Extension
It Starts With Us
Expanding Opportunities for Technology, Sustainability, and Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Quality, Education, and Innovation
Jeremy Teal, Erika Lyons, Curtis Dame, Katie Jury, and Katherine Jury
Chemical Crop Management Tools
Urban Environments (water issues)
Ag Water Quality Program
Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
Producers, Youth, and Citizens will learn scientific research
techniques, responsible practices and innovative technologies that positively address science, environmental and technology issues in Kentucky. In addition to technology and its incorporation other issues that clients in Hopkins County have expressed interest in include Water Quality, Pesticide Safety, and sustainable practices. Developing and implementing Agriculture Water Quality Plans and Nutrient Management Plans can help farmers stay compliant with state laws, protect water quality, improve farm operations, and maximize profits. Educational programs for agricultural producers include county producer meetings, Master Gardener classes, and community coalitions. Collaborations with conservation districts and USDA service centers will strengthen county programs and maximize opportunities for farmers.
Reduce environmental impact to water, soil, or air
Protect and improve water quality
Maximize profits for Agriculture producers
Educate Youth on efficient production methods
Increase understanding of various production methods
Volunteers extend the educational outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service in areas such as community gardens, youth gardening, environmentally sustaining lawn and garden practices, and other topics.
Develop or update plans
• Urban Environments (water issues)
• Nutrient Management
• Implement Ag Water Quality Plans
Evaluate weather and physical conditions when making decisions
• Evaluate problem areas during seasons of challenging weather (excess rainfall, drought, etc.)
• Evaluate chemical storage, handling, and disposal
Participants (certified EMG volunteers) put into practice the skills learned when completing volunteer hours and working with clientele.
Youth put into practice knowledge and skills necessary regarding sounds environmental practices.
Understand importance of clean water
Increase knowledge of best management practices for protecting and improving water quality
Demonstrate proper use of
sprayers and equipment related to application (calibration, nozzle selection, boom height, etc.)
Identify active ingredients in chemical products and relate to modes of action
Read and comprehend directions for applying chemicals (timing, application conditions)
Initial Outcome: Increased knowledge of Environmental laws, regulations and proper practices
Indicator: Surveys and certification completion
Method: Private applicator trainings and clinics
Timeline: 2017-2018
Intermediate Outcome: Increased knowledge of local production practices and roles
Indicator: Master Gardener certification and participation; BQA Certification and Master Grazer programming
Method: EMG Curriculum, Meetings and Field Days
Timeline: 2017-2018
Long-term Outcome: Reduce environmental impact to water, soil, or air. Increase profits for agriculture enterprises
Indicator: CEDIK Survey Data, Ag Census Data, Hay Testing Program, Farmer's Market Productivity, and Producer profitability
Method: Surveys, ON-site visits, Client adoption of practices and shared-use equipment usage rates.
Timeline: 2017-2020
Audience: Grain Crop Producers, Home Owners, and Commercial Vegetable Producers
Project or Activity: Private Applicator Trainings
Content or Curriculum: Pesticide Training Modules
Inputs: Extension Agents, County Extension Office, Shared-use demonstrations and supplies
Date: 2017-2018
Audience: Master Gardeners
Project or Activity: Spring Lawn and Garden Fair/ Community Gardens
Content or Curriculum: Efficient and Sustainable Produce Production Methods
Inputs: Hands-on Activities, Field Days, Trainings, and Certifications
Date: 2017-2018
Audience: Hopkins County Youth and 4-H Members
Project or Activity: SET and Natural Resources programming
Content or Curriculum: Environment and SET Core curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Field Days and Trips
Date: 2017-2018
Author: Erika Wood
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
~A summer gardening class series was conducted at the Hopkins County Extension Office as a way to meet the increasing demands of Hopkins County residents interested in various lawn and garden topics. Three different classes were taught in the summer of 2017. The first class was on Landscape Plants for Shade. This class taught about the different kinds of ornamental plants that thrive in various shady conditions of a garden. The second class was called Gardening and Your H
Author: Curtis Dame
Major Program: Farm Management
Farm equipment continues to grow in size and depending on the time of year the frequency on local roadways will increase as well. With that said safety should always be a contributing factor in how producers and motorists plan for encounters on local roadways. Recently cooperative efforts were made between Agriculture and Natural Resource Agents in Hopkins and Muhlenberg Counties to address this growing concern of farm equipment safety on Kentucky roadways. In order to address key areas of conce
Author: Curtis Dame
Major Program: Grain Crops
Farm management relies heavily on understanding the costs of production, proper management and utilization of technology and research. For the second year agriculture and natural resource agents from the counties of Hopkins, Muhlenberg, and Webster have worked cooperatively with the Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation to plan and host the Roots to Riches Agri-preneurial Conference in hopes of promoting increased risk management as well as providing a one-stop shop for lo
Author: Erika Wood
Major Program: Master Gardener
The Spring Lawn and Garden Fair is a program run by the Pennyroyal Master Gardener Association. The fair takes place at the Hopkins County Extension Service and offers a variety of activities including educational talks and demonstrations relating to horticulture, lawn and garden vendors, plant sales, and activities for children. The purpose of the fair is to educate local residents about different topics relating to horticulture, as well as raising awareness of the Master Gardener program
Author: Curtis Dame
Major Program: Grain Crops
Corn Production in Western Kentucky has been historically management intensive. This statement relies heavily on a high level of management, input and other factors needed to ensure a profitable yield and hopefully profit for producers. One such input that can inflate production prices is the use of nitrogen during the crop season. Hopkins County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources along with one of his data driven producers have focused efforts on improving profitability by ev
Author: Curtis Dame
Major Program: Farm Management
Since 2013 on-farm research in Hopkins County has been a well received program provided by extension personnel. With that said efforts have been made to answer producer questions related to products that been highly touted, but lack data to prove that claims of profit increases are actually tested and sound. Expansion of these efforts have been driven by producer committees that have selected which products would be tested. In the spring of 2018 data analysis showed significant results on a majo
Author: Erika Wood
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
In the past two years, the Pennyroyal Master Gardener Association has held a spring and fall plant swap at the Hopkins County Farmers Market. The purpose of the plant swap was to give the community an opportunity to come swap plants with one another. Participants brought plants they were willing to give away and then could pick from plants donated by other participants to take home. A wide range of plants were brought to the swap and included the following: herbaceous perennial
