Casey County CES

Title:

Farm and Environmental Sustainability

MAP:

Encouraging Environmental Sustainability

Agents Involved:

Meagan Klee, Kelsey Woodrum

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Chemical Management

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Agriculture & Natural Resources

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

Situation:

Kentucky has much to offer in the way of agriculture. Of Kentucky’s total acreage (25.4 million acres), over 50% (12.9 million acres) is farmland (NASS, 2019). Kentucky farms produce a variety of agricultural products. The top five agricultural commodities (based on sales) in the Commonwealth include broilers, all other animals and products, soybeans, corn, and cattle and calves (USDA ERS, 2020). Kentucky agricultural sales in 2018 were reported at $5.9 billion (USDA ERS, 2020). Of the 75,966 farms in Kentucky, over 90% are individually or family owned. The average age of a Kentucky producer is 56.2 years old, with over 55% of producers 55 years old or older (NASS, 2019).

Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is disconnect between the food we eat and where that food comes from. Today’s society lacks understanding regarding agricultural production and processing (Spielmaker and Leising, 2013). The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program strives to increase agricultural literacy among youth in Kentucky. The Agricultural Education in Secondary Schools Committee established by the National Research Council (1988) described an agriculturally literate person as one who’s “…understanding of the food and fiber system would include its history and its current economic, social, and environmental significance to all” (p. 8). The National Agriculture Literacy Logic Model defines an agriculturally literate person as one “…who understands and can communicate the source and value of agriculture as it affects our quality of life” (Spielmaker et al., 2014, p. 2). One of the key initiatives in Kentucky 4-H is to increase a young person’s awareness of the impact agriculture has on his/her daily life.

Casey County is a rural community placed in south central Kentucky with 63% identified as farm land. There are a total of 1,118 farms with an average size of 160 acres. With 92.8% of these farms being operated by a family or individual, continued agriculture education is imperative.

Consumers have become more concerned with where their food comes from and the sustainability of it. This interest has pushed many producers into creating more sustainable operations to supply this niche market. 27% of respondents in Casey County were most concerned with the sustainability of family farms compared to all other Agriculture and Environment areas. With the guidance of extension specialists and agents these farmers can learn and implement new practices in their operations to not only create a more sustainable environment but also to increase production and profit for farmers.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• 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.
• 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.
• Producers will minimize negative their negative impacts on the environment
• Producers will educate and share with others on best practices for environmental sustainability
• Producers will only apply necessary chemicals onto their land for production.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• 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.
• 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.
• Producers will integrate new management strategies and utilize biological control.
• Producers will use PPE and adopt good practices for storage and disposal of chemicals.
• Producers will gain knowledge on Integrated Pest Management Strategies.
• Producers will recognize the correct methods for using chemical control.
• Producers will understand the importance of testing their waters and soils.

Initial Outcomes:

• 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, wise use of resources, and leadership.
• 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 develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
• Producers will attend pesticide applicator training.
• Producers will collect samples of soil and water to send off for diagnostic training.

Evaluation:

• Long-Term
  • Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture programming.
  • Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H natural resource programming.
  • Number of youth who used the skills and knowledge learned in 4-H to conserve natural resources.
  • Number of youth who participated in overnight, 4-H summer camp(s).
  • Number of youth who participated in day or overnight, 4-H environmental camps at your office, 4-H camp facility, or other location.
  • Number of youth who participated in day or overnight, 4-H non-environmental camps at your office, 4-H camp facility, or other location (i.e. project day camps, etc).
  • Number of producers who saw a decrease in their negative environmental impact due to implemented changes.

• Intermediate

  • Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #6 “Is 4-H A place where you get to figure out things for yourself?”
  • Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?”
  • Number of youth who plan and implement an agriculture project (e.g., livestock project, horse project, etc.).
    1. Number of producers who understand the proper use and application of chemicals.
    2. Number of producers who gained knowledge on diagnostic testing for soil and water.
    3. Number of producers who check their fields, greenhouses, and/or fields regularly for pests and diseases.
    4. Number of producers who integrated best practices and biological controls into their operations.
• Initial 
  • Number of youth who gained an understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food, fiber, and wood products.
  • Number of youth who have gained an understanding of ecosystems in Kentucky.
  • Number of producers who collected soil samples for testing.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Casey County Youth

Project/Activity: Ag Safety Day

Content/Curriculum: Progressive Ag Safety Curriculum

Input: Extension Staff, Casey County School Systems, Cattlemen’s Association, Conservation District, Farm Bureau, local FFA Chapter and local volunteers

Date: April

Audience: 4-H Members

Project/Activity: 4-H Country Ham Project

Content/Curriculum: 4-H Country Ham Curriculum

Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Certified Livestock Volunteer

Date: January - October

Audience: Casey County Youth/4-H Members interested in horses

Project/Activity: 4-H Horse Club

Content/Curriculum: 4-H Horse Curriculum

Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Certified Horse Volunteers, Parent/Guardian Volunteers

Date: September - August

Audience: Casey County Students

Project/Activity: Farm Bureau National Ag Week & Ag Literacy Week

Content/Curriculum: 4-H Agricultural Resources

Input: Extension Staff and Casey County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee

Date: Spring

Audience: Casey County 4^th Graders

Project/Activity: Overnight Environmental Education Camp

Content/Curriculum: Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, Project Wild, Project Underground, Embryology

Input: Extension Staff, Extension Staff, 4-H Camp Staff, local volunteers 

Date: Spring

Audience: 4^th Graders

Project/Activity: In-School 4-H Clubs/Enrichment

Content/Curriculum: Project Learning Tree, Project Wet, Project Wild, Project Underground

Input: Extension Staff and Casey County School System

Date: September – April

Audience: 4-H Members

Project/Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Club

Content/Curriculum: Kentucky 4-H Shooting Sports

Input: 

Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, Certified Shooting Sports Volunteers, Parent/Guardian Volunteers

Date: March - October

Audience: Casey County Youth and Adults

Project/Activity: Hook & Cook and Field to Fork

Content/Curriculum: UK CAFÉ Curriculum and Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife

Input: Extension Staff, Extension Specialists, KDFW

Date: Summer and Fall

 

Audience: Casey County Farmers

Project/Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Training

Content/Curriculum: UK Publications

Input: Extension Agents, UK CAFÉ Specialists

Date: Spring

 

Audience: Commercial Horticulture Producers

Project/Activity: Integrated Pest Management Strategies Workshop

Content/Curriculum: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, UK CAFÉ Publications

Input: Extension Agents, UK CAFÉ Specialists, Farmers Market

Date: Spring

Audience: Casey County Beef Producers

Project/Activity: BQCA Training

Content/Curriculum: BQCA Materials

Input: Extension Agents, Extension Specialists

Date: Spring and Fall

Success Stories