Success Stories - Kentucky Extension Reporting System

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Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Cooperative Extension Service

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Impacts

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Fiscal Year: 2025

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2025

Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

4-H Livestock Club Members Gained Valuable Skills and a Love for Agriculture

Author: Lee Ann McCuiston

Major Program: Agriculture

Describe the Issue or Situation.In 2024, the 4-H Livestock club grew from one member to ten under the leadership of a newly recruited 4-H livestock club leader. In addition, the Extension Office built a brand new livestock/horse arena beside the new office.  When these two items merged, a connection to agriculture happened for 10 Todd County youth and their families. The Extension Office also experienced a surge in interest and clientele base due to the building of the new arena. Descr

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Sowing Knowledge: 4-H and FFA Collaborate to Teach First Graders About Farming Roles

Author: Molly Jordan

Major Program: Agriculture

Sowing Knowledge: 4-H and FFA Collaborate to Teach First Graders About Farming Roles

Through a collaborative effort, the local 4-H agent partnered with FFA students to teach first graders about the diverse roles of farmers in agriculture. Using an interactive lesson titled "How Many Hats Does a Farmer Wear?", FFA members engaged young learners in hands-on activities that showcased the many skills farmers need, including veterinarian, mechanic, scientist, and businessperson.This partnership not only increased agricultural literacy among first graders but also empowered

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New to the Herd? Check out Madison County 4-H's Livestock Programming

Author: Julia Reid

Major Program: Agriculture

Madison County 4-H has a bustling agriculture industry, despite a very heavy urban influence in the county. In Madison County 4-H, we like to think of our urban, suburban, rural and farm diversity more as an opportunity than a problem. With our two colleges, Eastern Kentucky University and Berea College both having farms, that just makes 4-H Livestock Field Trips easier to organize! When we started revitalizing our Livestock Club at the end of 2020, we had about 3 consistent members and we

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Animal Science

Author: Sue Ann McCandless

Major Program: Agriculture

In Hardin County 4th and 5th grade classrooms, more than 360 students were exposed to agriculture and animal science curriculum through cow eyeball dissection. Students had previously studied the human eye in their regular coursework in science and the cow eye is very similar to the human eye allowing them to get an extensive look at the parts of the eye and the specific functions of each structure. The 4-H agent and teachers worked collaboratively to make sure all students were able to com

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4-H Horticulture Club

Author: Jessica Hopkins

Major Program: Agriculture

The Harrison County 4-H program is very active and provides opportunities for youth to learn about many different aspects of agriculture and family and consumer sciences.  At the beginning of 2017 there were 184 student enrolled in 4-H and approximately 140 were active in 4-H special interest groups in the county.  Seeing that there were many programs offered but none of them were directed toward horticulture, the Harrison County Horticulture Agent saw a need for a 4-H Horticulture Clu

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Agriculture in the Classroom Lessons Expand Learning in 3rd Graders

Author: Whitney Carman

Major Program: Agriculture

The Kentucky Agricultural Literacy Program has made a significant impact on students in Grayson County, providing hands-on learning experiences that connect them to the world of agriculture. Over the last 5 years, the Grayson County 4-H Youth Development and Agriculture and Natural Resources agents have worked with 3rd grade students at Caneyville and Lawler Elementary engaging monthly lessons that help bring awareness to agriculture and where food comes from.Each month, the students were introd

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4-H Safety Day Camp

Author: Paula Tarry

Major Program: Agriculture

The mission of Progressive Agriculture Safety Day is to “provide education, training and resources to make farm, ranch, and rural life safer for children and their communities.”  The Barren County 4-H Progressive Agriculture Safety Day provided five hundred fourth grade students with the practical hands on knowledge to think safety first in a variety of situations including: Water/Wildlife, Lawn mowing, Vaping/Drug, Bus, Fire, First Aid, Shooting Sports, Food and Nutrition, Pers

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Youth Ag Days

Author: Heather Coleman

Major Program: Agriculture

Floyd County Extension hosted our first ever Youth Ag Days. 170 students in third and fourth grade attend.   During their day the students rotated through three different lessons.  During the Honeybee lesson led by the 4-H Agent, Beekeeper Association President Mike Hackworth and member Chris West, youth learned the importance of honeybees and why they are important to our food system and how to become a beekeeper. They were able to try four types of honey.  During their second se

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"HAM"tastic Day

Author: David Gabbard

Major Program: Agriculture

"HAM"tastic Day

Snowy January days, early morning drives to pick up green hams have become a tradition for the Lincoln County 4-H Agent. On January 20, 2025 the 4-H Country Ham Project began. We had 9 4-H youth, 5 clover buds, and 10 adults who joined us in learning how to cure a country ham. This project is planned by Dr. Rentfrow (Meat Science Professor University of KY) and a committee made up of numerous 4-H Agents from across the state, Oxbow Meats, and Clifty farms. Lincoln County put 42 hams into cure on

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Union County Country Ham Project

Author: Annette Buckman

Major Program: Agriculture

Union County Country Ham Project

Country Ham is a longstanding tradition deeply rooted in Kentucky’s history. This program provides youth with the opportunity to learn about livestock education while gaining hands-on experience curing two country hams.In 2024, the Union County 4-H Country Ham Project had 10 youth participants. Through a partnership with Webster and Henderson Counties, the program reaches even more youth across Kentucky. It was reintroduced to Union County in 2021, thanks to the dedication and support of R

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Building the Foundation: Pendleton County's Cloverbud Livestock Judging Program

Author: Lydia Gosney

Major Program: Agriculture

Building the Foundation: Pendleton County's Cloverbud Livestock Judging Program

Describe the Issue or Situation.Pendleton County 4-H identified a need to strengthen its livestock judging program and develop a pipeline of skilled and confident participants from an early age. Historically, older youth involved in livestock judging faced challenges due to limited foundational experience in the intricacies of animal husbandry, decision-making, and public speaking. Additionally, the absence of structured opportunities for younger members to engage with livestock judging in a mea

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Community Garden Club

Author: MacKenzie Preece

Major Program: Agriculture

School Gardens Cultivate Growth in Franklin County ClassroomsAcross the nation, school gardening programs are sprouting up at an unprecedented pace. According to the USDA Farm to School Census, these programs are becoming a staple in education, fostering a range of benefits for students. Research highlights that engaging youth in gardening not only encourages healthier eating habits but also improves mental and physical health, fosters awareness of agricultural and horticultural careers, strengt

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Marion Country Ham Days and the 4-H Country Ham Project

Author: Amanda Sublett

Major Program: Agriculture

The 4-H Country Ham Project teaches youth about food production and Kentucky’s rich history with country ham. Marion County is home to the Marion County Country Ham Days, so the project has a deeper connection with our kids and community. 24 kids signed up to participate in the 2024 Country Ham Project. We have a smaller ham house so this was the maximum number of participants.  Each year during the week of Ham Days, youth in the project can choose to enter their ham in the judgi

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Kenton County 4-H’s Progressive Agriculture Safety Day Draws 30 Youth

Author: Anna Meyers

Major Program: Agriculture

According to the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety, agriculture related incidents injure about 33 children a day and claim the life of one child every three days. And while much of Kenton County is urban, “Kentucky: By the Numbers” reports that 28% of land is still considered rural, and that Kenton County is home to 453 farms and the families who live on and work them (Zimmerman and McAlister, 2024). This means a considerable portion of Ken

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Stockman's College 2024

Author: Candice Hollingsworth

Major Program: Agriculture

According to a study initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Purdue University regarding employment opportunities for Animal Science graduates, results show that there were more than 57,900 annual job openings for new graduates between 2015 and 2020, and some 35,400 qualified graduates available each year for these positions resulting in a shortage.  Youth livestock programs teach 4-H members the value of hard work, commitment, responsibility, and valuable animal husbandr

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Middle School Ag literacy

Author: Trever Cole

Major Program: Agriculture

With ever growing disconnect between consumers and the processes to grow the food they consume, Ag literacy has become more important than ever. For the Middle school i have partnered with the Agriculture teacher there to offer hands on learning to the class ranging from ear tagging demonstrations to using KY Kate to demonstrate how a cow is milked with accompanying insight into the dairy industry. Through this the classes have demonstrate an initial increase in level of agricultural understandi

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Madison County Extension's Farm, Home, & Garden Expo

Author: Julia Reid

Major Program: Agriculture

Madison County Farm, Home, and Garden Expo Success StoryMadison County Extension Agents want and need to bring attention and awareness to the local community to keep Extension from being the "Best Kept Secret." Madison County Extension Council decided to host an event that will help bring attention and awareness to the unique resources available through the Madison County Extension Office.The Madison County Extension Farm, Home, and Garden Expo utilized various venues for outreach to s

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4-H Country Ham Program Encourages Agriculture Education and Public Speaking Skills

Author: Staci Thrasher

Major Program: Agriculture

The 4-H County Ham Project offers youth the opportunity to apply scientific principles, develop leadership and communication skills, and invest in their future. Participants gain knowledge in microbiology and food safety as they prepare green hams for curing. Those entering competitions conduct research and deliver written and oral presentations on topics such as proper curing methods, insect control, storage and cooking techniques, the history of country hams, and the construction of ham houses

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Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
S107 Ag. Science Center North
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
+1 (859) 257-4302

© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment