Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Anthony Tackett
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Early blight is the most common fungal disease of tomatoes in Kentucky. Producer questions related to early blight in commercial and home tomato plantings make up the largest percentage of problems year after year. During the past year the Bourbon County Cooperative Extension Service worked with on campus specialists at the University of Kentucky in designing and establishing a local evaluation trial of multiple tomato varieties to assess the natural variety resistance (if any) to th
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Cut flower production is a growing, profitable horticulture enterprise segment in Kentucky and KHC has identified more than 125 operations across the state. Since July is nationally recognized as American Grown Cut Flower Month, for 2022, a social media promotional campaign highlighted cut flower growers across the state. The target was to feature at least one grower per day on KHC’s social media channels. A change to previous years’ campaigns was to launch a dedicated Facebook
Author: Jay Hettmansperger
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Garrard County was traditionally a big tobacco producing county. The tobacco buyout and the lack of available labor have forced local farmers out of tobacco production and searching for feasible alternatives. The Garrard County Ag and Natural Resource agent was contacted by a tobacco farmer about raising pumpkins as a commercial crop to help replace lost income. The Garrard County ANR agent contacted another ANR agent that specialized in pumpkin production for help in advising the grower.
Author: Glen Roberts
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Growing Fruit and Vegetables in a large school garden utilized by the school food serviceby Glen RobertsPlanning Unit: Wayne County CESMajor Program: Horticulture, CommercialCollaborators: Glen Roberts, ANR agent, Terry Bertram, ANR assistant, Danny Adams, KSU Small Farm Assistant, Justin Horton, FFA Adviser/VoAg instructor, Kathryn Tucker, School Food Service Director, Master Gardeners, VoAg and FCS students. Situation: Today`s youth are unaware how their food is grown. Sc
Author: Glen Roberts
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Participants: Wayne County Vocational Agriculture students, Justin Horton Vo Ag teacher, Extension ANR agent and assistants. Situation: Two late rows of tomatoes in the school garden were loaded with large smooth green tomatoes and an early frost was predicted. The two primary options were to harvest mostly every tomato except the smaller green ones cover the tomatoes to protect them from the frost. The ANR agent had experience extending the season for garden produc
Author: Kristin Hildabrand
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Since 2019, the Kentucky Horticulture Council (KHC) has been working closely with Horticulture Extension Agents Kristin Hildabrand (Warren Co) and Alexis Sheffield (Boyle Co) to address needs of the rapidly increasing cut flower industry in Kentucky. Based on inquiries and observation, we suspected there were many more growers in the state than the 68 field growers listed in 2017 USDA Ag Census and anticipated growers were clustered near more urban areas. Our preliminary research indicated that
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
On November 21, 2022, Farmer Bailey, a native of Kentucky and popular cut flower influencer, was featured to speak about production of Lisianthus, a crop many Kentucky growers struggle to produce. More than 1,440 people registered for the Zoom session. Nearly 700 people participated in the webinar, with most present for the entire 1.5 hr session. 145 questions were answered, showing really great engagement of the participants. Nearly 300 completed the pre-webinar poll questions showing: 28
Author: Samantha Anderson
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The University of Kentucky Center for Crop Diversification shows a favorable market outlook for production of blackberries within the state of Kentucky. Specifically, in relation to producers located near population centers, such as Paducah, an added marketing edge may be realized. Indicated by a 2011 study, Kentucky consumers show willingness to pay a premium for a product designated as locally produced. In response to this burgeoning market opportunity, McCracken County Cooperative Extension S
Author: Annette Heisdorffer
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Commercial Pesticide Applicator Training, through required continuing education hours, provides updated information to professionals in the lawn, landscape maintenance, golf course, and nursery businesses. By the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Specialist and Daviess County Extension Agent for Horticulture Education presenting the training in the county, local companies save time and money by reducing travel time, transportation expense, and possible overnight stays to attend traini
Author: Deborah Stumbo
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Appalachian Heritage Annual Seed SwapApril 1, 2023 The 11th Appalachian Heritage Annual Seed Swap was held on April 1, 2023 at Pike Central High School. There were participants from 7 states and all over Kentucky.In spite of the being a Severe Weather Watch day, there were over 300 participants. Vendors said “this was the most profitable year ever”. Several were quoted as saying they were “Thankful for the seed swap. They were afraid many of the he
Author: Sharon Flynt
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Every year since 2014, Scott County Master Gardener volunteers have collaborated with their agent to present an “open to the public” garden expo. At the expo, guests can learn about researched based gardening information and techniques, listen to gardening experts, see, and participate horticultural demonstrations, and sample nutritious fruit and vegetable recipes, free of charge. Businesses with a gardening/horticulture connection are also invited to showcase their
Author: James Morgeson
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Horticulture How-To Series was developed for those that were interested in learning by doing. One such program was growing oyster mushrooms. Participants learned about the nutritional value of oyster mushrooms, examples, and varieties, how to sterilize the substrate and the ins and outs of what to do to get the oyster mushrooms to fruit. After the initial program participants made mushroom substrate bales out of moistened pine pellet bedding and inoculated it with oyster grain spawn. Partici
Author: Paul Andrew Rideout
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Urban Tree Plan Adopted and Implemented Urban landscape can be a struggle to maintain and plan for long term beautification. Many municipality budgets don’t allow for proper urban tree management. Early in 2019, the Henderson Downtown Initiative contacted the Extension Office to help with a few selected streetscape tree maintenance issues. Several conversations over the next month led to identifying the need to better manage the health and replacement of the do
Author: Charles May
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
In April, the Perry County Extension Service in cooperation with the Perry County Conservation District conducted its’ annual fruit and vegetable grower’s workshop. Since beginning this program, ten years ago, the workshops have continued to grow to the point where people had to be turned away in the last seven years because of space limitations. More than 65 people attended this years’ workshop. The Perry County
Author: Rachel Rudolph
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Kentucky commercial vegetable growers produce a wide range of crops, which as of 2019 contributed $40.9 million to the state’s economy (Balazs & Davis, “The Importance of Agriculture for Kentucky”, March 2022). High tunnels are passively heated and cooled covered structures that offer many benefits for vegetable production, including increased marketable yield and protection from harsh weather. To date, there are more than 1,500 high tunnels in Kentucky (Deena Wheby, NRCS,
Author: Rachel Rudolph
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
High tunnels are covered structures that provide a protected environment that extends the growing season and allows growers to capture premium prices through improved yield and quality. High tunnels rely on passive heating and cooling, which means temperatures inside the tunnel can increase rapidly on sunny days and cooling the high tunnel is largely done through venting or opening the sidewalls and end walls. Tomato is one of the most valuable high tunnel crops per square foot (Galinato and Mil
Author: Rachel Rudolph
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
High tunnels are passively heated and cooled structures used for specialty crop production that can increase marketable yields, extend the growing season, and protect crops from harsh weather. Kentucky has more than 1,500 high tunnels and although there are many benefits, production still has several challenges. High soil temperatures, lack of rotation and sanitation, and intensive and continuous cropping make high tunnels hospitable environments for root-knot nematode (RKN; Meloidogyne spp.).&n
Author: Kenneth Clayton
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
As covid measures reduced travel and in person events were at a minimum, the University of Kentucky lost two full time faculty members, and some staff in turfgrass science. Extension programs for turfgrass stakeholders were at a minimum during this time. Stakeholders had questions about what exactly they could expect in way of support through the university. Through efforts of Dr. Ray Smith (Department of Plant and Soil Sciences), the Kentucky Horticulture Council, and some longtim
Author: Kenneth Clayton
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The loss of two faculty in turfgrass and the setbacks of the covid time period led to some creativity in the forming of a new model of turfgrass extension at the University of Kentucky. Dr. Rebecca McCulley, Dr. Craig Wood, and Dr. Laura Stephenson were pivotal in the formation of a new model for turfgrass extension, a model that has proven a helpful path to providing outreach to stakeholders during this time period. I was hired in June of 2022 as an Extension Associate Senior and simultan
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Lettuce is a common cool season crop that provides early- and late-season profits for specialty crop farmers across the commonwealth. It is also a reliable source for healthy vegetables for home gardeners during spring and fall. Diseases such as lettuce drop can often cause losses that affect growers for many years. The causal fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum can affect a wide range of host crops and can survive for 8 to 10 years in soils. Management is difficult, even wi
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Extension brings the university to the people. It “extends” the university to all reaches of the commonwealth. Partnerships between county agents and campus specialists have always been strong, and farmers have come to rely on the strength of our Extension family to help them increase yields and feed their families. However, in 2020, Covid-19 halted Extension as we knew it. In-person meetings and specialty trainings were suddenly unavailable to the farmers who
Author: Shawn Wright
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Upon discussions with colleagues in other states as well as with growers and County ANR Agents I initiated a request for a 24c SLN label for Reflex (fomesafen) in pumpkins, squash and watermelon. It is used pre-emergence and has been shown to be useful when managing pigweeds (Amaranthus sp.), lambsquarters (Chenopodium album), and velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrastii) among other weeds. This will give our growers an additional tool that is needed when growing cucurbits. Herbicides
Author: Shawn Wright
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Kentucky Horticulture Council has provided funding to expand the production of commercial small fruits. Jeff Howard is a small grower in Breathitt County that has been a recipient of this funding and has established new blueberry plantings, gooseberry and currant plantings, and has purchased a label maker and other suppkies for his enterprise. He has increased his production and quality and his farm has become more economically sustainable.
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Insect and disease scouting was requested by commercial producers in Taylor County. The Horticulture Agent starts the weekly site visits in January and continues through October. These visits help improve the producers' harvest / sales by identifying insects and pests as soon as possible. A new tool has been developed for more efficiency on these site visits. The Taylor County Horticulture Agent last year used a receipt book to track insect counts on sticky cards and diseases found in local
Author: Bethany Wilson
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The green industry is a $9 billion industry and employs 26,000 in Kentucky with turfgrass and landscape businesses contributing to the local economy of both urban and rural communities across the state. In 2022, the Pulaski County Horticulture Agent joined two other agents and UK’s new Turf Extension Associate to form the University of Kentucky State Turf Team. This team provides turf programming and organizes and executes the Kentucky Turf and Landscape Short Course. 
Author: Kelly Jackson
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
While most of the local educational efforts extended to growers focus on produce and greenhouse production of bedding plants, in recent years there has been increased interest in wholesale cut flower sales specifically among the plain clothes growers. To address production standards the Cooperative Extension Service in Christian County partnered with a local cut flower grower to offer two classes on production specifically targeting the plains clothes community. Topics included basic plants for
Author: Daniel Becker
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Garrett Farms in Paducah is a diversified farm specializing in vegetable and fruit production and direct to consumer sales.The owner, Danny Garrett expressed interest in diversifying into other fruits besides strawberries. After consulting with Samantha Anderson, the McCracken County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent and Daniel Becker, the Vegetable and Small Fruit Extension Associate, Danny decided that blackberries would be the best fit for his operation. After applying for a grant throu
Author: Anthony Tackett
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Bourbon County Horticulture program of the Cooperative Extension Service provides advanced orchard testing services and recommendations to local fruit growers. These tests include tissue analysis and soil tests, which are essential for monitoring the health and productivity of local commercial orchards. Recently, the program conducted numerous tests for a grower who planted thousands of new apple and peach trees in the county. The tests revealed some nutrient deficiencies and imbalances that
Author: Kimberly Leonberger
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Kentucky commercial vegetable growers produce a wide range of crops, which as of 2019 contributed $40.9 million to the state’s economy (Balazs & Davis, “The Importance of Agriculture for Kentucky”, March 2022). In 2019, it was estimated that there were more than 1,000 high tunnels in Kentucky. Management of disease, insect, and abiotic issues in high tunnels often requires options and strategies that differ from those used in field production. Thus, growers are encour
Author: Kimberly Leonberger
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Kentucky commercial vegetable growers produce a wide range of crops, which as of 2019 contributed $40.9 million to the state’s economy (Balazs & Davis, “The Importance of Agriculture for Kentucky”, March 2022). In 2019, it was estimated that there were more than 1,000 high tunnels in Kentucky. Management of disease, insect, and abiotic issues in high tunnels often requires options and strategies that differ from those used in field production. Thus, growers are encour
Author: Adam Leonberger
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
During January 2021, a local orchard hired a new farm manager. The new manager has previous experience working with grapes and vineyard management, but lacked knowledge of tree fruit management. The orchard has over a 100 apple trees, 200 blackberry bushes that needed to be properly pruned and sprayed to ensure years of production. The Franklin County Horticulture agent coordinated with the Extension Fruit Specialist and Extension Enotmologist to visit the farm and teach the new mana
Author: Delia Scott
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Beginning Farmer High Tunnel Production Basics Webinar and In-Person Workshop Series was created based on discussions and feedback received at the 2023 KY Fruit and Vegetable Conference. I worked with UK Dept. of Horticulture faculty to develop this series for those new to or interested in high tunnel production. The series was comprised of a two-part webinar series, followed by three in-person workshops held throughout the state (Central, Eastern, and Western regions). Both the webinars and
Author: Sharon Flynt
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
A recent study showed that 55% of American households engage in gardening activities. The study also found that 67% of adults are growing or planning to grow edible plants, including vegetables (52%), herbs (33%), and fruits (31%). This has led to a boom in sales in garden centers and promotion of the benefits of growing your own food. This “boom in gardening” and gardening businesses was demonstrated in April, 2023, at the Scott County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer
