Extension
It Starts With Us
Agriculture and Natural Resource Awareness and Practices
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sigmon, Whitson, Williams, Adkins, O'Bryan
Beef
Farm Management
Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
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. Established and new agriculture producers are looking for ways to increase farm income in order to help 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 assist our local extension agents to provide producers with the tools necessary to be profitable and sustainable. Due to the loss of traditional farming practices there has been a decline in the involvement of youth in agriculture. While Kentucky’s population is increasing, the number of people living on farms is decreasing. Therefore, the need exists to educate people, including youth, about the importance of agriculture and its impact on their daily life, the local economy and environment. Negative publicity surrounding agriculture and agricultural practices is common place in today’s media fueling controversy and misconceptions. Producers need to be educated on positive strategies to deal with such negative publicity.
• Producers will increase profits by utilizing best management practices on their farms while maintaining sound environmental practices.
• Decrease the adverse effects of agricultural and homeowner pesticide usage on natural resources.
• Increase agricultural literacy levels among the general public and youth.
• Beef and forage producers will improve efficiency through better forage utilization and management.
• Producers begin to practice good farming operations management and build upon general farming skills.
• Youth will engage in entrepreneurial enterprise.
• Youth will gain and maintain employment resulting from life skill development through 4-H.
• Youth will be advocates for agriculture and healthy and sustainable food systems.
• Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant
• sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
• Youth can communicate the importance of agriculture in Laurel County and understand the impact of agriculture on the economy, environment and society.
• Youth will consider careers in Agriculture, through the exposure to different Agricultural career options, increasing the number of youth in Agribusinesses.
• Producers will become agricultural advocates who address negative agricultural media and groups using logical research based information.
• Beef producers will increase profit by shortening the calving season, better recordkeeping and more uniform calves marketed.
• Producers will have a better understanding of Agricultural practices, there effects on natural resources.
• Producers will implement best management practices by increased use of soil testing.
• Youth will practice and apply skills and knowledge in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
• Youth will adopt and practice skills that contribute to agriculture career employability.
• Youth can explain the role of agriculture in daily life to others.
• Youth will set a goal and accomplish it.
• Youth can influence the purchase of Kentucky Proud products.
• Youth can practice entrepreneurship skills related to agriculture and food systems
• Producers will apply best management practices to reduce improper use and excessive use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.
• Producers will implement practices that conserve natural resources.
• Producers will learn best management practices as they pertain to protecting natural resources.
• Producers will learn techniques to increase profitability using better management practices.
• Producers will develop more knowledge of marketing opportunities.
• Youth will realize the importance of agriculture in our community and world. Youth will see how local agriculture contributes to their overall well-being. Youth will have an appreciation of how their food is produced.
• Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of plant sciences, horticulture and animal sciences.
• An increased number of 4-H youth will gain knowledge and skills in farming practices, livestock production, animal husbandry, and general agricultural practices.
• Youth will gain a better understanding of agriculture, production practices, job opportunities and the role of agriculture in the global economy.
Initial Outcome: Participants will gain knowledge regarding, management practices, natural resource conservation, agricultural literacy, techniques to increase profitability, and agricultural opportunities
Indicator: increased scores on post tests, surveys
Method: Formative evaluations, surveys, pre post tests, and participant interviews
Timeline: Following activities
Intermediate Outcome: Participants adopt implementing best management practices that conserve natural resources and increase profitability while reducing improper and excessive use of chemicals. Youth adopt and practice skills related to agricultural careers and entrepreneurship skills. Youth can explain role of agriculture in every day life
Indicator: increased use of soil test, insect and disease ID. producers increase the use of best management practices. Increased youth participation in programs related to agriculture and natural resources.
Method: Summative evaluations, surveys, questioners, personal interviews
Timeline: 6 months to 1 year
Long-term Outcome: Producers will increase profits by utilizing best management practices on their farms while maintaining sound environmental practices.
Decrease the adverse effects of agricultural and homeowner pesticide usage on natural resources. Increase agricultural literacy levels among the general public and youth.
Indicator: Census data, increased agricultural enterprises, increased younger participants in programs and leadership roles, increased agricultural producers in community leadership roles.
Method: personal interviews, statistics, delayed summative evaluations
Timeline: 2-5 years
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-July
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, fair grounds, 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: Feed A Bee Program
Content or curriculum: Feedabee.com, growingproduce.com
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, volunteers,
Date: April-May
Audience: Youth
Activity: 4-H Horse Club
Content or curriculum: 4-H Horse program curriculum
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, volunteers,
Date: Monthly: September - July
Audience: Youth
Activity: 4-H Eco Edventures Day Camp
Content or Curriculum: Project Wet, Project Wild, Science curriculum
Inputs: Extension Agents, Staff, volunteers
Date: yearly: August & September
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, March-October
Audience: Adults
Activity: Gardeners Toolbox Workshop Series
Content or curriculum: UK publications and specialists
Inputs: Extension Agents, staff, Extension Office, community garden, Extension specialists,
Date: monthly
Audience: Youth
Activity: Preschool Children's Community Garden
Content or curriculum: UK publications
Inputs: community garden, Son light preschool and daycare, Master Gardener Volunteers, 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: General Public
Activity: Kiwanis Farm City Tour
Content or curriculum: local resources
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, Volunteers, local farm owners, farm industry, Kiwanis,
Date: Spring
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 101
Contend or curriculum: UK publications, resources
Inputs: community garden, extension agents and staff, Specialists, Master Gardeners, Farm owners,
Date: April- August
Audience: Public
Activity: Local Foods Catalog
Content or Curriculum: Farmers Market and Master Gardeners
Input: Extension Agents and staff, Volunteers,
Date: Fall and Spring (yearly)
Audience:Youth
Activity: Youth Farm Field Days
Content or curriculum: UK publications, resources
Inputs: Extension agents and staff, Volunteers, farm owners, school systems
Date: spring, summer, fall
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: Good Agricultural Practices
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: Adults Youth
Activity: Urban Forestry
Content or curriculum: UK publications and specialists
Inputs: city of London, London tree Board, Extension Agents and staff, school system, Farmers Market
Date: February-March
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: Farmers homeowners
Activity: Rinse and Return Program
Content and curriculum KDA and UK publications
Inputs: Extension agents and staff, KDA
Date: September
Audience: Youth adults
Activity: Beginning Beekeeping School
Content and curriculum: KSU and UK publications
Inputs: Extension Agents and staff, KSU small farm agent, Extension office
Date: Fall and Winter
Audience: Farmers
Activity: Hemp production and establishment of receiving station
Content and curriculum: UK publications and research
Inputs: Extension Agents, GOAP, Altoa, Extension office
Date: Spring and Summer
Audience: Woodland Owners
Activity: East Ky Woodland Owners Shortcourse
Content and curriculum: UK publications, KY Foresty Dept., KY Fish and Wildlife, NRCS
Inputs: Extension Agents, KY Foresters, KY Fish and Wildlife Officers, NRCS Conservationists
Date: August
Author: William Adkins
Major Program: Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum
Statement findings from the 2011 PRIDE (Personal Responsibility in a Desirable Environment) campaign indicated that many students in Laurel County were unaware of the effects of pollution on the environment, environmental resources, and the stewardship of those resources. When surveyed, local teachers, school officials, the Laurel County 4-H council and the Laurel County Extension Council, also identified environmental education as a valuable "need" for local youth. As a result of this
Author: Victor Williams
Major Program: Beef
~~As the local agricultural focus continues to diversify from tobacco to other areas, beef cattle has become the main livestock production choice for Laurel County farmers. To help local beef producers increase profits, the Laurel County Cooperative Extension Office collaborated with the Laurel County Cattlemen’s Association to present a series of educational workshops and demonstrations geared toward improving production practices. Educational topics featured: beef futur
Author: William Adkins
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
From 2007 to 2012 the numbers of farmers in the U.S. decreased by 4.3%. The average age of a farm principal operator has increased by 8 years over the last thirty years and there was also a 23.3% decline in operators that had been on the farm for less than five years. This shows a decrease in the number of new farmers and especially young farmers.(USDA Census of Agriculture) Kentucky has also had the challenge of finding alternatives to the mass exodus of tobacco production over the
Author: Bonnie Sigmon
Major Program: Woodland Education
Laurel County Extension Office hosted the 2017 Woodland Owners Short Course on Saturday August 12th. The WOSC is the largest woodland owner educational program offered in Kentucky and is supported by more than 10 forestry and natural resource agencies and organizations. The WOSC program is targeted at Kentucky’s private woodland owners and is designed to assist private woodland owners in the management of their woodlands. The program included classroom and field p
Author: Victor Williams
Major Program: Woodland Education
Laurel County Extension Office hosted the 2017 Woodland Owners Short Course on Saturday August 12th. The WOSC is the largest woodland owner educational program offered in Kentucky and is supported by more than 10 forestry and natural resource agencies and organizations. The WOSC program is targeted at Kentucky’s private woodland owners and is designed to assist private woodland owners in the management of their woodlands. The program included classroom and field programming for new and ine
Author: Victor Williams
Major Program: Farm Management
In 2018, the Laurel County Cattlemen’s Association was provided $150,000 by the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund to administer the CAIP (County Agricultural Investment Program) cost-share program for Laurel County producers. Individuals who were approved for grant funding were required to participate in continuing education programs to assist with their agricultural diversification projects. To accommodate this educational component, I have conducted several programs this year to pro
Author: Victor Williams
Major Program: Beef
The annual Laurel County Cattlemen’s Heifer sale has been conducted each spring for the last six years at the Massey Limousin Farms private sale facility. In preparation for the sale, the Cattlemen would spend several days cleaning and retrofitting the facility to accommodate approximately 100 heifers raised by up to 16 producers. After the sale, the Cattlemen would spend several more days cleaning the facility and repairing damage done by crowded and stressed animals. Wet w
Author: Bonnie Sigmon
Major Program: Bees/Beekeeping
The decline of pollinators and domestic honey bees due several environmental, health and pesticide misuse has reached critical level. As news programs and social media reports continue to draw public attention to the crisis, the demand for extension programs about the topic have also increased. I have worked very closely with entomology experts and our local beekeepers association to address these issues at the Laurel County Extension Office. The Southeast Kentucky Beekeepers Associat
