Nelson County 4-H and Horticulture Agents teamed up to create a spin off of the State 4-H Program "APES". The locally created and executed program was labeled "FoCUS" or "Food Chain Under Survey". 6 youth from three separate county high schools were selected. The program consists of 4 meetings in  a year and culminates in Chicago, IL for an in-depth look at urban food systems and circular economy.  This allows for the expansion of ideas and innovation for youth to experience, first hand, as they decide if working in the broad field of agriculture and fueling the fuel economy is something they would like to do. The program has been sponsored by remaining APES funds from the Nelson County Adult Council, as well as Nelson County Farm Bureau, and application fees incurred by participants.

During this program youth were able to take an in-depth look at how food is produced and moved into the food system that we all enjoy. They have seen various business structures and marketing methods used by our farmers, food manufacturers, and retailers in order to conduct business. They were also introduced to business meal etiquette by the Nelson County 4-H Agent, and use the skills learned at a sit-down, formal restaurant in Chicago.  

Four independent programs were held and lead by the 4-H and Horticulture Agents with a large amount of site visits at all levels of production. The culmination occurs in early November where were students were taken to the Chicago, where a world of new urban farming and circular economy practices opened the eyes of many participants in ways they had not anticipated.  Said one student, "I did not know people in large cities could produce such diverse vegetables and food sources for restaurants".  Students were able to visit a large scale agricultural school in the heart of the city of Chicago, and experienced a place many of them had never ventured to. Fair Oaks Dairy provided an excellent example of large scale agritourism and the value placed on encouraging the presence of local food systems.

All participants in Nelson County's 4-H FoCUS are also very involved FFA Members. Nelson County Extension Agents plan to help each student use their knowledge gained, to produce a "Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE)" to be used with their respective FFA Chapters. This program ended November 2017 and began again in March of 2018. Evaluations to follow.