Success StoryThe Family Farm and Forage Field Day



The Family Farm and Forage Field Day

Author: Phillip Long

Planning Unit: Jefferson County CES

Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture

Plan of Work: Accessing healthy foods & improving local food systems

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

The Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service partnered with Riverside, the Farnsley Moreman Landing, Louisville Metro Parks and Metro Councilwoman Cindi Fowler to co-host the second annual Family Farm & Forage Field Day on June 16, 2018. The goal is to highlight the importance of agriculture in a major city.

 Presenters from the University of Kentucky Extension, Kentucky State University Extension, and local non-profits related to agriculture rotated throughout the day at pre-determined locations on the Riverside park property. Presenters spoke on topics like gardening, goat keeping, bee keeping, insects, wildlife, pollinators, healthy eating, forage management and production and more.

 The Jefferson County 4-H Project Day and Dairy Goat Show was held in conjunction with the Field Day creating a more county fair-like feel to the day. FFA members from Seneca High School were also on hand to showcase their Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) projects.

 The Extension Ag Agent worked with local hay producer to demonstrate the use of hay equipment and types of plants commonly used for hay. On site was a mobile hay testing lab to show visitors the process by which hay is tested and what those results mean.

 It is estimated that 400 people attended the event. 100 people visited all major locations around the property (the Community Garden, Visitor Center where 4-H projects were housed). The planning committee met following the event to determine what worked and what can be improved on next year. A short evaluation is being considered, too, to better measure the success of the event.







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