Focus Groups

Focus Groups established under the ENRI Task Force are responsible for specific, specialized programs. They are presented with broad issues for consideration, and are given the opportunity to more clearly identify the specific topics to address under the broad issues. Each Focus Group directly carries out activities and educational efforts related to the specific topics they choose to address.

As of 2008, fourteen different groups have operated as Focus Groups under the ENRI Task Force.

Air Quality Focus Group:

• Created two opening burning publications.
• Planned and conducted two workshops related to air quality issues.

Agriculture Water Quality Focus Group:

• Planned and conducted training sessions.
• Compiled, duplicated and distributed the Ag. Water Quality Workbook cd-rom.
• Produced two tri-bold brochures about the Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Act.
• Worked with the Agricultural Communications Department to produce two educational videos about the Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Act.
• Prepared a packet of resource materials for county Extension agents related to the Kentucky Agriculture Water Quality Act.

Animal Waste Focus Group:

• Developed a database and performed analysis to compare the available nutrients in livestock and poultry manure to the amount of nutrients removed through crop and forage production.
• Summarized information in two Extension Publications (IP-56 and IP-57).
• Worked with the Agriculture Data Center to develop a web tool for updating county assessments of nutrient production and removal that can also be used to do farm-level estimates for nutrients removed by crops and forages and produced by livestock and poultry.
• To view resources produced by this focus group please visit the Nutrient Management in Kentucky website.

Basic Natural Resource Education Focus Group:

• Planned and conducted in-service training sessions.
• Worked with the Kentucky Environmental Education Council to conduct environmental education workshops for non-formal educators. The workshops provided information about how schools have changed in recent years, what motivates teachers, and how the environment can be used to integrate the school curriculum. Participants reviewed the Kentucky Department of Education Program of Studies and had the opportunity to align certain projects and activities to the Program of Studies.
• Re-offered trainings on how to link environmental education to the expectations for Kentucky schools under the Kentucky Education Reform Act. Worked with representatives of the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education (KAEE) to offer and promote workshops that will feature the North American Association for Environmental Education 'Guidelines for Excellence in Environmental Education.'

Drinking Water Focus Group:

• Worked to designate May as 'Kentucky Water Awareness Month'.
• Developed resource packets for use by county Extension agents in promoting Kentucky Water Awareness Month in 1996 and 1997.
• Conducted an Extension agent in-service training entitled, 'Addressing Community Drinking Water Concerns'.
• Developed an educational exhibit entitled 'Creating Water Awareness'.
• Received a mini-grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct an evaluation study for Kentucky Water Awareness Month.

Homestead Solid Waste Focus Group:

• Prepared the 'Solid Waste Extension Education Program Handbook' (SWEEP) which was distributed to all county Extension offices. The handbook contains information and activities related to eight different solid waste topics.
• Conducted two Extension agent in-service training sessions to introduce the SWEEP Handbook.
• Worked with the Agricultural Communications Department to produce an educational video entitled 'Dealing with Household Hazardous Waste'.

Kentucky Water Awareness Month Focus Group:

• This group is charged with developing an educational resource packet for county Extension agents to utilize in observing the month of May as Kentucky Water Awareness Month. Materials will be distributed to Kentucky Extension agents in February, and posted to the ENRI website for Kentucky Water Awareness Month.

Master Water Educator Program Focus Group:

• This group has developed a program structure and operating procedures for the Kentucky Master Water Educator Program. A sub-committee developed a core curriculum to be used in training volunteers selected to participate in the program. The Master Water Educator Program was piloted in the Licking River Watershed.

Nutrient Management Focus Group:

• Multi-agency group coordinating educational efforts related to nutrient management.
• Coordinated professional development opportunities for county Extension agents, NRCS district conservationists, conservation district employees and other professionals who may advise or assist landowners/farmers with the development of nutrient management plans. Developed nutrient management manual and video. To learn more about the Nutrient Management Focus Group and materials available please visit the Nutrient Management in Kentucky website .

Poultry Waste Focus Group:

• Reviewed materials and compiled a 'Poultry Waste Resource Book' for use in counties impacted by the growth of the poultry industry in Kentucky.
• Conducted a well water testing program in 1996 with poultry producers as a follow-up to a testing program conducted in 1991.

Solid Waste Focus Group:

• Created a Solid Waste Packet which includes articles, radio scripts, drop-in ads, and brochures related to Household Hazardous Waste , Litter, RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), White Goods, Waste Tires, and Farm Waste/Private Property.
• Conducted a workshop to discuss current solid waste issues.

Teaching Environmental Awareness in Child Care Programs Focus Group:

• Compiled and developed resources for teaching solid waste and water awareness in after-school programs.
• Identified and developed resources for teaching pre-school audiences about recycling and water awareness.

Waste Watch Focus Group:

• Developed and adapted materials related to solid waste management for use by county Extension agents.
• Coordinated the development of three educational exhibits addressing home composting, enviroshopping and product life cycles.
• Developed two packaged programs entitled 'Product Life Cycles. . .Repeat Performances' and 'Asking the Hard Questions'.
• Conducted two Extension agent in-service training sessions to introduce materials.

4-H EM*Power Focus Group:

• Introduced the 4-H EM*Power curriculum in Kentucky through two Extension agent in-service training sessions.
• Adapted the 4-H EM*Power curriculum for use with special needs audiences.