Progress report for SKY24-002
Project Information
Now in its 26th year, 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 Beef Cattle program based on requests from the agricultural community. Last year we hosted our first annual homesteader symposium to assist beginning farmers and teach practical techniques for small farms. We are including funds to support some of our KSU agents to seek professional development training 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. Third Thursdays serve as a space for synergies in small farm education. Many conferences and educational meetings are planned around “Third Thursdays” including: the Annual Small, Limited-Resource/Minority Farmers Conference, the International Pawpaw Conference, the Regional SARE Goat Project’s Collaborator Conference, and many others.
- Kentucky’s SARE PDP Model State Program objectives are to build a broad base of interest and skills in agricultural sustainability among extension agents, other professionals, and farmers, particularly mentor farmers, in the state to equip them with the needed skills to assist farmers, marketers, and community leaders, and to facilitate a diverse range of collaborative projects.
- Continue to offer basic science-based information on sustainable agriculture production and marketing. While some Third Thursday months may share themes from the previous year, the topics and materials presented will be different.
- Increase participation of the small farmers and improve the sustainability of their operations and farm diversification.
- Forums for underserved farmers and professionals to network with USDA, State, Research, Extension, NRCS, and other professionals to learn about their programs and opportunities and learn about Third Thursdays.
- The Third Thursday Thing Workshops for 2024 are listed below, including the International Paw Paw Day, Juneteeth Program and Small and Limited Resource Farmers Conference.
- All educational workshops will be recorded and posted on Social Media sites such as YouTube to make information obtainable for a wider audience that may not have the opportunity to attend in person.
2024 Third Thursday Thing Workshop Schedule
January: Resources and Funding for Farmers
February: Organic Agriculture
March: Farmers Markets and Local Foods
April: Cattle and Poultry
May: Aquaculture
June: Homesteaders Symposium
June: Agriculture Technology and Juneteenth Celebration
July: Annual Field Day
August: AgroForestry
September: International Pawpaw Celebration and Meeting
October: Small Ruminants
November: Small, Limited-Resource, Minority Farmers Conference
Advisors
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
- (Educator)
Education
This project focuses on hands on presentation and field day activities aimed at agricultural outreach professionals and farmer leaders. Both the formal and informal interactions at these events are crucial for supporting this network with sustainable agriculture professional development.
Education & Outreach Initiatives
To educate attendees about the principles and practices of “Resource and Funding for Farmers”.
This was a lecture style presentations followed by hands on demonstration/activities.
Attendance: 29
To educate attendees about the principles and practices of “Organic Agriculture”.
This was a lecture style presentations followed by hands on demonstration/activities.
Attendance: 64
To educate attendees about the principles and practices of “Farmers Markets and Local Foods”.
This was a lecture style presentations followed by hands on demonstration/activities.
Attendance: 78
To educate attendees about the principles and practices of Cattle and Poultry.
This was a lecture style presentations followed by hands on demonstration/activities.
Attendance: 32
To educate attendees about the principles and practices of “Aquaculture”.
This was a lecture style presentations followed by hands on demonstration/activities.
Attendance: 31
To educate attendees about the principles and practices of “Agriculture Technology| Juneteeth Celebration”.
This was a lecture style presentations followed by hands on demonstration/activities.
Attendance: 21
To educate attendees about the principles and practices of “Field Day”.
This was a lecture style presentations followed by hands on demonstration/activities.
Attendance: 137
To educate attendees about the principles and practices of “Forestry”.
This was a lecture style presentations followed by hands on demonstration/activities.
Attendance: 19
To educate attendees about the principles and practices of “Pawpaw”.
Attendance: 168 this was a lecture style presentations followed by hands on demonstration/activities.
Attendance: 168
To educate attendees about the principles and practices of “Small Ruminant”.
This was a lecture style presentations followed by hands on demonstration/activities.
Attendance: 36
To educate attendees about the principles and practices of “Small, Limited-Resource, Minority Farmers Conference”.
This was a lecture style presentations followed by hands on demonstration/activities.
Attendance: 224
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation Summary:
Learning Outcomes
Project Outcomes
SSARE MSP funding allows KSU to carry on its tradition of agricultural professionals and producers through its extension system. Training extension personnel, NRCS,other ag service providers, and producer leaders helps to amplify the message of SARE to this group.
Face of SARE
Kentucky’s SARE PDP program objective is to build a broad base of interest and skills in agricultural sustainability among extension agents and other professionals in the state, equip them with the needed skills to assist farmers, marketers, and community leaders, and to facilitate a diverse range of collaborative projects. The way that we manage our programs has led to strong partnerships with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, NRCS, FSA, Community Farm Alliance, Kentucky Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, the Cooperative Extension Service, Grow Appalachia, as well as grower groups across the state Our Program Assistant continues to serve as one of the primary faces of the KY SARE program. He networks extensively across the state and beyond to identify new partners and new ideas for amplifying our financial investment. The core job of KY SARE’s Program Assistant is coordinating all of the SARE-promoted trainings and programs. This includes working with the content providers (faculty, private sector, government, NGO) and SARE leadership to develop effective programs. He provides logistical support (finding meeting space, arranging travel, access to materials) and assisting program evaluation.
The Program Assistant also manages the SARE grant funds, helping with budgets, arranging for reimbursement and overall management. Because sustainable agriculture programs in Kentucky extend much beyond the SARE-supported programs, the program assistant actively participates in other activities. This includes attending extension and grower events where he simultaneously represents KYSARE and the UK Center for Crop
Diversification, allowing him to provide SARE resources anywhere they might be helpful and relevant. His engagement and connections markedly enhance the visibility of the SARE Program. He is actively involved in Kentucky State University’s “Third Thursday Thing”—monthly sustainable ag
field days covering a wide range of topics. The current Program Assistant has strong networking and leadership skills that help us build productive partnerships with Farm Services Agency, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and numerous NGOs. The program assistant also oversees reporting and proposal development.