‘Putting all the pieces of Extension together’: Water conservation practices in full display at local farm – University of Kentucky

Report on Water Conservation Practices at Robin Ridge Farms Emphasizing Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

On June 26, 2025, a field day event was held at Robin Ridge Farms in Bourbon County, Kentucky, to promote applied water conservation practices. This initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The event was led by Amanda Gumbert, Extension Water Quality Specialist at the University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE), supported by grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Background and Context

• Location: Robin Ridge Farms is situated in the Hinkston Creek watershed, which feeds into the Licking River, a critical source of municipal drinking water for Bourbon and surrounding counties.
• Environmental Challenge: Protecting water quality by managing runoff and reducing sediment and manure contamination to minimize municipal water treatment requirements.
• Community Engagement: Farmers and community members were invited to learn about conservation practices implemented at the farm.

Conservation Practices Implemented

Farm owners Ben and Savannah Robin led walking tours showcasing various conservation measures designed to enhance water quality and soil health. These practices include:

1. Gateway protection
2. Drainageway shaping and seeding
3. Fencing to control livestock access
4. Feed pad and bale grazing management
5. Stream fencing to protect waterways

Role of Extension Services and Peer Learning

The UK Cooperative Extension Service played a vital role in facilitating knowledge exchange and technical support, consistent with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Key aspects include:

• Field days fostering peer-to-peer learning among farmers.
• Workshops such as the “Tap Your Potential” farmer watershed leadership program targeting local watershed farmers.
• Participation in “One Good Idea Shop Talks,” enabling dialogue on row crop and livestock conservation efforts.
• Direct assistance from county extension agents and specialists to address farm-specific challenges.

Impact and Outcomes

• Implementation of conservation practices has improved the farm’s resilience to erosion and flooding, particularly during heavy rainfall events.
• Enhanced protection of water resources contributing to healthier ecosystems and safer drinking water supplies.
• Strengthened community capacity through shared knowledge and collaboration.
• Demonstration of effective integration of research, education, and practical application in sustainable agriculture.

Funding and Acknowledgments

This project was funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement number 00D87719 and through a grant under §319(h) of the Clean Water Act (Grant #23-02) via the Kentucky Division of Water to the University of Kentucky.

Further Information

• Soil and Water Extension Efforts: https://soilandwater.ca.uky.edu
• UK Cooperative Extension Service: https://extension.ca.uky.edu

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article focuses on protecting waters that provide drinking water and managing runoff to reduce contamination, directly relating to ensuring availability and sustainable management of water.
2. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Implementation of conservation practices on farms to manage resources responsibly and reduce pollution aligns with sustainable consumption and production patterns.
3. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • Efforts to reduce soil erosion and protect watersheds contribute to the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems and combat land degradation.
4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article highlights collaboration between farmers, extension services, and government agencies, emphasizing partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 6 – Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, and substantially increasing water recycling and safe reuse.
2. SDG 6 – Target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes.
3. SDG 12 – Target 12.4: Achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle to minimize adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
4. SDG 15 – Target 15.3: Combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world.
5. SDG 17 – Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.
   • Implied through efforts to reduce runoff, manure, and sediment entering waterways to improve water quality in the Hinkston Creek watershed.
2. Indicator 6.6.1: Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time.
   • Implied by conservation practices aimed at protecting the watershed and reducing erosion.
3. Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area.
   • Implied by addressing soil erosion and land degradation on the farm.
4. Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States Environmental Protection Agency funding and support provided to local projects.
   • Explicitly mentioned through EPA grants supporting the research and conservation projects.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: uknow.uky.edu