Report on the 3rd Annual Ag Roundup at Kentucky State University and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Event Overview

• Event: 3rd Annual Ag Roundup
• Hosting Body: The College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources, Kentucky State University
• Dates: September 4, 5, and 6
• Primary Objective: To convene diverse stakeholders to celebrate the university’s impact on agriculture and foster student professional development, directly contributing to several key Sustainable Development Goals.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaborative Impact

The event is designed to foster partnerships, a cornerstone of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by bringing together a wide array of participants from across the Commonwealth, including:

• Middle and high school students
• College students
• University faculty
• Farmers
• Local businesses
• Other community stakeholders

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The 3rd Annual Ag Roundup actively supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through its focus on education, agriculture, and community partnership.

1. SDG 4: Quality Education: The event provides a crucial platform for inclusive and equitable quality education by offering middle, high school, and college students significant opportunities for professional development and lifelong learning within the agricultural sector.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger: By celebrating and showcasing Kentucky State University’s impact on agriculture, the roundup promotes sustainable agricultural practices and innovation. This focus is essential for ending hunger, achieving food security, and improving nutrition.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The event facilitates connections between students, farmers, and local businesses. This network promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth by preparing the future workforce for productive employment and decent work in agriculture and related industries.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • The article discusses the “3rd Annual Ag Roundup,” an event centered on agriculture. This directly connects to SDG 2, which aims to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. The involvement of the “College of Agriculture,” “farmers,” and a focus on “agriculture” itself highlights the relevance of this goal.

2. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • The event is explicitly designed for “middle, high school, and college students” with a stated goal of promoting “student professional development.” This aligns with SDG 4, which seeks to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, including skills for employment.

3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article states that the event will bring together a diverse group of participants, including “students, … faculty, farmers, local businesses, and other stakeholders from across the Commonwealth.” This multi-stakeholder collaboration is the core principle of SDG 17, which encourages partnerships between governments, the private sector, and civil society to achieve sustainable development.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. Target 2.a: Increase investment… in agricultural research and extension services… to enhance agricultural productive capacity.

   • The event, hosted by the “College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources at Kentucky State University,” serves as a form of an agricultural extension service. It disseminates knowledge and celebrates advancements in the sector, thereby contributing to enhancing agricultural capacity.

2. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

   • The event’s focus on “student professional development” for “middle, high school, and college students” in the field of agriculture directly addresses this target by providing young people with exposure to and skills relevant for careers in the agricultural sector.

3. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

   • The “Ag Roundup” is a practical example of such a partnership. It brings together a public institution (Kentucky State University), students (civil society), farmers (private/civil society), and “local businesses” (private sector) to work towards a common goal.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicator for Target 2.a

   • The article mentions this is the “3rd Annual Ag Roundup.” This implies an ongoing commitment. An indicator could be the number and frequency of agricultural extension and educational events organized by the university to support the local agricultural community.

2. Indicator for Target 4.4

   • The event targets various student levels. An implied indicator is the number of students (youth) participating in professional development events related to agriculture and other vocational fields.

3. Indicator for Target 17.17

   • The article lists the types of participants. A relevant indicator is the number and diversity of stakeholders (e.g., academic institutions, private sector businesses, farmers, students) actively participating in the partnership or event.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: state-journal.com