Kentucky has much to offer in the way of agriculture. Of Kentucky’s total acreage (25.4 million acres), 13 million acres (51%) is farmland. Kentucky farms produce a variety of agricultural products. The top agricultural enterprises (based on sales) in the Commonwealth include poultry, horses, cattle, and soybeans and corn. Each year in Kentucky, agriculture contributes roughly $45.6 billion to our economy. 

The Kentucky 4-H Agricultural Science Program engages 4-H members in a variety of hands-on activities and experiences that cultivate an increased understanding and appreciation for agriculture. Projects and activities are offered in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science. For FY2018 (July 2017 – June 2018):

• 2,918 youth demonstrated a skill that was learned and/or improved by participating in a 4-H ANR project, program, event or activity
• 857 youth kept production, performance or financial records on their 4-H agriculture projects.
• 3,428 youth understood the role of agriculture in the production of food and fiber.
• 2,655 youth are more aware of local farmer’s markets and community gardens. 

A wide variety of county agricultural 4-H programs are offered across the Commonwealth, including but not limited to livestock, horse, rabbit, and gardening clubs, country ham projects, agriculture field days, embryology in the classroom projects, and garden school enrichment programs. 

• Nine Christian County 4-H members participated in the Bucket Calf Project, a new program that connects youth with local cattle producers. Each 4-H’er partnered with a local producer to select an orphaned calf. Over the course of a 3-month period, each youth cared for their selected calf and prepared the calf to exhibit at the Western Kentucky State Fair. Of the nine youth that began the project, seven exhibited their selected animal at the fair. 
• Harrison and Pendleton County 4-H Programs collaborated with local agricultural agencies and businesses to host the Ag Reality Series, a week-long program geared towards high-school juniors and seniors. Throughout the week, youth interacted with agricultural professionals and engaged in hands-on exercises to learn about farm management. By the end of the program, youth selected and managed a farming operation, kept financial records, and participated in a vendor fair and live auction. 
• In Breckinridge County, the local Extension council partnered with local community leaders and schools to host a youth agriculture expo day titled “Grow It, Eat It, Wear It”. Over 250 sixth graders took part in ten hands-on learning stations to learn about animal sciences, plant sciences, land management, soil conservation, and careers in agriculture. Survey results showed that 97% of youth participants had a better understanding of how food gets from the field to their plate after participating in the expo.

Sources:

Kentucky Food and Farms Files. n.d. Kentucky Quick Ag Facts. Available online at https://www.kyfoodandfarm.com/ky-ag-facts/.