Woman Taking the Lead for Kentucky Agriculture

A Report to theNational Extension Women in Agriculture

Education Conference

St. Louis, MissouriApril 6, 2006

This is a project of the Southern Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Program and the Southern Rural Development Center (SRDC) through the

Sustainable Community Innovation Grants Program.

Somebody ought to dosomething about that?

What was needed

• Understand Kentucky’s legislative development process;

• Be aware of rules for lobbying;

• Analyze and interpret data and trends related to agriculture;

What was needed – cont’d• Prepare statements for public hearings

and listening sessions;

• Work with local media to tell agriculture’s story; and

• Develop strategies for sharing information learned with other women and small farmers around the state

Process

• Sustainable Community Innovation Project Grant from Southern SARE

• Collaborators:Kentucky Women in Agriculture (sponsor)League of Women VotersAmerican Association of University Women

• Competitive Application Process

• Conference Participation & Follow-up Session

Institute Topics

• Getting Involved—Why You are Important

• Finding Your Way Through the Legislative Maze

• By the Numbers: Finding Data on Agriculture, Community Development, and Economic Trends

• Making Your Voice Heard—Effective Communication Skills

Outcomes

• Organized to get tractor warning signs on local roads

• Worked to get 4-H livestock project started in county program

• Serving on county green space committee

• Participated in local water resource ownership issues

Outcomes cont’d• Building relationships with local farmers

to participate in and use government programs

• Writing grants with regional tourism committee

• Working with local elementary school to promote food to table programs

• Organized steering committee for study of local food economy policy development

Institute Toolkit

• Action Fact Sheets

• Available on KWIA website after June 1, 2006

www.kywomeninag.com

For more information

Gae Broadwater

Cooperative Extension Program

Kentucky State University

400 East Main Street

Frankfort, KY 40601

502-597-6325

gae.broadwater@kysu.edu