training to stay current on issues, pests, techniques, and safety for the products they apply. They have to receive continuing education to maintain their applicator license. The agriculture and horticulture agents around the Mammoth Cave responded to a need for a commercial training opportunity by developing
Author: Adam Huber
Major Program: Tobacco
The Mammoth Cave Area has historically been at the top in tobacco production in KY. Agents from Allen, Barren, Hart, Metcalfe and Monroe Counties cooperated to host a regional Tobacco GAP Training. Tobacco GAP trainings are mandatory yearly trainings required by the major tobacco purchasing companies. Extension is charged with hosting and facilitating these very important trainings. Growers who do not receive the annual training run the risk of not being able to market th
