Implementing environmental stewardship at home, on the farm and in the community through STEaM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture Sustainability, & Mathematics) and natural resource educationPlan of Work

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Pendleton County CES

Title:
Implementing environmental stewardship at home, on the farm and in the community through STEaM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture Sustainability, & Mathematics) and natural resource education
MAP:
Agriculture and Environment
Agents Involved:
Kenna Knight, Lydia Gosney, Lindie Huffman
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Small Farm Diversification
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Agriculture
Situation:

Situation

Pendleton County is a limited resource county that sits 45 minutes south of the major metropolis of Cincinnati.   The county has immense natural resources that have been tapped for agricultural production as well as recreational activities.  While many are appreciative of the natural beauty of the county, there are a number of individuals who lack pride for their community and are unaware of the detrimental impact that littering and pollution has on our wildlife, waterways, parks, etc. Understanding how daily choices can impact our environment is vital to conserving and preserving our natural resources and ensuring a healthy environment for present and future generations.  In 2013, Kentucky was ranked 12th for total energy production, 11th for total energy consumed per capita and 15th for total energy expenditures per capita.  

Small business owners are the backbone of Pendleton County, though they face challenges every day and may only be in business for a short period of time. There are very few commercial/chain operations in the county. Pendleton County is home to a total of 2 grocery stores (1 locally owned and a Dollar General marketplace, which opened in 2013). In addition there are 2 convenience stores, 3 fast food restaurants, and 4 Full Service Restaurants. The establishments serve limited selections of produce and other food staples, which limit resident’s accessibility. Most individuals who have access to vehicles travel outside of the county to 4-5 other counties to conduct their routine grocery shopping. On average the population travels between 35-45 minutes to gain access to a wide selection of produce and food products.

To our knowledge there are a minimum of 4 churches who regularly conduct a food bank with distribution once a week. These food banks serve predominantly processed non-perishable food. There has been discussion between a local minister and the agriculture agent on combining the efforts of the community garden with the efforts of the local food bank. Perhaps moving distribution in the summer to the garden location and providing educational opportunities for healthy eating, healthy lifestyles, and gardening. With continued leadership and cooperation from religious organizations this project is highly attainable and would serve low income families and “Teach them how to fish”, which could potentially alter their lifestyles.

 With the increased efforts and attention to local food, urban agriculture, and rural life there is tremendous opportunity to not only market products into the region, but also to draw those urbanites into the rural area to provide them with local food products, and an experience of rural life and the hard work that goes into producing enough food to feed the world. 

The Pendleton County Farmers’ Market is currently located in the central hub and county seat in Falmouth, KY. Operations of the market take place at a vacant gravel lot along Highway 27. At this time the lot is currently for sale as a piece of commercial retail property. The lot offers stupendous road front visibility along the major highway in the county, but does not provide stability or shelter for the market, its members, customers, or products. The market had 6 active members in 2012, 9 in 2013, and has increased to 15 active members for 2015. Total market sales from 2012 to 2014 increased by $10,000. In addition to increasing membership and market sales, the Farmers’ Market has expanded products from basic produce (corn, beans, tomatoes, etc.) to offering added value and finished products such as; wine, jams, jellies, baked goods, farm fresh eggs, cheese, soaps, trees, house plants, bedding plants, honey, etc. There is tremendous interest from members for the opportunity to continue to develop added value products.

The process for producing these added value and finished products, often requires the use of a certified/inspected commercial kitchen. The specifications and process for building a facility are elusive and the project is expensive. To this date there are no commercial kitchens available for hire in the Northern Kentucky Region. The nearest is in Winchester, KY, though Northern, KY farmers’ markets and added value product sectors are booming.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Long-term Outcomes:

Intermediate Outcomes:

Intermediate Outcomes:


Implement practices that will improve, have a cost saving benefit and teach a skill in one or more of the following:


Initial Outcomes:

Initial Outcome:

Initial Outcome:

Change knowledge, opinions, skills, and /or aspirations in understanding issues related to:

Evaluation:

Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Number of adults and youth who make a lifestyle change for the purpose of improving water and/or natural resources for the betterment of the environment and individuals living in it currently and in the future

Decreased unemployment, decrease in demand for emergency food supply, increase WIC participation, Increase in redemption rates for SR/WIC FMNP, Increased participation in senior commodity foods, decrease in need for senior commodity foods, participation in federal school meal programs, increased participation of SNAP-ED, increase in youth choosing careers in agriculture, increase in number of farmers/participants in raising food

Method: pre and post surveys to educational programming, USDA reports, visual witnessing, census, program evaluations, % change in redemption rates for commodity/FMNP voucher programs

Timeline: Throughout the Year


Method: observations, pre and post surveys

Timeline: All year


Intermediate Outcome:


Indicator: Number of adults and youth who make a lifestyle change for the purpose of improving water and/or natural resources for creating healthy safe homes.

Decreased unemployment, decrease in demand for emergency food supply, increase WIC participation, Increase in redemption rates for SR/WIC FMNP, Increased participation in senior commodity foods, decrease in need for senior commodity foods, participation in federal school meal programs, increased participation of SNAP-ED, increase in youth choosing careers in agriculture, increase in number of farmers/participants in raising food

Method: pre and post surveys to educational programming, USDA reports, visual witnessing, census, program evaluations, % change in redemption rates for commodity/FMNP voucher programs

Method:  Observations, pre and post surveys

Timeline: All year


Initial Outcome 

Learn about community support services to increase food security

Indicator: Number of adults and youth who have increased knowledge, made an opinion, learned a skill or developed aspirations related to the environmental education.

Decreased unemployment, decrease in demand for emergency food supply, increase WIC participation, Increase in redemption rates for SR/WIC FMNP, Increased participation in senior commodity foods, decrease in need for senior commodity foods, participation in federal school meal programs, increased participation of SNAP-ED, increase in youth choosing careers in agriculture, increase in number of farmers/participants in raising food

Method: pre and post surveys to educational programming, USDA reports, visual witnessing, census, program evaluations, % change in redemption rates for commodity/FMNP voucher programs

Timeline: Throughout the Year

Learning Opportunities:

Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):


Audience: Families, pre-school, seniors, youth, volunteers

Project or Activity: Environmental and Natural Resources Education, Appreciation and Beautification


    Content or Curriculum: 


    Inputs: 4-H Agent, FCS Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistants, Local Schools, Extension Office, Curriculums listed above, Farmer’s Market, Advisory Councils, Volunteers, North Central Camp, UK instructors and specialists, fair grounds

    Date: throughout the year as dates state above


Audience: Families, pre-school, seniors, youth, volunteers

    Project or Activity: Create safe homes within environments that promote and support the physical and mental well-being of families throughout the lifecycle

Content or Curriculum: 


    Inputs: 4-H Agent, FCS Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistants, Local Schools, Extension Office, Curriculums listed above, Farmer’s Market, Advisory Councils, Volunteers

    Date: throughout the year as dates state above


Audience: Families, pre-school, seniors, youth, volunteers

Project or Activity: Educate individuals on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematical concepts (STEM)

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs: 4-H Agent, FCS Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistants, Local Schools, Extension Office, Curriculums listed above, Volunteers

Date: throughout the year as dates state above  

Audience: Tobacco Producers (AG)
 Activity: Tobacco Programs

Content or Curriculum: 

Inputs: Leader, Extension and other UK Extension Specialists, County Agricultural Board, FSA, local producers and general public, Certified Volunteers

Date: February and March 


Audience: Forage / Beef Producers (AG)
 Activity: Forage Programs

Content or Curriculum: 

Inputs: 

Date:

Audience: CAIP Menu Program (AG)
 Activity: CAIP Menu Program

Content or Curriculum:

Inputs: KADF Resources, UK Publications, Breed Associations, Conservation District, Leader, Extension and other UK Extension Specialists, County Agricultural Board, FSA, local producers and general public, Certified Volunteers
 Date: All Year

Audience: Beef Cattle Producers
 Activity: Production, Marketing, Networking, and Education Courses

Content or Curriculum: 

Inputs: UK Publications, Breed Associations, Leader, Extension and other UK Extension Specialists, County Agricultural Board, FSA, local producers and general public, Certified Volunteers, local veterinarians , Leader, Extension and other UK Extension Specialists, Farms, Livestock Auctions, UK Meat Lab and Butcher Shop, County Agricultural Board, FSA, local producers and general public, Certified Volunteers
 Date: All Year

Audience: Farmers Market / Horticulture Producers (AG, FCS, 4-H)
 
Activity: Develop an organization to allow participants a networking system to enhance production and profitability through various programs and activities. 

Content or Curriculum: 

Inputs: 

Date: All Year, Heavy in Production Season


Audience: Home Horticulture and Consumer 
 Activity: Home Horticulture Programs

Content or Curriculum: 

Inputs: 

Date: All year


Audience: Youth 
 Activity: Educational programs to cultivate students understanding of where their food comes from


Content or Curriculum: 

Inputs: 

Date: All year


Audience: Limited Resource Families
 Activity: Outreach and educational programs to foster life skills, awareness and appreciation of local foods

Content or Curriculum: 

Inputs: 

Date: All year





Success Stories

Recycling Education

Author: Kenna Knight

Major Program: Build Engaged and Empowered Communities – General

Recycling Education

Impact Statement: Recycling Program EnhancementThe Pendleton County Extension Office offered an enhanced recycling program educational effort and drive aimed to encourage more frequent recycling of new items and promote additional sustainable practices within the community.Quantitative results in a follow evaluation and through observation led to our recycling bin having to double it’s service to empty.  99 % of participants have recycling new items.  25 % just started to partici

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