Environmental StewardshipPlan of Work

Back to the Program

Shelby County CES

Title:
Environmental Stewardship
MAP:
Agricultural & Environmental Awareness & Sustainability
Agents Involved:
Corinne Belton, Regina Browning, Candice Hollingsworth, Elizabeth Coots, Skye Drane (Hort Tech)
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Chemical Management
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Soil testing
Situation:

Over the last 15 years, Shelby County has experienced a large influx of growth from Louisville Metro and surrounding counties. This growth has led to a large non-rural population that has limited knowledge of rural environments, natural resources, and sustaining those for future generations. Local leadership identified a need for educational programming in this area to help protect and beautify our county's natural resources. By understanding how our daily choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for present and future generations.


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 Cattlemen, Master Stocker or Master Grazer meetings, field days, and/or farm visits. Collaborations with conservation districts and USDA service centers will strengthen county programs and maximize opportunities for farmers.

Long-Term Outcomes:

*Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation

*Youth will use scientific techniques, responsible practices, and innovative technologies that will positively sustain the natural resources in the home, community and world.

*Reduce environmental impact to water, soil, or air

*Protect and improve water quality

*Improve efficiency of manure handling

*Reduce environmental impacts of winter feeding areas

*Reduction of lawn, landscape, and garden additives

*Reduce level of pollutants in stormwater

Intermediate Outcomes:

*Youth will make decisions in their daily lives that positively impact natural resources

*Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community

*Youth will use problem solving and logical reasoning skills and apply them to environmental issues.

*Develop or update plans: Ag Water Quality, Nutrient Management, Implement Ag Water Quality Plans

*Adopt best practices for water Quality, nutrient and/or soil management:

•Adopt conservation practices appropriate to farming operation

•Maintain records of practice implementation

•Maintain records of nutrient applications

•Adopt appropriate manure handling practices

•Maintain vegetative buffers along water bodies

•Adopt appropriate fallen livestock disposal practices

*Make informed decisions on daily activities and actions that affect water quality

*Make informed decisions on use of lawn, landscape and garden additives

*Complete soil tests and apply plant nutrients accordingly

*Apply lawn, landscape and garden additives as recommended including: handling, application, disposal, and environmental conditions

Initial Outcomes:

*Youth will develop an interest in environmental sciences and sustainable practices and technologies

*Youth will gain knowledge of the interrelationship and interdependencies within an eco-system

*Youth will identify the natural resources that are used within their home and community

*Increase knowledge of best management practices for protecting and improving water quality

*Recognize best management practices for soil conservation

*Identify best management practices for nutrient management

*Define watershed

*Define stormwater

*Recognize the water quality issues/needs on their property, at their school, in the community

*Understand the benefits of native plants and non-aggressive perennials in the landscape

*Learn how to take a soil test

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Program participants will gain knowledge about how to identify, protect and enhance their own natural resources. Increased recycling, use of native plants, and soil sample submissions.

Indicator: Pounds of materials recycled, number of native plants planted, number of soil sample submissions.

Method: Interview local recycling center, native plants survey, soil sample numbers

Timeline: Annually


Intermediate Outcome: Participants will utilize best management practices and keep records of management practices.

Indicator: Number of program participants utilizing BMPs and keeping records

Method: Observation and surveys

Timeline: Annually


Long-term Outcome: Decrease in unnecessary and off-label pesticide use, increased efficiency of manure handling, increased use of winter feeding areas, reduction of pollutants in storm water

Indicator: Decreased levels of pollutants in water

Method: Interviews, coordination with local water, clean community and city engineer employees

Timeline: Annually

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Community members

Project or Activity: Pesticide Safety

Content or Curriculum: Class for homeowners and certification classes for producers, farm demonstration for sprayer calibration

Inputs: Agents, specialists, UK publications/videos

Date: Year Round


Audience: Community members

Project or Activity: Master Gardener Program and Volunteerism

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener curriculum

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, MG curriculum

Date:  Spring 2024-2025


Audience: Community members

Project or Activity: Soil, Water, and Plant Health Classes

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener curriculum, UK Publications

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, MG curriculum

Date: Spring/Summer 2024-2025


Audience: Community Members, Home Gardeners

Project or Activity: Managing Invasive Species

Content or Curriculum: UK publications, MG Curriculum

Inputs: UK publications, specialists, agents, horticulture technician

Date: Summer 2025


Audience: Community Members, Home Gardeners

Project or Activity: Plant ID and Selection Classes

Content or Curriculum: UK publications, MG Curriculum

Inputs: UK publications, specialists, agents, horticulture technician

Date: Yearly. Herbaceous Plants in Spring, Grasses in Summer/Fall, Woody Plants in Fall/Winter 2025


Audience: Community members, Master Gardeners

Project or Activity: Tim McClure Botanical Garden Beautification/Education Project

Content or Curriculum: Classes on topics such as pruning, herbs, perennials, weed management, IRM

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, UK publications

Date: July-October 2023, February/March 2024-2025


Audience: Community members

Project or Activity: Native Bareroot Tree Handouts

Content or Curriculum: UK publications, Shelby County Conservation District Resources

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, UK publications

Date: March 2025 (Annual Event)


Audience: 4-H School Clubs

Project or Activity: Windowsill Gardening

Content or Curriculum: Natural Resources Curriculum

Inputs: curriculum, seeds, trays and supplies

Date: April 2025


Audience: 4-H School Clubs

Project or Activity: Sum of the Parts Lesson

Content or Curriculum: Natural Resources Curriculum, Project Wet

Inputs: curriculum, classroom supplies

Date: November 2024


Audience: Beginning Farmers and Homeowners

Project or Activity: Beginning Farmer/Gardener

Content: Beginning Farmer, FarmStart, farm and garden basics

Input: Agents, specialists, KCARD

Date: October 2024


Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Native Plants and Grasses

Content: Forage and Native Plants publications

Input: Agents, specialists

Date: Spring/Summer and Winter 2025


Updated 5/5/2024

Back to the Program