Extension
It Starts With Us
4-H Agriculture
Agriculture, Horticulture and Environmental Awareness
Steve Conrad, Cathy Fellows, Rusty Wolf
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Wendell Berry (1990), Kentucky novelist, poet, environmentalist, and farmer, stated that “…eating is an agricultural act” (p.1). Unfortunately, for many, there is a 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.
- 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 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 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.
- Outcome to be Evaluated
- Youth plan and implement an agriculture project (e.g., livestock project, horse project, etc.).
- Indicator of Success for Outcome
- Youth complete an agricultural project.
- Method of Evaluation
- Oral or 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey at conclusion of learning activity
- Program Indicators
- Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture programming (PRACTICE)
- Number of youth who gained an understanding of the role of agriculture in the production of food, fiber, and wood products (KOSA)
- 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?” (SEEC)
- 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?” (SEEC)
- 4-H Livestock Program
- Curriculum: Acres of Adventures 1 and 2; Kentucky Farm 2 School; Project Food, Land, and People; Livestock Volunteer Certification Resource Kit; Beef Resource Handbook; Beef Project and Record Book; Beef, Sheep, Swine Selection Evaluation; Dairy Cow Project and Record Book; Dairy Heifer Project and Record Book; Dairy Resource Handbook; 4-H Dairy Cattle 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Dairy Judging Resources; Goat Project and Record Book; Goat Resource Book; Sheep Resource Handbook; Market Lamb Project and Record Book; Sheep Breeding Project and Record Book; Swine Resource Handbook; Market Hog Project and Record Book; Swine Breeding Project and Record Book
- Training: Livestock Volunteer Certification Training (Dec. 23)
- 4-H Livestock Club monthly meetings (Sept. 2023-April 2024, monthly)
- 4-H Livestock Shows at the Boone Co. Fair (August)
- 4-H Livestock Judging team practice sessions (Oct. 2023-June 2024, weekly)
- State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest (June 2024)
- 4-H Horse Program
- Curriculum: 4-H Project Horse Record Book; Horse Achievement Levels 1, 2; Horse Volunteer Certification Resource Kit
- Training: Horse Volunteer Certification Training (November & January)
- 4-H Horse Educational Hours (Oct. 2023-April 2024)
- State 4-H Horse Show (July 2024)
- County Show at Fair (August)
- 4-H Poultry Program
- Curriculum: A Classroom Journey through the Life Cycle; Poultry Project and Record Book
- 4-H Livestock Club meetings (Sept 2023-July 2024, monthly)
- 4-H Poultry Show at the Boone Co. Fair (August 2024)
- Classroom Chick Incubation (Feb. 24-Apr. 24)
- 4-H Country Ham Program
- Curriculum: How to Make a Country Ham Publication; How to Cure a Country Ham Video
- 4-H country ham meetings (Jan. 2024, May 2024, July 2024, August 2024)
- 4-H county country ham speech competition (July 24)
- 4-H state country ham speech and ham competition (Aug. 24)
- 4-H Rabbit Program
- Curriculum: 4-H Rabbit 1, 2, 3, and Helper’s Guide; Rabbit Learning Lab Kit
- 4-H Rabbit Show at the Boone Co. Fair (August 2024)
- 4-H Cat Club
- 4-H Cat Club meetings (Sept. 23-Aug. 24)
Author: Rusty Wolf
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
Youth in Boone County have a growing disconnect with agriculture due to rapid urbanization. Our County Extension Council and District board have also come to this conclusion, so we partnered to put on farm frenzy.Farm Frenzy is a weeklong field trip event for 2nd to 3rd grade students to come and view various stations about the agricultural industry in Kentucky and in Boone County. The stations were: beef cattle, dairy cattle, swine, sheep/goats, horses, tractors, honeybees, gardening, poultry,
Author: Cathy Fellows
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
Many of today’s youth live in larger towns and cities away from farms, some unaware of where the food they eat actually comes from.Boone County Kentucky is located at the northernmost part of the State and has a population of 139,093 people. 1. In September 2023, the University of Kentucky’s Boone County Cooperative Extension offered the Farm Frenzy Program to all second and third grade students from Boone County Kentucky. 776 youth attended the three-day Farm Frenzy agricultu
Author: Rusty Wolf
Major Program: Science, Engineering, and Technology
The problemAccording to the US Bureau of labor and statistics agriculture is the most dangerous sector in America with around 23.1 deaths per 100,000 workers. Petroleum power portion of 4-H SET curriculum has long been underused in this county and this was a trial run of the interest with the youth in our county.The educational program responseIt is important for extension to install proper farm safety practices at a young age in our traditional agricultural audience. For this program I pa
Author: Rusty Wolf
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
The problemAccording to the 2023 Cooperative Extension Needs Assessment for Boone County the number 3 issue is sustainability of family farms. In an urban county the agricultural land is always at risk of development, the population of Boone County has grown around 50,000 people since 2000. With a population growing as fast as it is and industry being developed all around the airport it is important to try and preserve the heritage and agriculture of Boone County.The educational program response
