Sustainable Agricultural and Natural Resource Practices Plan of Work
Anderson County CES
County Emphasis:
Sustainable Agricultural and Natural Resource Practices
Concentration 1:
Animal Production and Management
Concentration 2:
Plant Production and Management
Concentration 3:
Small Farm Development
Concentration 4:
Sustainability, Natural Resources and Wildlife Management, and Environment
Situation:
- Kentucky’s animal production and management strategies encompass sustainable practices, health-focused care, and economic viability across all species thus contributing significantly to the state’s agricultural landscape. Beef cattle play a crucial role in converting Kentucky’s vast 7 million acres of pasture and forage into valuable products. CES focuses on sustainable grazing practices and ensuring optimal use of natural resources like land and water.
- 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.
- Ensuring the sustainability of Kentucky woodlands and natural resources, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, faces many challenges. Many landowners struggle to implement sustainable practices due to economic pressures, lack of access to technology, and workforce. The situation is exacerbated by development and the increasing demand for food, which often leads to the overuse of land and water resources, contributing to soil degradation, deforestation, and water scarcity.
- Kentucky Cooperative Extension will continue to aid small farm owners by providing educational opportunities and increasing awareness of resources offered through various programs and online platforms. This includes developing new and improved practices to reduce production costs, protect and improve soil and water resources, and offer options for specialty crop production. Extension personnel will also promote whole farm plans, estate planning, farm transitions, risk management, and market opportunities.
County Situation:
Anderson County has a great agrarian history and culture that informs and affects the day-to-day and long-term decisions at both individual and county levels. It is paramount for the progress and preservation of this community, its people, and their culture, that agriculture itself, and the media and canvas that bring it to life here be sustained and protected.
Long-Term Outcomes:
- Increase the use of sustainable management practices across all production methods leading to enhanced production efficiency and reductions in the carbon footprint.
- Increase the use of sustainable management practices across all production methods and species.?
- Producers are routinely implementing guidelines and recommendations for efficient and financially sound production demonstrating sustainable behavior change.?
- Improve the quality of life of animals and humans.
- Increase the quality of beef cattle produced annually contributing to increased and more stable financial position of cattle operations.
- Increase the use of sustainable management practices across all production methods leading to enhanced production efficiency and reductions in the carbon footprint.
- Producers are routinely following Beef Quality Care & Assurance standards to produce healthy and high-quality beef.
- Increase the use of sustainable management practices across all production methods leading to enhanced production efficiency and reductions in the carbon footprint.
- Producers are routinely following Beef Quality Care & Assurance standards to produce healthy and high-quality beef.
- Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.???
- Youth will advocate for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production in their communities.??
Youth will be life and work ready, contributing to the agricultural community as consumers, leaders, and innovators.??
Intermediate Outcomes:
- Annually implement strategies and production methods that result in increased efficiency, and number of animals produced /maintained, and animals harvested or pounds of milk produced.?
- Increased biosecurity strategies that promote both animal and human health related behaviors for a safe food system.?
- Increase or strengthen partnerships or relationships with commodity groups to address sustainable management strategies, health-focused care, and economic viability for all livestock.?
- Youth will practice skills gained from 4-H agricultural projects and clubs.??
- Youth will communicate agricultural ideas and concepts more effectively.??
- Youth actively adopt and apply advanced agricultural practices, demonstrating a growing commitment to the agricultural community.??
Initial Outcomes:
- Increase knowledge about sustainable and economically viable management practices.?
- Increase skills related to efficient production methods across all species.?
- Increase confidence in implementing new and emerging techniques, technology, and production systems.?
- Increase confidence in making decisions related to promoting animal health-related behavior.?
- Increase intentions to employ financially sound behavior regarding production methods, use of financial tools, health-focused care, and the human-animal interaction.?
- Youth will develop a greater awareness and appreciation for the impact of agriculture in their daily life.??
- Youth will expand life and work readiness skills in agriculture, gaining awareness of the diverse opportunities within the field of agriculture.
Evaluation:
Outcome: Gained knowledge and/or participated in direct marketing of lamb.
Indicator:
- Number of individuals that increased their knowldege of direct marketing of small ruminants.
- Number of individuals who reported selling lamb directly to consumer/retailer.
Method: Survey or records from individual consultations
Timeline:
Outcome: Individuals gain financial management skills for small ruminant operations
Indicator: Number of individuals that participated in small ruminant financial management programs.
Method: Survey or records from individual consultations
Timeline:
Outcome: Increased knowledge and/or awareness of management practices to improve sheep production efficiency
Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increase in knowledge and/or awareness of best practices for managing/raising small ruminants.
Method: Survey
Timeline: Immediately after program participation.
Outcome: Implementation or utilization of knowledge gained to make changes in management of small ruminant operation.
Indicator: Number of participants that have made changes to improve management of their small ruminant operation.
Method: Survey (post program)
Timeline: Follow-up survey or records from individual consultations
Outcome: Increased awareness of beef cattle quality assurance and care practices
Indicator: Number of participants who obtained BQCA certifications
Method: Post-program test
Timeline: After program participation or online
Outcome: Increased knowledge and/or awareness of management practices to improve cattle production efficiency
Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increase in their knowledge and/or awareness of management practices for improving cattle production efficiency.
Method: Survey
Timeline: At the program
Outcome: Implementation or utilization of knowledge gained to make changes in management of beef operation.
Indicator: Number of participants who reported making a change to improve their beef cattle management practices.
Method: Survey (post program) or records from individual consultations
Timeline: 6-12 months after program
Equine
Outcome: Increased Horse Management Knowledge
Indicator:
- Number of horse owners using Body Condition scoring to manage their horses.
- Number of horse owners changing practices to reduce feed waste.
- Number of horse owners using hay selection and use based on forage testing evaluation
Method: Evaluation results and/or records from individual consultations
Timeline: ongoing
Outcome: Increased understanding of the horse industry
Indicator:
- Number of agent-led horse programing to their county programs.
- Number of agents supporting Pastures Please and Farm and Facility Expo in their area.
Method: Evaluation results and/or records from individual consultations
Timeline: ongoing
Outcome: Understanding of equine farm and facility sustainable management
Indicator:
- Number of participants implementing mud management practices.
- Number of participants using temporary fences for grazing systems for horses.
Method: Evaluation results and records from individual consultations
Timeline: Ongoing
Outcome: Greater understanding of reporting invasive species to appropriate agencies
Indicator:
- Number of people self-reporting knowledge gain on how to properly report a sighting of an invasive insect, arachnid, or mollusk
- Number of people reporting behavioral changes in reporting and in support of invasive species monitoring methods
Method: In person survey and year later survey
Timeline: In person surveys at Extension event and digital surveys distributed one year later
Outcome: Increased awareness of and use of safe/effective pesticide application methods
Indicator:
- Number of certified applicators attending continuing education credit Extension events (both private and commercial)
- Number of people self-reporting knowledge gain on integrated pest management techniques
- Number of people self-reporting behavioral changes regarding risk mitigation strategies for pesticide application
Method: Surveys at CEU events
Timeline:
Outcome: Increased awareness of wildlife, forestry, and natural resources issues
Indicator:
- Number of participants who reported that they gained knowledge of wildlife.
- Number of participants who reported they gained their awareness of forestry.
- Number of participants who reported they gained their awareness of natural resources.
Method: Survey (Self-Assessment of Learning Gains)
Timeline: At program
Outcome: Increased management to address resources concerns
Indicator:
- Number of participants who reported that they developed new management plans.
- Number of participants who reported an increase in the acres managed.
- Number of participants (or state agencies) who reported that they implemented wildlife damage management practices
Method: Follow-up Survey (Survey previous participants) and tracking number of management plans implemented by state agencies
Timeline: Annually
Learning Opportunities:
Audience: Sheep Producers, Industry Representatives, Agents
Project or Activity: Lambing school, grazing school
Content or Curriculum: Course presentations & materials
Inputs: UK sheep facilities, AFS Personnel and Specialists
Dates: TBD
Audience: Sheep Producers, Agents
Project or Activity: Small Ruminant Profit School
Content or Curriculum: Presentation materials
Inputs: KY Sheep & Goat Development Office
Dates: On-line
Audience: Agents
Project or Activity: In-service updates / trainings
Content or Curriculum: Online series, in-person trainings developed as needed
Inputs: Coordination by IRM coordinators and Specialists
Dates
Audience: Beef Cattle Owners, Industry representatives, Agents
Project or Activity: BQCA trainings
Content or Curriculum: State BQCA videos and chute-side trainings
Inputs:
Dates:
Audience: Beef Cattle Owners, Industry representatives, Agents
Project or Activity: Backgrounding Short Course
Content or Curriculum: Backgrounding short course presentations & materials
Inputs: UK beef facilities, Beef IRM coordinators and specialists, Industry sponsorships and External grant funds
Dates: Every other year with date TBD
Audience: Beef Cattle Owners, Industry representatives, Agents
Project or Activity: Master Cattleman
Content or Curriculum: Master Cattleman curriculum
Inputs: Coordination with Beef IRM coordinators & specialists
Dates: TBD
Audience: Beef Cattle Owners, Industry representatives, Agents
Project or Activity: Beef Bash
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs:
Dates:
Audience: Beef Cattle Owners, Industry representatives, Agents
Project or Activity: Artificial Insemination School
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs: UK beef facilities, local facilities and cattle, coordination with Beef IRM coordinator and Dr. Anderson
Dates:
Audience: Beef Cattle Owners, Industry representatives, Agents
Project or Activity: New Farmer Program
Content or Curriculum:
Inputs:
Dates:
Audience: General public, adult
Project or Activity: Master Naturalist Program
Content or Curriculum: Master Naturalist Curriculum, range of speakers representing different topics and important agencies.
Inputs: Developed in partnership with Ellen Crocker and Laurie Thomas.
Dates:
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: IPM and Pesticide Programs
Content or Curriculum: Educational materials and program delivery
Inputs: UK and subject matter Specialists
Dates:
Audience: General public
Project or Activity: Pest and disease identification
Content or Curriculum: Clinical diagnoses and trainings
Inputs: Diagnostic labs and services
Dates:
Audience: Anderson County Youth 9-18 years old
Project or Activity: Livestock Club
Content or Curriculum: KY Livestock Curriculum
Inputs: Livestock Club leaders, Extension Specialist
Dates: September-Agust
Audience: Anderson County Youth 9-18 years old
Project or Activity: Country Ham Curing
Content or Curriculum: KY Livestock Curriculum
Inputs: Livestock leaders, Extension Specialist, Extension Agents
Dates: January-August
Audience: Anderson County 4th Grade Students
Project or Activity: Environmental Camp
Content or Curriculum: EEC
Inputs: Anderson County Schools, Extension Agents, KY 4-H EEC
Dates: Fall
Audience: Anderson County Grade Students
Project or Activity: School Enrichment
Content or Curriculum: Adventures in AG, Natural Resources
Inputs: Anderson County Schools, Extension Agents,
Dates: October-May
Evaluation:
Outcome: Gained knowledge and/or participated in direct marketing of lamb.
Indicator:
- Number of individuals that increased their knowldege of direct marketing of small ruminants.
- Number of individuals who reported selling lamb directly to consumer/retailer.
Method: Survey or records from individual consultations
Timeline:
Outcome: Individuals gain financial management skills for small ruminant operations
Indicator: Number of individuals that participated in small ruminant financial management programs.
Method: Survey or records from individual consultations
Timeline:
Outcome: Increased knowledge and/or awareness of management practices to improve sheep production efficiency
Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increase in knowledge and/or awareness of best practices for managing/raising small ruminants.
Method: Survey
Timeline: Immediately after program participation.
Outcome: Implementation or utilization of knowledge gained to make changes in management of small ruminant operation.
Indicator: Number of participants that have made changes to improve management of their small ruminant operation.
Method: Survey (post program)
Timeline: Follow-up survey or records from individual consultations
Outcome: Increased awareness of beef cattle quality assurance and care practices
Indicator: Number of participants who obtained BQCA certifications
Method: Post-program test
Timeline: After program participation or online
Outcome: Increased knowledge and/or awareness of management practices to improve cattle production efficiency
Indicator: Number of participants who reported an increase in their knowledge and/or awareness of management practices for improving cattle production efficiency.
Method: Survey
Timeline: At the program
Outcome: Implementation or utilization of knowledge gained to make changes in management of beef operation.
Indicator: Number of participants who reported making a change to improve their beef cattle management practices.
Method: Survey (post program) or records from individual consultations
Timeline: 6-12 months after program
Equine
Outcome: Increased Horse Management Knowledge
Indicator:
- Number of horse owners using Body Condition scoring to manage their horses.
- Number of horse owners changing practices to reduce feed waste.
- Number of horse owners using hay selection and use based on forage testing evaluation
Method: Evaluation results and/or records from individual consultations
Timeline: ongoing
Outcome: Increased understanding of the horse industry
Indicator:
- Number of agent-led horse programing to their county programs.
- Number of agents supporting Pastures Please and Farm and Facility Expo in their area.
Method: Evaluation results and/or records from individual consultations
Timeline: ongoing
Outcome: Understanding of equine farm and facility sustainable management
Indicator:
- Number of participants implementing mud management practices.
- Number of participants using temporary fences for grazing systems for horses.
Method: Evaluation results and records from individual consultations
Timeline: Ongoing
Outcome: Greater understanding of reporting invasive species to appropriate agencies
Indicator:
- Number of people self-reporting knowledge gain on how to properly report a sighting of an invasive insect, arachnid, or mollusk
- Number of people reporting behavioral changes in reporting and in support of invasive species monitoring methods
Method: In person survey and year later survey
Timeline: In person surveys at Extension event and digital surveys distributed one year later
Outcome: Increased awareness of and use of safe/effective pesticide application methods
Indicator:
- Number of certified applicators attending continuing education credit Extension events (both private and commercial)
- Number of people self-reporting knowledge gain on integrated pest management techniques
- Number of people self-reporting behavioral changes regarding risk mitigation strategies for pesticide application
Method: Surveys at CEU events
Timeline:
Outcome: Increased awareness of wildlife, forestry, and natural resources issues
Indicator:
- Number of participants who reported that they gained knowledge of wildlife.
- Number of participants who reported they gained their awareness of forestry.
- Number of participants who reported they gained their awareness of natural resources.
Method: Survey (Self-Assessment of Learning Gains)
Timeline: At program
Outcome: Increased management to address resources concerns
Indicator:
- Number of participants who reported that they developed new management plans.
- Number of participants who reported an increase in the acres managed.
- Number of participants (or state agencies) who reported that they implemented wildlife damage management practices
Method: Follow-up Survey (Survey previous participants) and tracking number of management plans implemented by state agencies
Timeline: Annually
- Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
- S107 Ag. Science Center North
- Lexington, KY 40546-0091
- +1 (859) 257-4302
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