Describe the Issue or Situation.

When I started my position last fall, I was informed that I would need to host an Ag Advisory Council Meeting. In doing my research of the previous meetings, I found little recorded information from the last 7 years pertaining to minutes and member status. So I learned very quickly that I would need to start from scratch. I picked a date and began getting the word out as soon as possible. I mailed the postcard invitation to everyone on my mailing list, posted it on Facebook, included it in my newsletters, had it available for the taking in the front lobby, and I went and spoke directly to various organizations that I work with including the ag department at the high school, the local farm bureau district board, and the soil conservation district board. I planned out my meeting by thanking them for their devotion to the future of agriculture in McCracken County and discussing different needs in the community that directly correlate with agriculture and natural resources. We reviewed the results from our most recent Community Needs Assessment and my Program Indicators Major Programs list to help give them an idea of what the community says is needed along with a general outline of what I can and am expected to do. After all of the outreach and preparation, I ended up having a very good attendance for my first meeting. This has now lead to planning for my second meeting, evaluating my program, and setting future goals. We are planning to meet on December 12th and I will provide an update based on my program progress since our last meeting in June as well as what they would like for me to include in the next Plan of Work for ANR.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

Ag Advisory Council Meeting

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

I had 14 people attend my first advisory council meeting. I had a diverse group of people from farmers to teachers, Farm Bureau and Soil Conservation board members, extension district board members, and various community members. I had 3 members of the black community attend amongst the other participants who were white. There were 8 females and 6 males in attendance. for my next meeting coming up this December, I am inviting all of those who attended the first meeting and more who were interested in the topic.

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

I am now getting accurate and input from my involved community members on what programming they would like to see from me in the upcoming years.