Success Stories By MajorProgram FY2021Jul 1, 2020 - Jun 30, 2021





Reaching out during the pandemic (update)

Author: Lorin Fawns

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new illness that was first identified in December 2019, with patients reporting cases of fever and acute respiratory illness. Since that time, other countries, including the U.S., have seen cases of the illness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Mason County 4-H, Horticulture, and EFNEP have partnered to create "Brown Bag Projects" and correlating social media videos for community members in Mason County. These brown bags are free and champion at-

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Horticulture Staying Strong

Author: Sarah Imbus

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

How we work, were we buy our essential food items, how and where students connect to school and how we juggle our daily lives all while following state guidelines has put a lot of stress to many of our Kentucky families and communities during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Our two Kentucky land grant Universities, Kentucky State and University of Kentucky have continued to be a dependable resource for communities and families during these difficult times.  In Campbell County, we have engaged

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Benefits of cover crops reaches a record number through virtual class

Author: Chadwick Conway

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Each year the Knott County Agriculture Agent teaches a class in the fall on Cold Crops and Cover Crops.  This class covers various topics, such as, what crops can be grown in the fall and how to extend fresh vegetables later into the season. This class is always an interest to many gardeners who are looking at ways to increase the availability of fresh local foods.  Although, this a great part of the class, it allows the agent to educate the participants on the importance of cover crop

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Farmers' Market

Author: Roger Mollette

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Martin County has 12,500 residents while 37% live below poverty level with a median income of only $22,497.00. Residents of the county have a need for fresh fruits and vegetables at an affordable price.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year's Farmers' Market was a challenge.  All produce had to be packaged separately, masks worn and social distancing practiced.The Martin County Extension Service worked cooperatively with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Martin County Health D

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Victory Garden bags

Author: Stacy White

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

“The Kentucky Victory Garden campaign is a collaborative effort between the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University to encourage Kentuckians to get in touch with their agricultural roots during the coronavirus pandemic. The goal is to teach and encourage Kentucky families to grow their own food. Gardening has proved to have several benefits including improving mental health, increasing moderate intensity exercise, and promoting family connec

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Home Gardening Surge

Author: Jeffrey Casada

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

This spring, Covid-19 caused Clay County residents to look at their food sources in a new way.  With grocery stores running out of staples that should have been in abundant supply, Clay Countians took decisive action by planting gardens.  Home vegetable gardening in the past was just part of what you did each spring and summer, however in recent years that knowledge and experience has left many that used to raise gardens and many do not have any knowledge and experience with home garde

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Double Dollars Grant Increases Access To Locally Grown Food for Morgan County WIC and Senior Voucher Recipients

Author: Sarah Fannin

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

A high percentage of Morgan County’s population is eligible for supplemental food assistance including the Senior and WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program administered by the local health department.  The current pandemic has only caused additional food insecurity for many of these families.  The ANR agent received a $2,667 KY Double Dollars grant from Community Farm Alliance which allowed WIC and Senior FMNP participants to double their vouchers up to $12 per day when purchasing

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Family Gardening Program

Author: Nick Roy

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In 2020, our daily routines were altered as a pandemic swept across our nation.  Traditional in-person Extension programming was halted: however the needs of local citizens remained.The Adair County Extension staff worked together to develop a “grab and go” educational gardening program to provide families educational assistance in planting, growing, and harvesting fresh home grown produce.Seeds and plants were donated and purchase from local businesses.  Extension agents d

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Gardening Within Boundaries

Author: Kendal Bowman

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

During the COVID-19 pandemic many Owen Countians took interest in trying to raise their own food like their ancestors did. The Owen County Ag Agent Kendal Bowman and NEP Assistant Mimi Quiroz partnered with the 2020 Victory Garden Campaign to teach local residents how to raise food in small areas. Bowman and Quiroz brainstormed and decided to teach a series on how to raise a pallet garden. Over 6 families participated. Their mission was to empower the participants with the skills and resources t

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Windowsill Gardening Bags

Author: Samantha Anderson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

With family lifestyles getting busier and COVID19 closing many places and parks, it has put a strain on many families.  According to Harvard Graduate School of Education, "studies show gardens support and encourage healthful eating as a key component of children's physical wellbeing, which can aid their academic and social success, too." Through the efforts of the McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service, families in McCracken County started their own vegetable gard

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Giant Sunflower Contest- Family Bag

Author: Nicole Rhein

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Giant Sunflower Contest- Family Bag

During the summer of 2020 and worldwide pandemic, University of Kentucky Extension Agents, Nikki Rhein and Lena Mallory looked for new ways to engage Marshall County families in healthy outdoor activities. With increasing demand for “growing your own” and victory gardens, a sunflower growing activity was an easy choice. The Agents add a competition aspect for the biggest sunflower. Extension Office staff bagged the free sunflower contest materials consisting of seeds, informational h

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Garden to Table Video Series

Author: Bethany Pratt

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

COVID has brought many lifestyle changes to Louisvillians, Kentuckians and people all over the world. One of the most exciting changes is the renewed interest in gardening. This year the Horticulture agent spoke with a record number of first time gardeners looking to grow their own food. A Senior SNAP-ED Assistant & 4-H Assistant spoke with record numbers of first time gardeners who wanted to learn how to cook their own food. This led to a partnership between Horticulture, SNAP-ED & 4-H

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Increase of Residents Questions and Answers

Author: Kathryn Wimberley

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Due to the Covid -19 pandemic, the month of July of 2020 saw an increase in the number of people who asked questions about their lawn and garden. People were staying at home more this July. Numbers of people who asked questions about thiner lawn and gardens in 2019 was 32. The month of July 2020 showed a total of 72 inquiries by McCracken residents. This comparison of the month of July 2019 and July 2020 as a target of activity showed a 225 percent increase in households seeking i

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Horticulture Best Practices: Answers You Can Count On.

Author: Paul Andrew Rideout

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Homeowners have few unbiased resources when looking for solutions to lawn and garden problems. Many automatically turn to applications of chemicals or fertilizers that may not be necessary for treatment or consult local businesses that are motivated to sell products. Excess products ultimately become groundwater contaminants contributing to pollution concerns. Greener gardening practices has recently been hot topics with public education heading up the most likely avenue to change attitudes and

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Taking the Guessing Game Out of Buying a Lawn Mower

Author: Dee Heimgartner

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Buying a lawn mower is a large investment and can be confusing as to what type of mower will fit the homeowners needs the best. One Crittenden County land owner asked ANR Agent Heimgartner about the best option for her small farm property. The landowner is a senior but her son and grandson also help mow and were interested in a zero turn mower. The client was hesitant to go that option because she was concerned about using the mower herself with shoulder and hip issues. Heimgartner discussed the

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2020 Spencer County Fair

Author: Bryce Roberts

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

           During normal times, there are certain activities that the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service helps out with, one of these being actively involved in our local county fairs.  But, during COVID-19, the roles we played with the 2020 Spencer County Fair, took on a different look.            With guidance from various local and state agencies, the Spencer Co. Fair Board decided to hold certain events during our normal fa

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Victory Gardens

Author: Susan Fox

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Victory Gardens

Victory Gardening became a theme with a surge of interest in home gardening. Because of COVID-19 restrictions home horticulture educational programs were moved to mostly online formats. A fall vegetable gardening program was held with 14 participants receiving plants, floating row cover, hoops and tent pegs so that they could grow a fall garden. Plants included cabbage, bok choi, Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach and beet seeds. Vegetables continued to be harvested in January.

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Everyday Gardener Webinar Series

Author: Faye Kuosman

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In an effort to adapt to changes in program delivery brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Horticulture Agents in 6 counties of District Four (Central Kentucky) collaborated to offer the Everyday Gardener Webinar Series. This was a 6 week series taught by agents provided educational classes related to horticulture. Over 100 participants registered and attended this online workshop.Those completing the evaluation survey expressed appreciation of the:wide variety of programs offered, includi

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New Commercial Vegetable Producer Acquires Agent Help

Author: Mattea Mitchell

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Soon after graduating with her bachelor's degree, Caroline Webb knew that she wanted to be a part of her home farming operation, but in her own way.  She and her brother took on more responsibility with the row crop operation, but she began looking into an operation of her own that combined her interest in healthy, locally sourced foods and crop production.  As a result, Heirloom Acres at Webb Farms was created.  Over the last year in meeting with the County Ag Extension Agent

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Pumpkin Palooza

Author: Lorin Fawns

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Pumpkin Palooza was offered during the month of October at the Extension office. 4-H, Horticulture, and EFNEP partnered to provide this program to all youth and families in the community. Each Friday we released a follow-along video and a pickup bag full of pumpkin-related activities, recipes, how to grow a pumpkin, seeds, information about pumpkin farms, and crafts. We offered pumpkins to participants to carve and return for a carving contest. We gave out 100 pumpkins and carving kits, along wi

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Grow Appalachia Martin County

Author: Roger Mollette

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Martin County Extension Service works with The Grow Appalachia organization and together they address food insecurity for families focused on organic gardening practices.The Grow Appalachia program has successfully created opportunities for fresh produce to be grown and used/preserved by families in the program.  This program allowed the Extension Service to assist fifty families to produce and preserve food produced from their gardens. Many of these families could not have had a garden

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Community Support Through Holiday Wreath Program

Author: Lori Bowling

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

For the past several years the Boyd County Extension Horticulture program along with the Boyd County Master Gardener Volunteers, have offered a holiday wreath making program.  For many participants this program is an annual holiday family event they look forward to and for some it is there first experience with the Cooperative Extension Service, but it usually isn't their last.  Participants make their own fresh holiday wreath and decorate it with ribbon and ornaments, while they a

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"Grab & Go" Program Helps Gardeners Improve Plots

Author: Brian Jeffiers

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Proper fall care of gardens is key to reducing weeds and increasing yields in the following season. A key step is to sow a cover crop to condition the soil and combat weeds. Winter grains like rye are an effective choice for providing these benefit. Due to the difficulty of providing programming in the COVID environment, the County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources and the ANR program assistant assembled bags for contactless pickup by Johnson County home gardeners. The bag

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Adding Beauty to a COVID-19 Year with Spring Flowering Bulbs

Author: Christin Herbst

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Adding Beauty to a COVID-19 Year with Spring Flowering Bulbs

"Y'all please go and grab some spring flowering bulbs for this week's Snag-A-Bag!! Wonderful lesson for all those aspiring gardeners" --Facebook post from local family.January 11, 2021:  Crocus emerging.The Novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, has made a significant impact across Kentucky, the United States, and the world.  The first case in Kentucky was confirmed on March 6.   As social distancing recommendations were put into place, the Kentucky Cooperative Extension S

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Community Garden

Author: Chelsey Anderson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

With the odd season that 2020 was, a community garden was ran by one of the Extension volunteers. The garden area was located at the Cumberland County Extension Office. During peak season the garden was filled with potatoes. These were given away at the local food pantry. Approximately, seventy-five pounds were handed out at the pantry. During the fall, the volunteer planted cole crops of mixed greens. Once the plants came up and were ready to harvest the plot was open to the public to come pick

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Using Virtual Horticulture Webinar Wednesday to Help Consumers Enjoy Holiday Plants Longer

Author: Annette Heisdorffer

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Horticulture Webinar Wednesday, developed by Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service Agents for Horticulture Education in March of 2020, continued as a way to reach clientele with science-based information during the COVID-19 pandemic. The webinars were presented live through the virtual format of Zoom on Wednesdays at 2:00 p.m. ET throughout the Commonwealth.  Thirty-minute long presentations were followed by a question-and-answer period. All presentations were recorded and posted to Kentuc

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Gardening Videos Reach Online Viewers

Author: Erika Wood

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Gardening Videos Reach Online Viewers

Gardening 101 videos have been created and posted on online social media sites such as Facebook as a way to expand horticulture education beyond traditional in-person classes.   Forty-five gardening videos have been created to date and include topics such as houseplant identification and care, growing and caring for herbs, tree and shrub identification and maintenance, and annual and perennial flowers.  With the switch to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, these videos have

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Ask a Local Gardener

Author: Lorilee Kunze

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

 In March of 2020 the Novel Corona Virus changed the way the Bullitt County Extension Horticulture Program must approach community interaction and programming.  In our continued effort to reach our community and continue the develop of homeowner/Master Gardener relationships, we introduced the Ask a Local Gardener Program.  In this program certified Master Gardeners and the Horticulture Agents come together with community members, online, to answer any garden or landscape related

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Fall Foods, Seed to Supper Gardening and Nutrition Program

Author: Steven Musen

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Fall Foods, Seed to Supper Gardening and Nutrition Program

The Jessamine County Cooperative Extension Services offered a four-week online gardening program. The Agriculture & Natural Resources Agent, 4-H & Youth Development, and Family & Consumer Sciences Agent partnered together to create a dynamic learning experience. Each week the agents worked together to create a spotlight video as the main lesson for the week. Topics included seeds, raised beds, transplants, and recipe demonstrations. In addition to the spotlight videos, the agents sha

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Gardening Classes on Demand

Author: Jamie Dockery

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Recent COVID related events left many people working from home. The increased time at home and social distancing measures created a new surge of interest in home vegetable gardening and food preservation. In an effort to deliver our information to people in a home setting we had to shift to video classes via Youtube. The horticulture agent and technician began filming short, informative Youtube videos of specific gardening topics.  To date our channel features 100 short videos which have be

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Gardener's Toolbox goes Virtual

Author: Jamie Dockery

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Recent COVID related events left many people working from home. The increased time at home and social distancing measures created a new surge of interest in home vegetable gardening and food preservation. In an effort to deliver our information to people in a home setting we had to shift to video classes via Youtube. The horticulture agent and technician began filming entire classes for our Gardener's Toolbox series.  In the past year our Toolbox class videos have reached over 2808 &nbs

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Gardening for Everyone

Author: Amanda Sears

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

People seem to busier than ever! And it is increasingly common to hear a client say they wished they could make it to a class or program at the Extension Office but they just do not have the time. The Madison County Extension Horticulture Agent and the Madison County Extension Horticulture Council brainstormed ways to reach clients that do not have the time or capability to come to the office for a meeting.Horticulture classes were recorded and placed on the Madison County Extension Horticulture

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Everyday Gardener Webinar series

Author: Anthony Tackett

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In an effort to adapt to changes in program delivery brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Horticulture Agents in 6 counties of District Four (Central Kentucky) collaborated to offer the Everyday Gardener Webinar Series. This 6 week series taught by agents provided educational classes related to horticulture. Over 100 participants registered and attended the classes.Those completing the evaluation survey expressed appreciation of the:wide variety of programs offered, including entomology,

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The Everyday Gardener

Author: Jessica Wells

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In an effort to adapt to changes in program delivery brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Horticulture Agents in 6 counties of District Four (Central Kentucky) collaborated to offer the Everyday Gardener Webinar Series. This 6 week series taught by agents provided educational classes related to horticulture. Over 100 participants registered and attended the classes.Those completing the evaluation survey expressed appreciation of the:wide variety of programs offered, including entomology,

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Everyday Gardener Virtual Series

Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In an effort to adapt to changes in program delivery brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Horticulture Agents in 6 counties of District Four (Central Kentucky) collaborated to offer the Everyday Gardener Webinar Series. This 6 week series taught by agents provided educational classes related to horticulture. Over 100 participants registered and attended the classes.  Those completing the evaluation survey expressed appreciation of the: wide variety of programs off

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Everyday Gardener Webinar Series

Author: Jessica Bessin

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In an effort to adapt to changes in program delivery brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Horticulture Agents in 6 counties of District Four (Central Kentucky) collaborated to offer the Everyday Gardener Webinar Series. This 6 week series taught by agents provided educational classes related to horticulture. Over 100 participants registered and attended the classes.Those completing the evaluation survey expressed appreciation of the:wide variety of programs offered, including entomology,

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Eastern KY Plant Sale

Author: Jason Vaughn

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

 A 2019 Kentucky Extension Community Assessment of Powell County indicated that residents believe that fewer chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer should be a top priority.  Research has shown that a diet high in fruits and vegetables can decrease the occurrence of chronic diseases.  Homeowners are in a unique position to access fresh fruits and vegetables by growing their own.  Education by Extension Agents and Specialists in home horticulture emphasize

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Everyday Gardener Webinar Series

Author: Sharon Flynt

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

To adapt to changes in program delivery brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Horticulture Agents in 6 counties of District Four (Central Kentucky) collaborated to offer the Everyday Gardener Webinar Series. This 6-week series taught by agents provided educational classes related to horticulture. Over 100 participants registered and attended the classes.Those completing the evaluation survey expressed appreciation of the:•             wide variety of prog

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Community Gardening

Author: Samuel Cofield

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Trigg County Cooperative Extension Service in partnership  with the Trigg County Senior Citizens Center have worked to provide our community members with many opportunities to improve their quality of life by encouraging healthy habits.  One of these projects is a community garden located by the pavilion at the senior center.2021 will be the sixth year of the garden project started at the Trigg County Senior Citizens center.  The project began with an idea and a trailer load o

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Gardening Popularity During Pandemic Causes Class Series To Expand

Author: James Morgeson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Gardener’s Wheelbarrow Series has been and continues to be the most popular class series in Washington County pertaining to Horticulture.  During the Pandemic all classes have gone virtual however interest is still at an all time high.  For the 2020-2021 series an evaluation was done via Facebook to determine class topics. This program year there were 30 class topics with new needs determined by the evaluation such as “Best Landscape Trees”, “Saving Seeds&rd

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New Tree Variety Saves City Money

Author: James Morgeson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The City of Springfield’s Main Street is a typical small tree lined town, however during the last major sidewalk beatification project some 30 years ago the city was given bad advice on the tree varieties to plant.  The city unknowingly planted a tree that had the ability to outgrow it’s given allotment of space and has been a costly maintenance problem because of the need for multiple trimming per year.  Mayor Wakefield and the City Council are beginning a large street and

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Henderson County Horticulture Grows Leaders

Author: Paul Andrew Rideout

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

According to data from the AmeriCorps, 978,627 Kentuckians volunteered their time, talent and effort to improve people’s lives. 96.6 million hours of service and $2.3 billion of service were contributed.  Henderson County’s population is around 45,609and the need for volunteers is more critical as programs expand. The Henderson County Extension office ended the year with a leadership appreciation program that was called “Henderson County Leadership Hall of Fame”

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Pandemic Generates New Audiences and Statewide Cooperation

Author: Kelly Jackson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kentucky Horticulture agents, headed by Andrea Stith and Amy Aldenderfer, started the Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays as an alternative to in-person horticulture lessons. The live webinars utilize agents, specialists, and other experts to present a 30-45 minute lesson to the public, with time in the end for questions. All the presentations were recorded, then posted to the Kentucky Hort News website along with the slides, notes, a survey, and any other source ma

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Low Tunnel Videos Provide More DIY Options for Growers

Author: Bethany Pratt

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The COVID-19 Pandemic has spurred an increased interest in home food production. As the summer growing season ended, the Jefferson Co. Extension Office continued to receive many requests about resources for extending the growing season. In order to meet the requests of clients and provide safe educational opportunities, the Low Tunnel playlist on the Jefferson Co. Extension YouTube Channel was created.The Horticulture Agent partnered with an Extension Volunteer who had been in regular communicat

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Flower Seed Giveaway

Author: Jessica Wells

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Toward the end of the summer of 2020 the local Walmart donated several boxes of seed packets to the Harrison County Extension Office.  With COVID restrictions all programming was cancelled or converted to a virtual format.  In an effort to stay relevant to the community and to stay interactive with clientele during times that in-person classes couldn’t be held, it was decided to use the seed packets as an opportunity to connect with the public while still abiding by COVID guideli

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Vegetable and Herb Mystery Grab Bags

Author: Jessica Wells

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Toward the end of the summer of 2020 the local Walmart donated several boxes of seed packets to the Harrison County Extension Office.  At that time, with COVID restrictions all programming was cancelled or converted to a virtual format.  In an effort to stay relevant to the community and to stay interactive with clientele during times that in-person classes couldn’t be held, it was decided to use the seed packets as an opportunity to connect with the public while still abiding by

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Hort Webinars

Author: Adam Leonberger

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

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Fall Gardening (Victory Garden)

Author: Jay Hettmansperger

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Gardening has 3 seasons, Spring, Summer and Fall.  Not many people know that you can go right in behind your summer garden and plant more vegetables for a fall and early winter harvest.  The Garrard County FCS and ANR agents teamed up to promote Fall gardening. Twenty five bags were prepared with handy garden tools, a knee mat and assorted garden seeds suitable for Fall Gardening.  The ANR agent used the same seeds that were in the bags to plant a demonstration garden at the Exten

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Pick Plant and Eat (PPE)

Author: Jay Hettmansperger

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The FCS and ANR agents teamed up to promote home gardening and healthy eating. The Plant, Pick and Eat program was designed to help gardeners throughout the whole process of raising their own vegetables. The ANR agent was responsible for advising on growing the vegetable garden and the FCS agent was to advise on preserving or cooking the vegetables. Twenty one participants started the program by picking up a bag filled with garden tools, seeds, recipe cards and canning and preserving guides. The

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Starting the year off starting seeds

Author: Stephen Lewis

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Starting the year off starting seeds

The year spring 2021 started off with many people eager to get out of their homes and into their gardens, so it was no surprise that there was a lot of interest in seed starting. Starting transplants from seeds seems like a simple task but there are many nuances that beginning gardeners may overlook and result in less than excellent results.  The University of Louisville Garden Commons group invited Kentucky State University Extension agent Stephen Lewis to conduct a class on seed starting

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Annual Flowers Made Easy

Author: Roger "Darrell" Simpson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The April lesson for the Pennyrile Area Homemakers was Annual Flowers Made Easy. The lesson was taught as a hybrid with some homemakers and guests attending virtually while others attended in person. Twenty Five participants and FCS Agents from Caldwell, Todd, and Trigg  attended the program. They learned specific characteristics about annual flowers such as sun versus shade preference, plant height, and different uses such as border plantings, edging, and cut flowers. Nineteen of the progr

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Campbell County Wednesday Horticulture Series

Author: Sarah Imbus

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Campbell County Extension continued to follow guidelines and procedures as it related to programming during the COVID-19 outbreak. As essential employees and assets to our county, we strived to implement programming and resources throughout the county according to the university administration and county guidelines. As warmer weather was approaching, Campbell County horticulture department planned a weekly hour and a half Zoom prog

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Tool Care - a return to gardening

Author: Sharon Flynt

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

According to the National Gardening Association Annual Survey, interest in gardening in the U.S. nearly doubled in 2020. Those numbers included new gardeners who needed new tools, and those who had returned to gardening (thanks to free time provided by the quarantine) and found that neglect had taken a toll on their garden tools.  When you consider that garden tools can be quite a monetary investment for a gardener, a class on Tool Care made sense.  Keeping garden tools properly stored

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Getting Your Garden Started Online Workshop Series

Author: Bethany Pratt

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In February of 2021, the Jefferson Co. Horticulture Agent (Hort. Agent) partnered with the Jefferson Co. Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) to teach two sessions of a five-week-long online workshop, “Getting Your Garden Started”. A total of 60 people registered for the event and 34 of those folks attended all 5 sessions. Because the workshop series was taught on zoom, each session was recorded and uploaded to the Jefferson Co. Extension & Conversation District’s

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Impatient Gardener Series

Author: Amanda Sears

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Madison County Cooperative Extension Horticulture Agent offered a series of classes via zoom called "The Impatient Gardener". The goal of this series was to highlight the most important aspects of each featured topic in twenty to thirty minutes. Supplemental publications and resources were sent to the participants in advance of each class. Classes were taught each Wednesday for seven weeks at noon. Classes included:1. Getting Started2. Gardening in Small Spaces3. Backyard Frui

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First-Time Gardeners Learn Planning Skills

Author: Brian Jeffiers

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

As the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted food supplies in early 2020, many families began looking for ways to produce their own vegetables at home. However, many lacked the expertise to do so. To address this need, Johnson Co. Extension sought and received a grant of $11,300 to conduct the Grow Appalachia program with 48 Johnson County families. The program includes education as well as technical assistance and inputs for production. The pandemic further complicated educational efforts by making

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Horticulture How To

Author: James Morgeson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

After doing a few hands on Horticulture videos at the beginning of the pandemic it was determined through online evaluations that clientele wanted more hands on or how to videos on various horticultural topics.  This need grew into an ongoing video program called Horticulture How To.  Several videos have been made since and uploaded to the Washington County Horticulture You Tube Channel and the Washington County Facebook Page all linked to the Washington County Extension Website. Thus

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Long Term Benefits of Garden Shed Herb Day

Author: Lori Bowling

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Boyd County Extension Horticulture program and the Boyd County Master Gardeners have hosted a Garden Shed Herb Day event each May since 2001.  Over the years the event has grown from a backyard setting with 12 attendees to being held at the Extension Educational Facility with over 120 attendees.  The educational topics each year are based on the herb of the year with speakers talking about how to grow herbs, their benefits and how to use them.  In 2020 this event was cancelled

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Family Pumpkin Day

Author: Jessica Bessin

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Family Pumpkin Day

The Cooperative Extension Service of Mercer County continually seeks to expose new audiences to the resources available to all Kentuckians. The Mercer County Extension Agents for Horticulture and Family Consumer Sciences with the 4-H Youth Development Program Assistant teamed up to elaborate on existing programs to reach new clientele. Family pumpkin fun day, an event offered in the fall, taught families about how pumpkins are grown, the varieties available, and how to use them in preparing

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EXPO on Location

Author: Kelly Jackson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

According to a recent study by Gardening Insights marketing survey, gardeners spent 42% more time gardening in 2020 and younger gardeners (ages 19 to 28) are showing the most growth. This has been a noticeable trend since 2013 but the pandemic of 2020 saw the most rapid increase in gardeners. The Christian County Extension Office, working with the local Master Gardener Association, hosted the EXPO on Location as a new way to connect local garden centers with new and existing gardeners. The event

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Assisting Clientele with Horticulture Questions

Author: Erika Wood

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

 Customer service is a major component to being a county agent.  In Hopkins County, clientele will call, walk-in, or email questions relating to different gardening subjects.  One of the most common gardening topics mentioned is soil testing and fertility.  On average, the Hopkins County Extension Office receives 200 to 400 soil samples in a year.   In 2021, 111 soil samples have been tested and analyzed as of May 2021.  The soil samples are sent to the soil lab at

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Master Gardener COVID Response - Gardening programs

Author: Susan Fox

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Master Gardener COVID Response - Gardening programs

In response to the COVID pandemic, four of the Lyon County Extension Master Gardeners have prepared and taught five classes. These have been offered online or, as restrictions have eased, a combination of online and in-person. Classes included Weed Control in the Garden, Windowsill Herbs, Native Plants in the Landscape, Early Spring Vegetable Gardens, and Decorative Pots with Edible Plants and Flowers and a Plant a Pot for the Housing Authority. The Plant a Pot had 22 participants. Participants

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Gardening for Health

Author: Jeremy Williams

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Harlan County has historically ranked high in the number of chronic illnesses rates, statewide.  To help educate citizens in heathy eating habits, the Family and Consumer Science and Agriculture and Natural Resources agents are working with the University of Kentucky Superfund Community Engagement Core (UK-CEC).  The Harlan County Extension Council helped in bringing seven families to participate in the four year BerryCare program.   Families initially learned how to plant and gro

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Spring Plant Swap Enhances People’s Knowledge of Plants

Author: Erika Wood

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In the past several years, the Pennyroyal Master Gardener Association has held a spring and fall plant swap at the Hopkins County Farmers Market.  The purpose of the spring plant swap was to give the community an opportunity to come swap plants with one another.  Participants brought plants they were willing to give away and then could pick from plants donated by other participants to take home.   A wide range of plants were brought to the swap and included the following: herbaceo

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2021 Free Seed for your Garden

Author: Peggy Jones

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

2021 Free Seed for your Garden

During spring of 2021 and after a yearlong of Covid-19, the Rowan County Extension FCS Agent team up with the Rowan County ANR Instructor at the High School.  This year we want to increase the knowledge of our youth on the importance of growing healthy vegetables with their family and the importance of learning how to survive from the earth. The Extension Office purchased 150 pounds of Trucker Sweet Corn, 150 pounds of Onion Sets and 50 pounds of Top Crop Green Bean seed; Caudill Seed Compa

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Group Plant Order

Author: Paul Sizemore

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Eastern Kentucky has very few resources for locally grown fruit plants at a reasonable price.  The Extension Agents of 22 counties and Wise County Virginia come together each year to do a bulk order of strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, blueberry, asparagus and candy onion transplants. The combination of that many orders makes it possible for deep discounts to the customer.    For example if a customer only wants 50 strawberry plant and orders directly from the nursery the cost is

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Learn Grow Eat Go

Author: Lorin Fawns

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Mason, Meade, and Fayette Counties collaborated on a virtual Learn Grow Eat Go program. 4-H agents and Horticulture agents were involved in the planning and teaching of the program. This was a 10-week program that met via ZOOM each Thursday and had supplemental items to go along with the virtual lesson. Youth learned about gardening and got a vast variety of seeds, containers to plant in, craft supplies, and publications/recipes to go with each lesson. The lessons were interactive and we made po

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Hispanic Family Raised Bed Gardens

Author: Faye Kuosman

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Hispanic Family Raised Bed Gardens

The Woodford County Extension Agent for Horticulture collaborated with the Woodford County Public Schools English Language Learner District Interpreter and the English Language Learner Instructional Assistant to offer a raised bed gardening program to Hispanic families in the community. There were a total of 12 families that attended for a total of 28 attendees. Families were given a raised bed garden kit that contained the wood, screws, soil, and plants needed to start a 4’ X 8’ rai

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Youth Gardening Education

Author: Keith Hackworth

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

At the direction of our leadership, Extension has been collaborating with several community groups this year. One such collaboration is with the Floyd County Health Department, four local daycare centers, and Extension Master Gardeners. The goal of the program is to provide education and nutritious fruits and vegetables to daycare age youth and their parents. Raised beds and container gardens have been established at four local daycare centers. The gardens were planted with strawberries, cherry

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Assisting Horticulture Producers

Author: Amanda Sears

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Madison County Horticulture Agent supported commercial horticulture producers this past year in several ways. Specific focus areas were increasing farm revenue and food safety. Highlights include co-hosting programs through an industry partnership with the Kentucky Horticulture Council (KHC) and offering the Produce Best Practices Training.In the spring, the Agent worked with KHC and visited with farmers who were participating in the Kentucky Small Fruits Initiative, a program designed to pr

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The Mountain Zoom

Author: Jeremy Williams

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Not only did COVID-19 create challenges on a global scale, but Extension programming also faced unprecedented barriers. As conventional meetings became restricted or eliminated entirely, delivery of educational programming required adaptation from both sides -- educators and clientele. When it became apparent in March 2020 that Extension educational programming delivery would need to adapt, agents in Virginia and Kentucky organized a series of educational offerings via Zoom. By the end of May 20

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Grow and Learn

Author: Lorin Fawns

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

 The horticulture agent and nutrition education program/EFNEP assistant partnered to offer gardening items and recipes to participants who use assistance through local food banks. Master Gardeners put together 900 bags that were given out while families pick up items from the food bank.            Each family received a bag with numerous gardening publications, seeds, and recipes along with a survey that asked numerous questions to ensure items were used. Many

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Pay Dirt Newsletter

Author: Amanda Sears

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Madison County Horticulture Agent publishes a monthly newsletter called Pay Dirt. The newsletter disseminates timely horticulture information and advertises upcoming education opportunities. The research-based information is provided by the Horticulture Agent and University of Kentucky Specialists from horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, plant and soil sciences and other departments. Farmer's market and SNAP-ED information is also included. The newsletter is distributed electronic

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Low-cost berry, asparagus, and onion plants help local producers

Author: Eric Baker

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Eastern Kentucky has limited availability for locally grown fruit plants at an economical price. Each year, Estill County horticulture enthusiasts are very interested in growing berries for home use and marketing. In response, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service of Estill County joined other county offices to order berry plants and asparagus. County Extension Agents of 22 counties and Wise County Virginia collaborate to make a bulk order of strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, blu

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Flood Relief 2021

Author: Reed Graham

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Abraham H. Maslow introduced the concept of a hierarchy of needs back in 1943. The hierarchy suggests that people are motivated to fulfill their basic physiological needs, before proceeding through rising levels of need—safety & security, love/belonging, self-esteem, to self-actualization.  During the early spring in Breathitt County Kentucky, many residents suffered physiological losses from a devastating flood; leaving many without clean drinking water, a home, or a way to clean

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Horticulture Webinar Series

Author: Anthony Tackett

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In an effort to adapt to changes in program delivery brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Horticulture Agents in 4 counties in Central 4 and Central 2 areas (Bourbon, Franklin, Harrison, and Woodford) collaborated to offer Horticulture Webinar Series. This 6 month series hosted by agents provided educational classes related to horticulture. 529 participants attended the 18 webinars. The use of webinars and other technologies has further increased our reach through sharing recordings throu

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Blackberry Plants Yield Continuing Education Experience

Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Blackberry Plants Yield Continuing Education Experience

As part of a research project with the University of Kentucky’s Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, the Danville-Boyle Co. Senior Center and the Boyle Co. Extension Office, a blackberry planting was established in 2018. At its start, the project looked at nutritional aspects of increasing blackberry consumption in the elderly. As well as improving physical exercise through plant care and harvesting.  As the project begins to reach its conclusion,

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2021 Horticulture Webinar Series

Author: Faye Kuosman

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In an effort to adapt to changes in program delivery brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Horticulture Agents in 4counties in Central 4 and Central 2 areas (Bourbon, Franklin, Harrison, and Woodford) collaborated to offer Horticulture Webinar Series. This 6 month series hosted by agents provided educational classes related to horticulture. 529 participants attended the 18 webinars. The use of webinars and other technologies has f

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Home gardening

Author: Stacy White

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In today's uncertain economic and social climate there is an increasing interest in learning to grow your own food.  In cooperation with Grow Appalachia and Save the Children, home gardening classes are presented to underprivileged families wanting to grow their own gardens.  The Grow Appalachia group is hosted by Henderson Settlement, a United Methodist Mission, which services Whitley and surrounding counties.  The Save the Children gardening program is conducted in partnersh

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2021 Horticulture Webinar Series

Author: Jessica Wells

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In an effort to adapt to changes in program delivery brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Horticulture Agents in 4 counties in Central 4 and Central 2 areas (Bourbon, Franklin, Harrison, and Woodford) collaborated to offer Horticulture Webinar Series. This 6-month series hosted by agents provided educational classes related to horticulture. 529 participants attended the 18 webinars. The use of webinars and other technologies has further increased our reach through sharing recordings throu

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Home Lawn Improvement Guidebook

Author: Kristin Hildabrand

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

After receiving several inquiries related to home lawn care from Warren County residents, the horticulture agent developed the Home Lawn Improvement Guidebook to help homeowners better understand the process for improving the appearance of their Kentucky lawns. This home lawn improvement guidebook was also intended to guide residents on the best time to carry out specific lawn care practices and the steps to help them achieve successful results. The horticulture agent designed the guidebook

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Growing Community

Author: Jamie Dockery

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Each year the Fayette County Extension horticulture program host a Growing Community event where we provide resources and information to individuals to encourage back yard food production. The pandemic brought food insecurity to many residents in our community and we specifically market this program in food insecure areas to reach as many people as possible. We dramatically increased our supply of garden kits to help offset this need for 2021. Saturday May 1st, our horticulture team with support

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Thanksgiving Dinner Drive at NKU FUEL food pantry

Author: Sarah Imbus

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

          2020 brought new and inventive opportunities as Kentuckians and others from around the world, strived to stay healthy and keep food on their tables during the COVID pandemic. The holiday season for many, felt and looked different, though brought new opportunities to help and give back to others.  Kentucky Extension continued to be available and essential for outreach&

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Three Days of Nature during a Pandemic

Author: Gina Ligon

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The pandemic brought a new world and challenges to all aged people in the Boone County Community.   Hort Kids Camp was one of the first small group programs allowed to return in the summer of 2020.   It consisted of 11 children between the ages of 8 to 12 and two instructors.   With the challenges of only allowing 10 in a group including instructors, Hort Kids Camp changed to one instructor and dividing the children into two groups never crossing paths at our Boone County Environm

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Gardening Series

Author: Clay Stamm

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

                As the pandemic restrictions began to lift in early 2021, my self and the Clark County FCS Agent began to brainstorm programing ideas for our first in-person meetings for the post-pandemic world. As we thought through this, one obvious topic came to mind. In an attempt to address food security concerns brought on by the pandemic, we decided to host a gardening series, focusing on growing, processing, and preserving your own vegetables

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SNAP Gardening Education and Good Nutrition

Author: Curtis Judy

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

     Nutrition education is a program responsibility of all Kentucky Extension agents.  For many ANR agents the bulk of their SNAP efforts are done through organized farmers’ markets.  But since dozens of retail produce growers sell directly off the farm here, there is no farmers market to work with in Todd County.  Therefore, I utilize other avenues to conduct nutrition education activities.      Twice in the past I have worked with residents o

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Henderson Pollinator Group; Moving forward

Author: Paul Andrew Rideout

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Henderson Pollinator Action Group Pollinators have been a hot topic for several years and rightfully so.  According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, these hard working animals help pollinate over 75% of all flowering plants and over 75% of our crops. In the United States, pollination by honey bees directly or indirectly contributed to over $19 billion of crop production.  All other insects contribute an estimated $10 billion. A recent study of the status of pollinators in

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Virtual Fruit and Vegetable Grower's Workshops

Author: Charles May

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

he annual Perry County Extension Service and Perry County Conservation District sponsored Fruit and Vegetable Grower’s workshop looked a little different this spring. Like most events this past year and a half, we had to go virtual. Actually, one positive note that the COVID pandemic left us is, we found out we could adapt and still effectively deliver programs to our clientele. This virtual format also made it possible to reach audiences we hadn’t reached by in-person workshops.&nbs

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Growing and Cooking with Herbs

Author: Kristi Shive

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Growing and Cooking with Herbs

Warren County residents expressed desire to learn more about growing and cooking with herbs. Several knew how to grow herbs but let them go to waste because they did not know what to do with them. Others shared that they had a desire to grow herbs but had little knowledge of how to get started. In response to these wishes Kristin Hildabrand, Warren County Agent for Horticulture, and Kristi Shive, Warren County Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences, partnered together to teach a Growing and Cook

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Covid-19 Safe Programming Effort Yields More Knowledgeable, Healthier and Financially Stable Families

Author: Nicole Rhein

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Covid-19 Safe Programming Effort Yields More Knowledgeable, Healthier and Financially Stable Families

Due to the Covd-19 related restrictions, Extension agents had to be creative in designing programs for the spring of 2021. It is no secret that the pandemic increased interest in home gardening and the demand for horticulture related resources. In order to meet this demand, while still ensuring the safety of her participants, Nikki Rhein, Marshall County's Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, decided to reduce the potential person-to-person exposure of traditional programming by offe

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Garden Grab And Go

Author: James Morgeson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The poverty rate in Washington County is 14.4%, in Washington County over 170 people are living in poverty.  These individuals lack the financial resources for a minimum standard of living.  Especially during Covid, clientele had even more limited access to nutrition information, nutritious food, and how to grow your own vegetables.The Horticulture Agent and the Snap Ed Program Assistant developed the Spring Garden Grab and Go Program.  Topics included growing potatoes, onions, le

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Reaching Horticulture Clientele During the Pandemic

Author: David Koester

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Making the best of a tough situation was our answer for reaching clientele during Covid. Due to meeting restrictions we utilized virtual means for the following classes. " Selecting the Best Vegetable Varieties" class was well attended due to families looking for activities in the safety of their homes. Vegetable Gardening was extremely popular due to peoples fear of food insecurity. Our goal is to continue contact with this group and make them lifetime gardeners. 2 tree planting class

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Growing Giants

Author: Andy Mills

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions on having face to face meeting this Ag and Natural Resources Agent decided to collaborate with the Kentucky Giant Pumpkin Growers Association as well as University of Kentucky  Extension specialist to develop a program to educate those interested in growing giant pumpkins and watermelons. This ANR agent scheduled a zoom webinar for Growing Giants and promoted the training through Facebook, email, and newsletters.Two individual growers gave presentations on h

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Garden in a Bag

Author: Shane Bogle

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

With the pandemic, all programming was cancelled or converted to a virtual format.  In an effort to stay relevant to the community and to stay interactive with clientele during times that in-person classes couldn’t be held, Caldwell County Extension put together 50 "Garden in a Bag" grab bags.  The bags contained: Gardening in Small Spaces, ID-128 Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky, Gardening calendar, CHOP CHOP-Eggs, vegetable peeler, garden gloves, cucumber and squa

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Microgreens: Growing indoor salad in 2 weeks

Author: Stephen Lewis

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Microgreens: Growing indoor salad in 2 weeks

Microgreens are a new, trendy agricultural product that many people are still not familiar with. Growing microgreens is an easy way to provide a family with nutrient rich produce in as little as two weeks and is also becoming a lucrative business venture for agricultural entrepreneurs. The Microgreens 101 program was created to familiarize youth with the process of growing microgreens from seed to harvest as a means to produce food for their families or to create economic opportunities in Ag bus

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Raised Bed & Horticulture Webinar Series

Author: Kara Back

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The horticulture agent presented another Zoom webinar this spring on how to build a wicking garden bed. It utilized a new publication on the steps to construct it. Master gardeners worked together with the agent to build it. The horticulture agent presented the building process to 169 individuals watching via Zoom through the Horticulture webinar series. Lastly a class was taught in partnership with the local library on the building of the bed and also on proper planting. The use of a hybrid in-

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Virtual Success in Horticulture Programming Using Kits and Zoom

Author: Bethany Wilson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

     With the nation at a standstill for most of 2020 and 2021, all in-person Extension programs were cancelled or postponed. To stay relevant, the Pulaski County Horticulture Agent developed 9 Grab N Go curbside pickup programs and continued to add to a YouTube channel.      Grab n Go programs included a fall Victory Garden kit (in collaboration with the SNAP-Ed assistant), Grow Mushrooms on Logs kits, Scary Plant kits (in collaboration with the 4-H agent), Ca

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The Unexpected Pleasures of Gardening

Author: Philip Konopka

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic there has been an increase in interest for home gardening, including many first-time gardeners.  While working with one of our horticulture specialists, the Lewis County ANR agent set up a class for Lewis County gardeners to help new growers have a successful garden season in 2021.  However, after talking with several county agents, we decided to make it a multiple night series over Zoom so that the entire state could participate.  The four

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Community Container Garden Kits, Year Two

Author: Catherine Webster

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Simpson County Extension Agents for Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development worked jointly to provide new programs during COVID-19, with home vegetable gardening resources being in high demand since the onset of the pandemic. As a result, our joint gardening programs began with Drive Thru Container Garden Kits where Extension provided some 200 families with everything they needed to grow tomatoes, zucchini, and/or herb gardens last year.  This year Simpson Co. Extension Agents continued t

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McCracken County Fair Floral Show 2021

Author: Mary Dossett

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

McCracken County Fair Floral Show 2021

Participation in the McCracken County Floral Show held at the Fairgrounds  Need: The Covid pandemic was far from being over, so the restrictions were still in full force. The horticulture agent, horticulture assistant, and the Master Gardeners (MCEMG) had to make a quick decision regarding the fair. The fair takes place in June so the planning beginning in early January. To abide by the states Covid regulations it was decided to have an alternative to the usual fair.  Ho

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Garden to Go Packets

Author: Chuck Flowers

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Garden to Go Packets

In order to stay in contact with clients the Ag and FCS agents decided to offer Garden to Go Packets. This allowed clients to come back in the office after being out so long due to Covid. In the packets they were provided ID-128 publication on gardening techniques, variety, disease and other practices for gardens.  Clients were given Plate It Up recipes.  Each packet contained Healthy Choices information, coloring and Healthy Eating for kid’s books, a gardening calendar, plus all

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Youth Garden Campaign

Author: Jann Knappage

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Nutrition Education Program hosted a virtual Agent and Assistant training on May 13th 2021. This training was the kick-off of a Youth Garden Campaign. The campaign consisted of a compilation of new and existing resources, packaged together to encourage youth gardening over the spring, summer and fall months. New resources included eight social media graphics focused on each step of container gardening with elementary aged children. The existing resources included SNAP-Ed eligible youth garde

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Grow Appalachia

Author: Tracie Goodman

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

McCreary County Extension has partnered with the Scott County, TN Extension Office for several years to implement the Grow Appalachia Program through Berea College for both McCreary County residents and Scott County residents. The mission of this program is to distribute garden resources and classes, provide technical assistance to farmers and market gardeners, and facilitate a network of organizations and leaders working to support food security across the region. During Covid-19, the program w

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2021 Periodical Cicada Emergence and Extension

Author: Jonathan Larson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

2021 featured the emergence of Brood X, The Great Eastern Brood of periodical cicadas. This is a momentous occasion in the entomology world and periodical cicadas always generate interest from the public and from professionals in the Kentucky Green Industry. To help county extension agents prepare for the deluge of questions that would come on this topic, I led two KERS train the trainer sessions with Blake Newton on the most commonly asked questions regarding cicadas. At the end of the two sess

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Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays

Author: Faye Kuosman

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

What began as a short term stop-gap for in person programming during the 2020 Pandemic, has become a much-attended weekly horticulture program. Due to the continuing popularity of the Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays program a team of Kentucky Horticulture agents have continued to present weekly Wednesday webinars at 12:30 ET (11:30 CT) as a “lunch and learn” horticultural program. This team also includes agents, specialists, and other experts who present a 30–45-minute horticul

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Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays Season 2

Author: Kelly Jackson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

What began as a short-term stop-gap for in-person programming during the 2020 Pandemic, has become a much-attended weekly horticulture program. Due to the continuing popularity of the Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays program, a team of Kentucky Horticulture agents has continued to present weekly Wednesday webinars at 12:30 ET (11:30 CT) as a “lunch and learn” horticultural program. This team also includes agents, specialists, and other experts who present a 30–45-minute horticul

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Second season of Horticulture Wednesday Webinars

Author: Amy Aldenderfer

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

What began as a short term stop-gap for in person programming during the 2020 Pandemic, has become a much-attended weekly horticulture program. Due to the continuing popularity of the Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays program a team of Kentucky Horticulture agents have continued to present weekly Wednesday webinars at 12:30 ET (11:30 CT) as a “lunch and learn” horticultural program. This team also includes agents, specialists, and other experts who present a 30–45-minute horticul

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Gardening To Go Starter Kits

Author: Benjamin Rudy

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Gardening To Go Starter Kits

Due to the Covid-19 related restrictions, Extension agents had to be creative in designing programs for the spring of 2021. The pandemic has brought many new challenges to families in Fulton County.  However, one of the more positive outcomes has been a revival of home gardening and importance of family togetherness. The Fulton County Cooperative Extension Service Agents for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Science, 4-H and Youth Development all partnered together to d

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Participation in the Southern Coordinating Committee (SCC) - 85 and the National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH)

Author: Richard Durham

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH, www.consumerhort.org) is an organization of government, academic and industry horticulture professional who are intent on raising the awareness of consumer horticulture importance to the US economy and in the health and well-being of Americans.The Government/Academic council of NICH is populated by the Consumer Horticulture Southern Coordinating Committee (SCC85). A significant outcome of this group in 2020 was the development of sic exten

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Partnership in Publications between the Nutrition Education Program and Horticultuer.

Author: Richard Durham

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In 2018 I was approached by NEP extension staff to help update existing and develop new home gardening publications for low-literacy audiences. I also enlisted our extension vegetable specialist, Rachael Rudolph, to help. We have published eight peer reviewed extension publications with three of these also translated to Spanish. These publications are being used by state and county NEP, EFNEP, and horticulture extension personnel to develop gardening and nutrition programs in Kentucky counties.

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Spring Garden Series 2021

Author: Jane Proctor

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically changed people’s lives. In addition to challenges and struggles related to mental/physical health, finances, supply/demand and food insecurities, people also experienced unexpected upsides. One such silver lining that came from disrupted routines included new hobbies. For example, gardening became a positive pastime that promoted nature, sunshine, physical activity, food, stress relief and relaxation. In addition, gardening contributes to a positive mood

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Ready, Set, Grow: The Seed Series

Author: Rebecca Konopka

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

           The pandemic gave people more time at home to focus on gardening and forced Extension Agents to turn to virtual programming.  As a result of this the Carter County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources created Ready, Set, Grow: The Seed Series.   Videos about various garden topics were posted on Facebook and YouTube.    After watching the video, participants could request free seed packets that had been donated to the

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Informing growers and public through Insect Info Webinar conducted by Entomology Specialists:

Author: Raul Villanueva

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The department of Entomology extension team offered a webinar series during several weeks in October and December 2020. The objective of this event was to expand the knowledge of growers, CEA, and consultants on pest problems and management. Speakers included Drs. R. Villanueva (Tiny and Mighty Mites in High Tunnels and Greenhouses: Species and Management), R. Bessin (Pesticide Recommendations and Safety, and Veterinary pests), J. Larson (Upcoming Invasive Species, and Pollinators and Stinging I

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