Scott County CES

County Emphasis:

Agriculture Management and Development

Concentration 1:

Animal Production and Management

Concentration 2:

Plant Production and Management

Concentration 3:

Sustainability, Natural Resources and Wildlife Management, and Environment

Situation:

To meet the needs of Kentucky animal producers CES Extension will create or expand its efforts to offer need-based education and producer-focused programming for all species. Current/future activities include introducing programs to address and improve specific management systems and introduce new and emerging techniques, technology, and production systems for increased efficiency and profitability. 

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. 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 varied 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. 

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. Educating youth about natural resources and environmental sciences is crucial for our future, as it empowers them to become proactive stewards of our planet. The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program aims to boost environmental literacy among youth, addressing a significant gap in environmental knowledge revealed by surveys from the Kentucky Environmental Education Council. America’s prosperity is inseparably linked to the health of our environment. A healthy environment is an essential component of the quality of life of humans and all living organisms (USDA, 2024). Optimistically, the National 4-H Council’s 2024 Index Survey found that 83% of youth enjoy science, 66% see it as a problem-solving tool, and 62% are interested in science-related careers. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension System’s 2023 assessment identified key priorities such as youth life skill training, workforce readiness, and promoting natural resource literacy. Through 4-H projects in natural resources and environmental sciences, young people develop life skills, learn responsibility, and gain knowledge about sustaining our natural resources through various projects and programs.

County Situation:

Agents met with County Extension Councils and program councils to determine the current needs of the agriculture landscape in Scott County. Council members determined the need for more sustainable agriculture programming, address the issues of urban sprawl in agriculture areas, and shed light on consumer needs and demands. Furthermore, after Kentucky Extension conducted a Community needs assessment;  "issues affecting crops" was indicated as a high priority need in Scott County. Work in this emphasis will help to address this community identified need. Learn more about the community identified needs of Scott County here: https://extension.ca.uky.edu/community-assessment. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Increase the use of sustainable management practices across all production methods and species.
• Strengthening local economies through improved farm sustainability and profitability, which are economic multipliers in local communities. Helping farm families successfully transition to subsequent generations. Helping new and beginning farmers enter farming operations. Helping to maintain or increase domestic markets and increase export markets for grain crops and tobacco by improving quality of commodities compared to that of foreign competitors.  
• Economic, social, physical, or environmental situations that will change because individuals or communities adopted new (or improved existing) actions, practices, and behaviors (these also take time to mature)). 
• Youth will be life and work ready, contributing to the natural resources 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.
• 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.
• New or improved practices, behaviors, or choices that will occur in participants or communities because of the knowledge or awareness they gained from their contact with Extension (these are behavior change outcomes that are typically measured in follow-up evaluations because they require time to mature.) 
• Youth will aspire to explore careers in natural resources and environmental sciences.

Initial Outcomes:

• Increase intentions to employ financially sound behavior regarding production methods, use of financial tools, health-focused care, and the human-animal interaction.
• Increase adoption of data-driven practices through immediate trainings, workshops, and field visits to educate producers on the latest data-driven agricultural technologies, focusing on efficient resource utilization, pest resistance, sustainability, and yield improvements. 
• Increase knowledge and skills of individuals in both urban and rural settings to address immediate wildlife-related challenges and enhance biodiversity.  
• Youth will expand life and work readiness skills, gaining awareness of the diverse opportunities within the field of natural resources.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Short

Indicator: 

• Number of youth who reported that they have identified their interest in natural resources.
• Number of youth who reported that they understand how their actions and choices impact natural resources and the environment.
• Number of youth who reported that they understand natural resources concepts and ideas. 
• Number of youth who reported that have set goals to become a good steward of natural resources.

Method: Survey 

Timeline: Administered immediately following program/activity 

Intermediate Outcome: Improving forage and livestock management

Indicator: Number of participants that indicate high likelihood of implementation of improved forage and livestock management practices.

Method: Schools, workshops, conferences, and field days.  Information from these events will also be pushed out through KY Forages YouTube Channel and Master Grazer Facebook page.

Timeline: Programs are provided one or more times annually at multiple locations throughout Kentucky

Long-Term 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 

Learning Opportunities:

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: 2025-2026

Audience: Agricultural producers and the public

Project or Activity: Pest and disease identification

Content or Curriculum: Clinical diagnoses and trainings

Inputs: PSS extension specialists assistance to diagnostic labs diagnostic services

Date: Frequently throughout the year

Audience: 4-H Members 

Project or Activity: 4-H Natural Resources Projects?(e.g., insect collections, leaf collections, leaf print collections, wood science projects, rock, mineral, and/or fossil collections)

Content or Curriculum: Entomology, Forestry, Wood Science, Geology; Curriculum - National and State-Level Research-Based, Vetted Publications, Curricula, and Educational Resources

Inputs: 

• 4-H programs in natural resources in which youth experience a sense of belonging, developmental relationships, explore their spark, and are actively engaged in opportunities that are meaningful to them.
• Accredited volunteers in natural resources.
• 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 staff, volunteers and youth in delivering the program. 

Dates: 4-H Program Year (September 1 – August 31) 2025-2026

Evaluation:

Outcome: Short

Indicator: 

• Number of youth who reported that they have identified their interest in natural resources.
• Number of youth who reported that they understand how their actions and choices impact natural resources and the environment.
• Number of youth who reported that they understand natural resources concepts and ideas. 
• Number of youth who reported that have set goals to become a good steward of natural resources.

Method: Survey 

Timeline: Administered immediately following program/activity 

Intermediate Outcome: Improving forage and livestock management

Indicator: Number of participants that indicate high likelihood of implementation of improved forage and livestock management practices.

Method: Schools, workshops, conferences, and field days.  Information from these events will also be pushed out through KY Forages YouTube Channel and Master Grazer Facebook page.

Timeline: Programs are provided one or more times annually at multiple locations throughout Kentucky

Long-Term 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