Extension
It Starts With Us
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agriculture and Environment
Davidson, Easley, Williams, and Mobley
Farm Management, Economics and Policy
Local Food Systems
Agriculture
Established and new agriculture producers are looking for ways to increase farm income in order to offset the increasing price of farm inputs, high land rent, and lower prices. It is important to educate producers on best management practices to : keep costs down, optimize income through management and marketing, be good stewards of the land and practice good animal welfare. Educational programs are targeted to provide producers with tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable. Kentucky's population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, need exists to educate people, including youth, about the importance of agriculture and its impact on their daily life, the local economy and environment. 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 2008, Kentucky ranked 18th in total energy consumption and 7th in energy consumption per capita. In 2010, the statewide household participation rate for all curbside garbage collection types was 86.6%. In 2010, Kentuckians recycled 35.7% of all municipal solid waste and 29% of common household recyclables. The average Kentuckian used 67 gallons of water per person per day.
Sustain Kentucky agriculture • Social • Economic • Environmental
- Minimize environmental impact
- Support new and beginning agriculture producers
- Public and youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.
- Public and youth will be agriculturally literate
- Public and youth will be advocates for environmental sustainability and stewardship
Youth will explain the importance and role of natural resources and agriculture in daily life
Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect natural resources.
Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations
Participants will have used Extension resources in making decisions related to production agriculture and environmental issues.
Implement best practice to: improve soil health, conserve soil and/or water, pesticide applications and safety, IPM management strategies, pollinator protection, farm management strategies, input costs and marketing strategies to increase income, increase sustainability
Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, plant and soil science, environmental sciences and natural resources content
Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agriculture systems, environmental sustainability and stewardship
Youth will develop valuable life-skills including decision making, crtitical thinking, communication, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership
Participants will increase their knowledge: of horticulture and best practices in soil health, water conservation, and chemical use, gain IPM practices, environmental sustainability, pollinator protection, utilizing different testing and diagnostic services in order to improve management and production, record keeping and financial management, animal best management practices and resources, crop productions practices and resources, and marketing strategies and resources.
Initial Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, plant and soil science, environmental sciences and natural resources content
Indicator: increased ability and confidence in communicating, demonstrating and making decisions that pertain to agriculture, environment and resources
Method: verbal communication, formative and summative evaluations, competitions
Timeline: year round
Intermediate Outcome:Implement best practice to: improve soil health, conserve soil and/or water, pesticide applications and safety, IPM management strategies, pollinator protection, farm management strategies, input costs and marketing strategies to increase income, increase sustainability
Indicator: increased implementation of best practices, increased income and recordkeeping
Method: competitions, verbal communication, 6 month post program evaluations,
Timeline: year round
Long-term Outcome:Participants will increase their knowledge: of horticulture and best practices in soil health, water conservation, and chemical use, gain IPM practices, environmental sustainability, pollinator protection, utilizing different testing and diagnostic services in order to improve management and production, record keeping and financial management, animal best management practices and resources, crop productions practices and resources, and marketing strategies and resources.
Indicator: decreased environmental issues, cleaner water, less pollution, increased environmental and agricultural health of Laurel County, increased farm income and decreased farm inputs
Method: increased farm revenue, verbal communication,
Timeline: year round
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Animal Sciences
Content or Curriculum: 4-H livestock certification kit; 4-H project books
Inputs: local school system, volunteers, extension Agents and staff
Date: Sept-August
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: : 4-H Skill-A-Thon and Judging Clinics
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Livestock Certification Kit
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, KDA staff, volunteers, fairgrounds, fair board, school systems
Date: September - July
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Laurel County Agricultural Fair
Content or Curriculum: 4-H and AG materials, community resources
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, volunteers, FFA Alumni, FFA, Fair Grounds, Fair Boards
Date: July
Audience: Youth
Activity: 4-H Shooting Sports Club
Content or Curriculum: Penn State Shooting Sports curriculum; UK resources
Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff, Volunteers
Date: February- September
Audience: Youth, Adults
Activity: Beekeepers Association
Content or curriculum: local beekeepers
Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff, Volunteers, Extension Office, UK specialists, KDA,
Date: monthly, February-October
Audience: Families
Activity: Victory Garden
Content or curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: community garden, families Extension agents and Staff,
Date: May-October
Audience: Adults, Youth
Activity: Animal Health Demo
Content or curriculum: Extension
Inputs: WTA handling facility, Animals, volunteers, cattleman, Extension Agents and staff, FFA, School System
Date: seasonal (March and October)
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Reproduction Study Beef Cows
Content or Curriculum: UK Agricultural Specialists
Inputs: Cows, WTA handling facility, Farmers, Ky Beef Network
Date: Spring and Fall
Audience: Youth
Activity: FFA Livestock Club Programs
Content or Curriculum: School System
Inputs: School system, FFA, Extension Agents and staff, Volunteers, Livestock
Date: August - May
Audience: Adults Youth
Activity: Gardening
Content or curriculum: UK publications and resources, 4-H project books, Jr. Mater Gardener curriculum
Inputs: community garden, extension agents and staff, Specialists, Master Gardeners, Farm owners, volunteers
Date: April- August
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Farm Pond Management Workshop
Content or curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, KSU specialists, farm owners, equipment rental
Date: Fall and Spring
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Farm Record Book Workshop
Content or curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: Extension Agent and staff, farm record books and CD's, Volunteers, CPA,
Extension Office
Date: Winter
Audience: Adults
Activity: Community Garden
Demo and Teaching Garden
Content or curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, specialists, volunteers, community garden
Date: May-October
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Produce Best Practices Training
Content or curriculum: KDA, UK
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, Extension office
Date: Spring
Audience: Adults
Activity: Integrated Pest Management
Content or curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, extension Office, Volunteers
Date: Spring
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Private Pesticide Applicator Training
Content or curriculum: UK publications; Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, extension office,
Date: ongoing
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Pregnancy Check Clinic
Content or Curriculum: UK specialists and Agents
Inputs: Cows, Extension Agents and staff, WTA handling facilities, Cattleman, Volunteers
Date: Spring and Fall
Audience: Adults, Youth
Activity: Leadership Training Agricultural Advocate
Content and Curriculum: UK Agents, Farm Bureau
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, Media specialist, Farm Bureau, Volunteers
Date: Winter
Audience: Farmers
Activity: A.I. School
Content and Curriculum: UK specialists publications
Inputs: Cows, Specialists, WTA handling facilities, Volunteers Extension Agents and staff
Date: Fall and Spring
Audience: Woodland Owners
Activity: East KY Woodland Owners Shortcourse
Content and curriculum: UK publications, KY Forestry Dept., KY Fish and Wildlife, NRCS
Inputs: Extension Agents, KY Foresters, KY Fish and Wildlife Officers, NRCS Conservationists
Date: August
Audience: General public
Activity: Household Waste Management: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Content and curriculum: Household Waste Management: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Inputs: Extension Agents, City Recycling department
Date: ongoing using social media
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Food Preservation
Content or Curriculum: FCS materials
Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff
Date: Summer
Audience: Farmers
Project or Activity: Southeast Kentucky Sheep Producers Asosciation
Content or Curriculum: UK, KSU, KDA materials
Inputs: Extension agents, staff, sheep producers, UK and KSU specialists
Date: Spring (Annual Meeting) and Fall (Field Day)
Author: Steven Mobley
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
I attended an invasive species training in Frankfort. Several invasive species were identified. These invasive species have harmed the natural environment in several different ways, including out competing native species and not providing food for wildlife like the native plants have done in the past. Invasive plants and native plants have distinct characteristics and impacts on their ecosystems:Native PlantsAdaptation: Native plants are naturally found in a specific region and have adapte
Author: Elizabeth Easley
Major Program: Agriculture
Describe the Issue or Situation According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, most Americans are three generations removed from the farm, and only 2% of the population are involved in farming. In Laurel County, 841 farms are in operation. Youth who raise market animals learn how to raise wholesome and nutritious food as they take on the responsibility of raising an animal that will become part of the food chain. Animal-sourced foods provide high-quality protein and key micronutrients es
Author: Victor Williams
Major Program: Beef
The Wilderness Trail Area ANR agents developed a series of hands-on beef programs over the last year, including marketing, predator control, reproduction, and beef quality assurance. The most recent program was a collaboration between specialists and agents called the Bull Value Assessment Program. This is a two-week program where producers learn how to read EPDs of bulls and apply them to real-world situations in the first week. In the second week, they are given a cattle mana
Author: Steven Mobley
Major Program: Beef
Wilderness Trail Area Bull Evaluation Program The Wilderness Trail Area ANR agents developed a series of hands-on beef programs over the last year, including marketing, predator control, reproduction, and beef quality assurance. The most recent program was a collaboration between specialists and agents called the Bull Value Assessment Program. This is a two-week program where producers learn how to read EPDs of bulls and apply them to real-world situations in the first week. &nb
