Farm Mentoring Through Social, Economic, and Environmental AwarenessPlan of Work

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Whitley County CES

Title:
Farm Mentoring Through Social, Economic, and Environmental Awareness
MAP:
Promoting Sustainable Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Moses (Community Arts), Jones (4-H), White (ANR), Prewitt (Horticulture)
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Beef
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Forages
Situation:

The average age of farm producers increased from 56.3 to 57.3 from 2012 to 2017. The 2022 Census is ongoing and not published yet. Kentucky saw the greatest decline in farmland compared to any other state between these years. These statistics echo common issues identified by ANR clientele which included a need for more focus on new/beginning farmers and youth. Also identified was a need for more information about new and emerging markets and innovative, money-saving techniques and practices. Members of the Whitley County ANR Council discussed ways in which these goals could be met through farm mentoring. Also, without bees there could no be sustainable agriculture. Honey bees have a large impact on 15 billion dollars of agricultural industry in the US and from 2015 to 2016 Kentucky lost 30% of it's honeybee hives. Whitley County has an active beekeeper association that is working with the Whitley County Extension Service to educate area residents and increase the amount of healthy, working hives.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Agricultural enterprises managed by new and beginning farmers become more profitable.

An environment is established for the effective inter-generational transfer of innovations and ideas in a variety of areas like beef quality, bee keeping, and horticulture.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Established producers serve as mentors at educational events on a regular basis, through presentations or more informal panel discussions.
Initial Outcomes:
A willingness exists by a number of established producers to share their expertise.

New farmers gain knowledge of success farm practices and innovative solutions.
Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome:

Indicator: New and beginning farmers report profitability

Method: Focus group(s), surveys

Timeline: 2024-2025


Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Established farmers speak/present at organized events

Method: Focus group(s)

Timeline: 2024-2025


Initial Outcome:

Indicator: New farmers report knowledge gained

Method: Survey

Timeline: 2024-2025

Learning Opportunities:

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:


Audience: Beef Producers

Project or Activity: BQA Training

Content or Curriculum: KCA, UK Resources

Input: ANR, Hort Agent

Date: 2024-2025


Audience: New and Beginning Farmers

Project or Activity: Farm Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Farm-Specific Practices

Inputs: Agents, Local Farms, UK, FFA, Master Gardeners

Date: Aug/Sept 2024-2025


Audience: County Farmers and Farmers Market Customers

Project or Activity: Farmers Market Producer Demonstrations

Content or Curriculum: Farmer-Experience

Inputs: Producers, Extension Facilities

Date: 2024-2025


Audience: Bee Ambassador Program

Project or Activity: Pollinator Basics, Honey Tasting

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Bee Ambassador Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H Agent 

Date: Spring during school enrichment


Audience: Commercial and Backyard Horticulturists

Project or Activity: Pesticide Applicator Training 

Content or Curriculum: KDA, Specialist, UK

Inputs: HORT, ANR, Specialists

Date: Ongoing


Audience: Aspiring Beekeepers

Project or Activity: Get Started in Beekeeping

Content or Curriculum: UK, KSU, KDA

Inputs: UK, KSU, KDA, Local Beekeepers

Date: 2024-2025


Audience: Aspiring Beekeepers

Project or Activity: Southeastern Kentucky Beekeeping School

Content or Curriculum: UK, KSU

Inputs: KDA, CES, FFA, Local Beekeepers

Date: 2024-2025


Audience: Whitley County Residents

Project or Activity: Earth Day

Content or Curriculum: Community Organizations, Publication, Art

Inputs: Community Arts Agent, Agents, community leaders, Whitley County Health department, NRCS, other local organizations and businesses, University of Kentucky forestry department, local restaurants

Date: April 22, 2020-2025


Audience: Youth and Master Gardeners

Project or Activity: Project WET

Content or Curriculum: Project WET Curriculum

Inputs: Horticulture, Fine Arts, Whitley County Fiscal Court

Date: 2023-2025, School Enrichment


Audience: Homeowners and landowners

Project or Activity: Earth Day Tree Giveaway

Content or Curriculum: Importance of trees, how to plant, and promoting extension

Inputs: Tree seedlings, Farmer's Market, All agents

Date: April 2020-2025


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: Ag in the Classroom 

Content or Curriculum: Acres of Adventures, Window Gardening

Inputs: 4-H, Teachers

Date: School Year, School Enrichment Programs


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: Livestock (Jr. Cattlemans Club) & Horse Club

Content or Curriculum: Livestock Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H, Livestock & Horse Leader

Date: Monthly Meetings August - May


Audience: Youth 

Project or Activity: Jr Master Gardeners Club

Content or Curriculum: Plant, Grow, Eat Curriculum

Inputs: 4-H, Master Gardener Leader

Date: Monthly Meeting August-May


Audience: Youth, Farmers, Whitley County Residents 

Project or Activity: Progressive Agriculture Safety Day

Content or Curriculum: Progressive Ag

Inputs: 4-H, ANR, Community Partners

Date: October


Audience: Farmers and people interested in improving their gardens, farms, and landscapes

Project or Activity: Garden and Farm Tours (Horticulture, Landscape, and Floriculture)

Content or Curriculum: Visit Whitley County and surrounding county farms

Inputs: Farmers and their farms, Gardeners and their gardens, Horticulture agent, transportation

Date: 2024-2025

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