Progress report for SKY22-002
Project Information
Now in its 25th year, Third Thursday Thing features monthly sustainable agriculture training sessions. The sessions take place at the Kentucky State University Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm on the third Thursday of every month with no session in December. Agricultural Professionals and farm leaders throughout the commonwealth and surrounding states are the target audience for the trainings. These trainings are structured for multiple learning types, with lecture style presentations followed by hands on demonstration/activities. We have also added a Fourth Wednesday program based on requests from the agricultural community and will support a Women in Sustainable Agriculture Group. We are also including funds to support some of our KSU agents to seek professional development in sustainable agriculture.
Third Thursdays have become an institution in Kentucky professional development educational programming. The broad range of topics (listed in a later section) ensure that agricultural professionals and producer leaders have training in the skills necessary on a diversified small farm. TTT also serves as a space for synergies in small farm education. Many conferences and educational meetings are planned around “Third Thursdays” including:
o the Annual Small, Limited-Resource/Minority Farmers Conference,
o the International Pawpaw Conference,
o the Regional SARE Goat Project’s Collaborator Conference,
o the OPPE 2501 OASDVFR Outreach and Sustainable Agriculture Educational Programs for Socially Disadvantaged and Veteran Farmers
Note that the funds in Kentucky are split into Kentucky State University funds and University of Kentucky funds. The two programs work together, though each has slightly different but complementary goals. Third Thursday Thing is one of the premier sustainable agriculture training programs in the state. It serves producer leaders, extension and other ag outreach providers in the state by offering up-to-date, timely information on a variety of sustainable agriculture topics. It meets two of the most pressing needs in Kentucky sustainable agriculture: the need for regular, relevant, basic production and marketing information, and a place for agricultural professionals to seek professional development and connect with growers and other clientele.
The University of Kentucky’s program is this year focused on the farm transition component of land stewardship. This will be achieved through a professional development series aimed at agriculture outreach providers. We plan to draw national- level experts and regional experts together in a year-long series of presentations and trainings. This is based on feedback from our ag outreach community about the need for these kinds of trainings.
2022 Kentucky SARE MSP Revised Objectives:
--Continue to offer the basic science-based information on sustainable agriculture production and marketing.
--Supplement previous efforts with new subject matter training about farm succession and transition planning.
--Expanding professional capacity of agriculture professionals in supporting producers as they plan for the present and future of their farms.
--Support the further development of a community of women working in sustainable agriculture.
Advisors
Education
The Kentucky State University Model State Program centers around The Third Thursday Thing. The Third Thursday Thing features monthly sustainable agriculture training sessions. The sessions take place at the Kentucky State University Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration Farm on the third Thursday of every month with no session in December. Agricultural Professionals and farm leaders throughout the Commonwealth and surrounding states are the target audience for the trainings. These trainings are structured for multiple learning types, with lecture style presentations followed by hands on demonstration/activities. We have also added a Fourth Wednesday program based on requests from the agricultural community and began a KSU Women in Sustainable Agriculture Group. We also included funds to support some of our KSU agents to seek professional development in sustainable agriculture.
Third Thursdays have become an institution in Kentucky professional development educational programming. The broad range of topics (listed in a later section) ensure that agricultural professionals and producer leaders have training in the skills necessary on a diversified small farm. The Third Thursday Thing also serves as a space for synergies in small farm education. Many conferences and educational meetings are planned around “Third Thursdays” including:
o the Annual Small, Limited-Resource/Minority Farmers Conference,
o the International Pawpaw Conference,
o the SARE KSU Women in Agriculture Meetings,
o the “Third Thursdays” video programs which are recorded and placed on you-tube and then placed on the KSUAG website, and many others.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
Provide full day educational workshops for small and limited resource farmers and extension professionals.
|
Workshop/Training Title |
Number of attendees |
Dates |
|
KSU “Third Thursday Thing” Topic: “Agroforestry” July 16, 2021 view streamed live through youtube and facebook
|
14 |
7-16-21 |
|
|
|
|
|
KSU “Third Thursday Thing” Topic: “Ag technology” August 20, view streamed live through youtube and facebook |
21 |
8-20-21 |
|
|
|
|
|
KSU “Third Thursday Thing” Topic: “National PawPaw Day” September 17th,21 view streamed live through youtube and facebook |
90 |
9-21-21 |
|
KSU “Third Thursday Thing” Topic: “Small Ruminants” October 15, 2021 view streamed live through youtube and facebook
|
42 |
10-15-21 |
|
|
|
|
|
KSU “Third Thursday Thing” Topic: “Agribiltiy and NRCS programs” On-Line
|
89 |
11-19-21 |
|
KSU “Third Thursday Thing” Topic: Resources and Funding For Farmers. January 18, 2024 - in-person at 10 a.m. EST and live streamed through youtube |
29 |
1-21-2022 |
|
KSU “Third Thursday Thing” Topic: Organic Agriculture February 15, 2024 - in-person at 10 a.m. EST |
69 |
2-18-2022 |
|
KSU “Third Thursday Thing” Topic: Small Ruminants March 18, 2022 - in-person at 10 a.m. EST |
32 |
3-18-2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
KSU “Third Thursday Thing” Topic: Farmer’s Markets April 15, 2024 - in-person at 10 a.m. EST |
31
|
4-15-2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
KSU “Third Thursday Thing” Topic: Aquaculture
May 20, 2022 –in-person at 10 a.m. EST |
14
|
5-18-2022 |
|
KSU “Third Thursday Thing” Topic: Pastured Poultry Production June 17, 2022 –in-person at 10 a.m. EST |
27
|
6-17-2022 |
Third Thursdays conducted trained both extension professionals including agents, assistants and associates. Farmers are also invited in and trained on subject matter. Each month with a different theme research based information was provided to help improve the farming and agricultural enterprises of stakeholders to improve the sustainability of their farms and improve the quality of life.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
Face of SARE
SARE resources and opportunities have been invaluable to a small 1890s university extension program. Through Third Thursday Things and other workshops and events, Kentucky State University promotes SARE and it's support for our agriculture and small farms programs. KSU discusses programs and the mission of SARE with small scale farmers, minority farmers and socially disadvantaged farmers to encourage their participation in projects and SARE opportunities. By working together we may make advancements in agriculture improve the sustainability of farms across the commonwealth.