Extension
It Starts With Us
Protecting Water and Natural Resources
Protecting Natural Resources
Kelly Woods, Agriculture/ Natural Resource Agent
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Agriculture
People, animals and plants are dependent on our Earth’s natural resources. Everything from the air we breathe, to the water we drink, to the soil we use for food production –these resources are vital to our existence. Therefore, it’s important that we care for and respect these resources. Understanding how our daily choices affect our environment, we can conserve natural resources and protect our environment for present and future generations. Results gathered in the 2019 Oldham County Assessment show that many residents are concerned about the amount of illegal dumping and littering. Results also show that residents feel the need for increased tree and forestry management.
Oldham County includes watersheds that are on the impaired list, most often due to sedimentation with some bacterial issues. The Oldham County Ag Development Council has targeted soil and water conservation education as being an important initiative in programming. 4-H school programs for 4th graders include water science and conservation topics that correspond to required school curriculum and learning.
Additionally, Oldham County Fiscal Court has a Watershed Coordinator on staff to educate the public. Oldham County Extension Agriculture Agent has partnered with the Watershed Coordinator in 2013 to educate residents in practices to protect water and watersheds. The Agriculture Agent also provides documentation of soil and water conservation-related programs for the public to help the county meet its MS4 Permit educational requirements.
An increased number of farms will use updated Agriculture water quality plans; an increased number of residents will use practices like soil testing. Youth will have a keen environmental awareness, realizing the long-term impact and are willing to make changes in their lives to address this concern.
Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
Oldham County homeowners will use best management practices such as soil testing, buffer areas and integrated pest management practices. Oldham County youth will share water conservation practices with families and will adopt changes to conserve water. Oldham County farms will update and/or create ag water quality plans and use these on their farms.
Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.
Homeowners and farmers learn best management practices to protect water sources. Youth discover the properties of water and the water cycle and how this relates to the environment.
Youth will gain understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship.
Initial Outcome: Youth will gain an understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship.
Indicator: Number of youth who participated and gained an understanding of environmental systems.
Method: Onsite surveys of participants
Timeline: TBD by classroom teachers based on curriculum needs
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect the environment in their home and community.
Indicator: Number of youth who used the skills and knowledge learned in 4-H to conserve natural resourcesMethod: Onsite Surveys of participants
Timeline: TBD by classroom teachers based on curriculum needs
Long-term Outcome: Youth will engage in community projects related to natural resource conservation.
Indicator: Youth plan and implement a natural resource project.Method: Number of youth who indicated “yes or usually” to the Common Measures Experience Survey Question #13 “Is 4-H a place where you have a chance to be a leader?”
Timeline: May/June 2024
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:
Audience: 4th Graders
Project or Activity: Native Bees
Curriculum: Bee Ambassadors, Nature Watch
Input: 4-H Staff, Nature Watch
Date: February/March 2024
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Woodworking Workshop
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Council, Extension Staff and Volunteers
Date: July 2023
Audience: 4-H Members 4th graders
Project or Activity: Animal Adaptions
Content or Curriculum: Project Wet and Project Food Land and People
Inputs: 4-H Staff, CES Funding, Oldham County Public Schools, Classroom Teachers
Date: Oct 2023- April 2024
Audience: 4-H Members 4th graders
Project or Activity: Mudballs (Soil and Erosion)
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Natural Resources Curriculum
Inputs: 4-H Staff, CES Funding, Oldham County Public Schools, Classroom Teachers
Date: Oct 2023- April 2024
Activity: Entomology
Audience: 5th grade students
Content or Curriculum: Hissing Cock Roaches
Inputs: 4-H Staff, University of Kentucky Entomology Department
Date: Oct 2023- April 2024
Activity: Soil Samples, Terrariums
Audiences: 5th grade 4-H Members
Content or Curriculum: Project, Food, Land and People
Inputs: 4-H Staff, Project Food, Land and People
Date: Oct 2023- April 2024
Activity: H2O Olympics
Audience: 5th Grade 4-H Members
Content or Curriculum: Project Wet
Inputs: 4-H Staff, OCPS
Date: Oct 2023 – April 2024
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Shooting Sports
Content or Curriculum: 4-H Shooting Sports Curricula
Inputs: 4-H Staff, Shooting Sports Volunteers, Open Range, Community Members, Donors
Date: April thru October
Audience: Farmers, Landowners
Project or Activity: Improving Soil Productivity - Regenerative Agriculture
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension materials
Inputs: Agriculture Agent, UK Extension Specialist
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: Farmers, Landowners
Project or Activity: Pond/Stream Management Field Day
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Extension materials
Inputs: UK/KSU Extension Specialists; Local partner agencies and vendors
Date: Spring/Summer 2024-2025
Audience: Community Education Program Participants
Project or Activity: Soils, Gardening Classes
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension Materials
Inputs: Agriculture Agent, Horticulture Assistant
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Residents
Project or Activity: Home Vegetable and Home Fruit Production Classes
Content or Curriculum: UK Extension materials
Inputs: Horticulture Assistant
Date: 2024-2025 program year
