Lee County CES

County Emphasis:

Sustainability Families and Farms

Concentration 1:

Plant Production and Management

Concentration 2:

Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Concentration 3:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 4:

Mental Health and Well-Being

Situation:

Optimizing plant, crop and forage production is paramount as Kentucky producers navigate the challenges of economics, climate variability, and evolving consumer demands. Key challenges and strategies to enhance sustainable practices across various agricultural domains include:  rising input costs (seeds, fertilizers, machinery), crop price fluctuations, knowledge of soil health, and water management to produce high yielding crops for long-term productivity.

Producers use data-driven approaches for efficient resource utilization while exploring new crop varieties for pest resistance and yield improvement. As technology advances, producers will need to adopt remote sensing technologies to monitor soil health, moisture, and other parameters to increase efficiency. Implementing conservation practices that protect soil and water resources will ensure the long-term sustainability of Kentucky farmland and improve resilience to climate variability.

Current and continuing practices involve cover crops to reduce erosion resulting in enhanced soil health as well as rotating crops to break pest cycles, improve soil fertility, and reduce disease pressure. Extension programming will encourage diverse crops and horticulture species to reduce risk and explore specialty crops, such as berries, herbs, and ornamental plants. Extension Specialists continue to educate farmers on forage species selection for hay production and livestock nutrition, advise on implementing integrated pest management and organic production practices (to minimize chemical inputs while still effectively managing pests), select climate-adapted crop varieties, and prepare for extreme weather events through adaptation and disaster readiness programs.

To meet the needs of producers, agents and specialists will continue to disseminate research-based information, offer workshops, field days, online resources, support local farmer’s markets, community gardens, community supported agriculture, and urban horticulture initiatives.

County Situation:

Lee County, Kentucky, faces unique challenges and opportunities in sustaining family farms and improving plant production and management. Lee County has a significant reliance on small-scale family farms, which are vital for the local economy and community resilience. The county's plant production is primarily focused on crops suited to its soil and climate conditions, with an emphasis on sustainable practices. Declining farm numbers and aging producers highlight the need for youth engagement and succession planning. Economic pressures, including fluctuating market prices and high input costs, impact profitability. Environmental concerns, such as soil erosion and water resource management, require targeted interventions. Educational programs aimed at introducing innovative farming techniques and technologies can enhance efficiency and sustainability.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Improved crop sustainability, increased farm profitability and reduced environmental impact using best disease management practices
• Improved quality of family life
• Increased access to mental health care and resources for all
• Reduced youth substance use
• Youth will be life and work ready, contributing to the agricultural community as consumers, leaders, and innovators.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Expansion of Extension programming by broadening the scope of extension services to include more comprehensive support for agronomic and horticultural crops and forages suited to Kentucky's changing climate and soil conditions.
• Enhanced community partnership that equitably support family health (e.g., FRISC, Health Depart., DAIL, AAA,)
• Increased advocacy for mental health and wellbeing resources
• Enhanced community partnerships that target youth prevention
• Youth will practice skills gained from 4-H agricultural projects and clubs.??

Initial Outcomes:

• Stakeholders are more aware of UK plant pathology research and resources 
• Increased intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g., reading to your child, spending time together, self-care, caregiver preparation, active living).
• Increased ability to recognize and respond to a mental health concern
• Increased confidence making decisions related to substance use (i.e. substance use refusal skills)
• Youth will develop a greater awareness and appreciation for the impact of agriculture in their daily life.??

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increased crop management knowledge and skills?

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who increased their knowledge of risk management tools. 
• Number of participants who increased their use of risk management tools. 
• Number of participants who reported increased knowledge of plant production and/or management practices.
• Number of participants who reported reducing their inputs or costs in their plant production
• Number of participants who reported increased efficiency in their plant production and/or management

Method: Attendance and program evaluations / surveys

Timeline: Ongoing?

Outcome: Short-Term

Indicator: 

• Number of youth who reported increased understanding of the impact (or role) of plant production in their daily lives.
• Number of youth who reported an increased interest in plant production and management. 
• Number of youth who reported that they understand plant production concepts and ideas.
• Number of youth who reported that they have identified at least one job/career in plant production and management that fits their interest

Method: Survey

Timeline: Administered immediately following program/activity

Outcome: Increased knowledge about substance use and its effects (initial)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increased knowledge of substance use prevention, addiction, and/or recovery (or related subject matter)

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Outcome: Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy communication, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together. (intermediate)

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported they enhanced healthy relationships.
• Number of participants who reported that they extended any type of support to another parent, grandparent, older adult, or relative raising a child.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Ongoing/as changes are made and projects progress

Outcome: Medium-Term

Indicator:

• Number of youth who reported that they have used the knowledge and skills gained in plant production to make informed decisions. 
• Number of youth who reported that they have used the knowledge and/or skills gained in plant production to complete a  project.
• Number of youth who reported that they have taken steps to pursue gaining more knowledge for a job in plant production based on their interests.

Method: Survey

Timeline: Administered at end of program year/club year

Outcome: Increased confidence making decisions related to substance use (i.e. substance use refusal skills) (Short-term, ST, and Intermediate, BC).

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported intended behavior change as a result of participation in substance use prevention and/or recovery programming.
• Number of participants who reported that they intend to use self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Long-term Outcome: Increased knowledge of self-care and other coping strategies 

Indicator: Number of participants who intend to adopt self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and well-being.

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation results

Timeline: Ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Specialty crop growers

Project or Activity: Programming for specialty crop production and management

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Fact Sheets, Workshops, Field Days, County Meetings, Regional Meetings, Field Visits, emails and phone calls

Inputs: Extension Specialists, Kentucky Horticulture Council, USDA funding, Dept of Labor funding, county agents, KDA, professional member organizations

Date: Fall 2025, On Going

 

Audience: Home owners and consumers

Project or Activity: Programming for home gardening and landscape management

Content or Curriculum: Publications, Fact Sheets, Workshops, County Meetings, Regional Meetings, emails and phone calls

Inputs: Extension Specialists, USDA funding, county agents, KDA, Kentucky Extension Master Gardener Program

Date: On Going

Audience: Families and Individuals 

Project or Activity: Kindergarten Readiness 

Content or Curriculum: Laugh and Learn Playdates, Understanding Disability, Information Releases, and Publications 

Inputs:  Programmatic materials, paid staff, community partners, volunteers, Head Start/daycare organizations, healthcare providers and local clinics, health department, non-profits, schools, Homemakers, community centers, etc. 

Date: Monthly

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Promoting Well-being

Content or Curriculum: Handling Farm Stress: A Workshop for New and Beginning Farmers, Mindfulness Trails, Yoga-ta Try This (KEHA lesson), Self-care programming, Mindfulness programming

Inputs: Programmatic materials, state specialist support, staff training, facilities, community partners (health coalitions, schools, local non-profits, etc.) UK Healthcare mental health resources, 988 community resources.

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Substance Use Prevention Programming

Content or Curriculum: Botvin Lifeskills, Strengthening Families, 4-H Health Rocks, Engaging People with Lived Experience (testimonies),

Inputs: Programmatic materials, paid staff, volunteers, community partners, health coalitions, schools and school staff

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Plant and Soil Science Projects?(e.g., fair displays and exhibit entries)

Content or Curriculum: National and State-Level Research-Based, Vetted Publications, Curricula, and Educational Resources (e.g., Junior Master Gardener, National 4-H Gardening Series, 4-H State Fair Exhibit Factsheets, Extension Publications)?

Inputs: 

• 4-H programs in agriculture in which youth experience a sense of belonging, developmental relationships, explore their spark, and are actively engaged in opportunities that are meaningful.???
• Accredited volunteers in agriculture.??
• Research base of the Cooperative Extension Land-grant system.??
• Funding opportunities from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc.??
• Funding from local, state, and federal sources, and grants.??
• Engagement of volunteers and youth in delivering the programs and leading clubs.??
• Engagement of communities in identifying and implementing programming based on meeting local needs.???
• External stakeholder engagement and support such as commodity groups and agriculturalist organizations.

Date: Ongoing

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increased crop management knowledge and skills?

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who increased their knowledge of risk management tools. 
• Number of participants who increased their use of risk management tools. 
• Number of participants who reported increased knowledge of plant production and/or management practices.
• Number of participants who reported reducing their inputs or costs in their plant production
• Number of participants who reported increased efficiency in their plant production and/or management

Method: Attendance and program evaluations / surveys

Timeline: Ongoing?

Outcome: Short-Term

Indicator: 

• Number of youth who reported increased understanding of the impact (or role) of plant production in their daily lives.
• Number of youth who reported an increased interest in plant production and management. 
• Number of youth who reported that they understand plant production concepts and ideas.
• Number of youth who reported that they have identified at least one job/career in plant production and management that fits their interest

Method: Survey

Timeline: Administered immediately following program/activity

Outcome: Increased knowledge about substance use and its effects (initial)

Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increased knowledge of substance use prevention, addiction, and/or recovery (or related subject matter)

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Outcome: Increased healthy relationships across generations that support healthy communication, nurturing behaviors, and quality time together. (intermediate)

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported they enhanced healthy relationships.
• Number of participants who reported that they extended any type of support to another parent, grandparent, older adult, or relative raising a child.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Ongoing/as changes are made and projects progress

Outcome: Medium-Term

Indicator:

• Number of youth who reported that they have used the knowledge and skills gained in plant production to make informed decisions. 
• Number of youth who reported that they have used the knowledge and/or skills gained in plant production to complete a  project.
• Number of youth who reported that they have taken steps to pursue gaining more knowledge for a job in plant production based on their interests.

Method: Survey

Timeline: Administered at end of program year/club year

Outcome: Increased confidence making decisions related to substance use (i.e. substance use refusal skills) (Short-term, ST, and Intermediate, BC).

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported intended behavior change as a result of participation in substance use prevention and/or recovery programming.
• Number of participants who reported that they intend to use self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration

Long-term Outcome: Increased knowledge of self-care and other coping strategies 

Indicator: Number of participants who intend to adopt self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and well-being.

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation results

Timeline: Ongoing