Extension
It Starts With Us
Author: Faye Kuosman
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Kentucky Master Gardener program is an intensive fifteen week horticultural training for individuals who then volunteer as Master Gardeners in their communities. Master Gardeners teach classes, create gardens, share gardening best practices, and much more. Master Gardeners play a vital role in Extension’s ability to provide clients with up-to-date, research-based knowledge so they can protect and enjoy their landscapes and gardens.The Master Gardener volunteer opportunity has given par
Author: Lynn Blankenship
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
38.7 % of all Metcalfe Co. families with children aged up to 17, live below the poverty level. For female headed households with children in the same age range with no father present, that number jumps to 85.5%. Other grim numbers tell us that 70% of our adults present as overweight & only 23% of adults consume the recommended servings of fruits & vegetables daily. The goals of this project are to increase the consumption of fresh, locally grown produce among Metcalfe Co. lim
Author: Ted Johnson
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Lee County Kentucky citizens have below average health as compared to the other counties in the state. They rank below the states mean on all health statistical categories. We at the Lee County Extension Office have addressed this problem by educating citizens on production and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables by the use of raised bed gardening. We have conducted over 20 gardening lessons in the past three years and had over 1000 people visit or o
Author: Erika Wood
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
~A summer gardening class series was conducted at the Hopkins County Extension Office as a way to meet the increasing demands of Hopkins County residents interested in various lawn and garden topics. Three different classes were taught in the summer of 2017. The first class was on Landscape Plants for Shade. This class taught about the different kinds of ornamental plants that thrive in various shady conditions of a garden. The second class was called Gardening and Your H
Author: Courtney Jenkins
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
According to the USDA Food Atlas, Magoffin County is one of several counties in rural Appalachia that is considered a "food desert." Accessing food, especially fresh, quality produce is difficult for those living outside city limits. In 2017, the County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources secured a $10,000 grant from Grow Appalachia to help address this issue. 16 families, consisting of 42 individuals, participated in Magoffin County Grow Appalachia, a program wh
Author: Lorilee Kunze
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Kentucky schools, Bullitt County in particular, score far below the national average in standardized testing in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects . Gardening Club at Roby Elementary provides an in school opportunity for hands on learning by each student on how to grow fruits & vegetables, opportunity to develop social skills, employ math concepts related to gardening, exposure to prepare the fresh foods they have helped grow, and learn about environmental relat
Author: April Wilhoit
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
A recently retired Fleming County couple determined after retirement that they wanted to erect a High Tunnel and utilize it to grow fruits and vegetables. In July of 2017, a day in Lexington at UK's South Farm was planned for the couple to talk with specialist about high tunnel production and for them to gain ideas on high tunnel construction. By August 21st of 2017 the couple had erected the high tunnel and prepared the soil for the next step of the production proce
Author: Amanda Sears
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
In the summer of 2016, Madison County designated two new county parks, Kirksville and Union City. The Jemima Boone Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) contacted the Madison County Horticulture Agent because they wanted to do a tree planting at the new park in Kirksville. The Horticulture Agent, the Regional Forester, and members of the DAR met several times to determine what types of trees were needed in the park. The Agent ran soil tests on the area and worked with the For
Author: Susan Fox
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
‘Learn by Doing’ Home Horticulture ProgramsPrograms that include a ‘learn by doing’ component are as popular with adults as they are with youth. Adults learn best when there is an immediate application of what they have learned. Home horticulture educational efforts were expanded in 2017 to include partnerships with the Pennyrile Allied Community Services, Women Helping Women, the Lyon County Homemaker’s Annual Day and a monthly series, beginning in October, with th
Author: Kristin Hildabrand
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Warren County Extension Service hosted a hands-on workshop on how to make a do-it-yourself (DIY) holiday centerpiece using fresh greenery to help citizens get ready for the holiday season. In the educational workshop, 27 interested participants learned how to arrange stems of evergreens collected from the Kentucky landscape in order to create a holiday centerpiece. The Extension Office asked the Western Kentucky Floral and Design Training Center in the community to present the program.After
Author: Michele Stanton
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Horticultural practices add greatly to our quality of life. A relatively unknown aspect of horticulture is its therapeutic uses, which can be specifically beneficial in institutional settings. Horticultural therapy is benefits people in many ways—it can help lower blood pressure, decrease the need for certain medications, help maintain muscle tone, elevate mood, and more.Kenton County Extension Horticulture, aided by Master Gardener volunteers, provides monthly therapeutic hort
Author: Sarah Imbus
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Celebrating 18 years of beauty and education, Lakeside Commons Educational Gardens has been a county jewel. Lakeside Commons mission is to serve as an educational garden for hands-on interactive learning for all citizens in Campbell County and neighboring Greater Cincinnati. Plants and growing techniques shown in the garden are based on research by the Horticulture staff and volunteers. The educational gardens represented are: rose garden which features over 110 different varieties
Author: Chadwick Conway
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
As interest expands with locally grown foods, the assistance for educational programs from the County Agriculture Agent continues to reach new families through Grow Appalachia program. The Grow Appalachia program is a sustainable based gardening program funded through Berea College and is provided to over fifty families in Knott County through the Hindman settlement school since 2012. The program has 58 families enrolled with a quarter of the participants being novice gardeners. With the program
Author: Lori Bowling
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
~~The horticulture Extension program offered a greenery/wreath making program designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary for individuals to create a holiday wreath for their home or business. During the 2week long event there were over 500 wreaths made with 425 participants from 3 states and 7 Kentucky counties. As a result of this community program over 100 of the participants had never used the Extension Service before and at least 12 were added to current program maili
Author: Kathryn Wimberley
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Hort Agent was contacted by the McCracken County Jail in the fall of 2017 about teaching a master gardener class to the local inmates. Agent assured the sergeant of the sheriff’s department that work would begin on this request. Agent contacted District Director and UK Master Gardener coordinator to ask the procedure.Agent learned that since inmates cannot work as volunteers and cannot pass background checks in accordance to the McCracken County Master Gardener program, an alte
Author: Keith Center
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
During the 2009-2010 academic calendar year Vocational Agriculture Education was removed from the Elliott County School system. During the 2015-2016 school year one vocational agriculture course was offered to Elliott County High School student’s grades 9-10, during the 2016-2017 school year four vocational agriculture courses were offered to student’s grades 9-12 and currently during the 2017-2018 school year seven vocational agriculture courses are offered to student’s grades
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Bath County extension office has been working with the farmers market group to increase their opportunities in the county. In 2017 the farmers market association, with support from the extension ag program, was granted permission to use the Kentucky market pavilion by the extension district to conduct sales through December. This allowed local farmers 3 additional months to market late fall produce in an indoor setting. To enhance sales and attract more buyer to the m
Author: David Appelman
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
For many folks in Fleming County, the best apple to use in cooking is the Goddard Apple.This variety of apple tree is named for the area of the county it was established in and for Joseph Goddard, the founder of the community. The concern for this variety, is the few trees that are left are over 100 years old and in major decline. An apple tree workshop for the region was held at the Fleming County Extension office in March with participants attending from 7 counties. Along wit
Author: Ted Johnson
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Individual’s health is a major problem here in Lee County. The statistics indicate that the health of the citizens in Lee County are among some of the worst in the nation. To address this issue, we at the Lee County Extension Service have conducted several programs addressing this. Gardening and preservation of foods is among some of the programs we have implemented to address this issue. Over 500 adults and youth have participated in such programs. They have gained knowledge and ski
Author: Amy Aldenderfer
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Gardener's Toolbox Series is a part of the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service’s horticulture classes to address the gardener's need for more information.The classes vary in their length and subject matter. This year topics included: dividing perennials, lawn care, how to grow holiday plants, wreath making, making bird houses, organic gardening, new plants, edible flowers, attracting pollinators, veggie gardening, invasive plants and alternatives, bird
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
For many folks in Fleming County, the best apple to use in cooking is the Goddard Apple. This variety of apple tree is named for the area of the county it was established in and for Joseph Goddard, the founder of the community. The concern for this variety, is the few trees that are left are over 100 years old and in major decline. An apple tree workshop for the region was held at the Fleming County Extension office in March with participants attending from 7 counties wi
Author: Paul Sizemore
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Growing fruit trees and producing fruit at home has not only been a hobby of many locals in this region for many years but is also provides healthy and nutritious food in the long run. Fruit trees bought can range in price from $20 to $30 each plus shipping and handling charges. Growers can graft fruit trees onto roots that are better adapted to this area for as little as $1 to $2 per tree. The Owsley County Extension Office has provided fruit tree grafting workshops for years. In 2018 65 partic
Author: Lori Bowling
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Boyd County is approximately 3 miles from the center of the US opioid epidemic. Due to this, there are many outreach services in the area to rehabilitate those individuals seeking treatment for drug addiction. The horticulture agent has partnered with the Pathways Agency to offer gardening programs to aid the participants of these programs in their rehabilitation process. One gentleman in the program has raised plants from seeds to a small garden he cared for throughout the gro
Author: Andrea Stith
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
It was brought up at a Barren County Horticulture Council meeting that pollinators are an important topic. Butterflies were specifically mentioned along with creating butterfly gardens. Two Kentucky Extension Master Gardeners had approached the Barren County Extension Agent for Horticulture Education about a butterfly basics program they were developing and offered to come teach it in Barren County. The program was offered during the day in March and targeted non-working or retired people who mi
Author: Chadwick Conway
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Many folks in Appalachia have enjoyed growing fruit trees around their homes for decades. Although times have changed, many still like to receive the pleasure of growing and enjoying fresh picked fruit from their own backyard. While they enjoy raising fruit, the majority still needs basic information and knowledge to be successful with fruit production. Each year, the county agriculture agent receives and answers several calls about fruit tree production.The University of Kentucky Extension Prog
Author: Samantha Anderson
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Sustainable food production practices have increased in popularity in recent years. The resurgence of gardens and backyard orchards have increased the demand for experiential learning that the Cooperative Extension Service provides. As a result of Cooperative Extension Service publications and consultations with producers, homeowners in Graves County were able to increase future fruit production through best pruning management practices. All producers expressed interest in furthering their invol
Author: Amanda Sears
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Madison County Extension attempts to reach all people in the community by increasing awareness of the diverse programs offered for youth and families. In fall, the Madison County Extension agents planned and conducted an event called Pumpkin Palooza, which was a fun and educational event for people of all ages.Each agent in the Madison County Extension Office had a different role.The family and consumer science agent told the history of the jack o’lantern to the group. She also prepared re
Author: Amanda Sears
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Scott Anderson, the Food Service Director for Madison CountySchools, approached the Madison County Cooperative Extension Horticulture Agentto help bridge the gap between the schools and local farmers.The Horticulture Agent coordinated a meeting in the fall of2016. The Agent worked with Scott on the type of information the farmer’sneeded would want to find out at the meeting. Those questions included: · How will bidding work?·
Author: Robert Smith
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Cooperative Extension is sometimes referred to as the "best kept secret in our communities." In Nelson we consider this unacceptable and make a lot of effort to keep our organization in the forefront of our community. In 2012 we partnered with one of the local radio stations to begin a twice monthly radio show called "Extension Today". This show reaches about 3000 listeners at each live broadcast and is then re-aired as a television show the remainder of the
Author: Jamie Dockery
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
A recent study at our own university identified several Lexington communities as low income areas where residents have little access to transportation, grocery stores, and subsequently, nutritious food. In an effort to address this, the Fayette County Extension horticulture program organized a program called Growing Community. Since 2010 our program has consisted of ongoing demonstrations and classes that arm participants with the basic knowledge to grow vegetables. A collaboration w
Author: Jamie Dockery
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Our society is in the midst of a revolution of environmental consciousness. People are concerned about chemical use, yet still want to maintain beautiful landscapes and gardens. Fayette County Cooperative extension's horticulture agents and Extension Master Gardener volunteers routinely advise homeowners of the least hazardous approach in dealing with garden pests and problems. In many cases our recommendation is to not use chemicals at all. Our soil testing services help avoid the indiscrim
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
This spring the Taylor Co. Extension Office partnered with The Healing Place Recovery Center to provide a raised bed for the individuals served by the center. It was brought to the horticulture agent’s attention that due to preplanned meals the individuals served by the facility lacked fresh vegetables in their diet. The horticulture agent worked with the EPNEP assistant to create a one day educational training on the construction of a raised bed, the planting of suitable plants within the
Author: Keith Hackworth
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
At the direction of our leadership, Extension has been collaborating with several community groups over the years. One such group is the Saint Vincent’s Mission Grow Appalachian Program. The program works with lower income and beginning gardeners by assisting them in the production of fruits and vegetables to feed their family. Participants are encouraged their second year of the program to market some of their excess produce and products at various venues, the farmers market being one. &n
Author: John Fourqurean
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
As McLean County has several small communities spread throughout the county and fresh produce is not always available to lower income households, the McLean County Cooperative extension Service, the Agriculture Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Science Agent, 4-H Youth and the McLean County FFA teamed up in a collaborative effort to expand and upgrade a community garden in the Beech Grove community of McLean County. New raised beds were built by the local FFA chapter and soil and other amendm
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The horticulture agent of Taylor County has been working with the Campbellsville Housing Community Center to provide horticulture education to residents who utilize their facilities. The agent was asked to do a program there, and then was asked to continue to provide educational classes each month. The agent teaches both an adult and a children’s program. Last month a container garden class was taught where participants planted tomatoes for themselves and/or their families. Fresh frui
Author: Jessica Bessin
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
With the increasing concern for food security, coupled with the detachment from farm life all around the United States, families lack the skills to grow and cook their own food. When asking a group of children where produce comes from, it is not unusual for them to respond with “the store” rather than “the garden.” To aid in combating the issue of knowing where food comes from, as well as what to do with it, the Boyle and Mercer County Horticulture Agents created a joint
Author: Jessica Bessin
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
On average a single person will spend around $20 a week on fresh produce. That may not seem like a lot, but for a new high school graduate getting ready be on their own for the first time this adds up quickly.The Mercer County Horticulture agent partnered with one of the Family and Consumer Science teachers at the local high school to teach a class gardening on a budget. All of the students in the four separate money management classes were either juniors or seniors. Majority being seniors getti
Author: Jessica Bessin
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Fresh produce can be hard to come by when you are living on a budget. An easy solution would be growing your own produce to save on your weekly grocery bill. Many though who live in apartments or other low income housing may not have the resources or even space to grow their own produce. The Mercer County Horticulture Agent along with the Mercer County SNAP –assistant partnered with their local Bluegrass Community Action office to help combat the lack of fresh affordable produce thro
Author: Stephen Lewis
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Frayser Elementary School Spring Garden Club is in its second year. The previous year (2017) Kentucky State University Extension Agent Stephen Lewis collaborated with resource coordinator Kim Bakewell to establish a school garden and garden club. Four 8x4ft raised bed gardens were built by volunteers and filled with garden soil from a local nursery. However, a lack of further funding, combined with the end of the spring semester halted things. The following spring (2018), KSU Extension agent
Author: Bethany Pratt
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
In order to increase awareness about urban agriculture in Louisville, the Louisville Urban Agricultural Coalition sponsored the Garden tents at the Louisville Free Public Library’s How-To Festival, a free public education event where people can come to attend 30 minute “TED”-style talks or activities.The Louisville Urban Agriculture Coalition (UAC) was formed in 2017 by the Horticulture agent, Jefferson County Soil & Water Conservation District, Louisville Grows, Lots of Fo
Author: Sarah Imbus
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Campbell County Detention Center has 191 females in their facility, 40 female Department of Corrections classified females participate in the Class C/D program. The program offers various work programs for women inmates to provide them with on the job training. Job positions that are offered range from laundry, janitorial and food service positions with in the facility to skill-intensive positions working with civilians in the community.Now growing in the 4th season, the garden in the urban part
Author: Stephen Lewis
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Kuumba Youth Liberation Academy (KYLA) is a Afrikan-Centered homeschool platform, located in Louisville, KY. They provide cultural education for students in the community to promote confidence, self-directed learners and leadership. Their focus is Afrikan culture, Afrikan history, and entrepreneurship. The students who attend the school range from third grade to 12th grade and they all attend the same class. They study a variety of disciplines from martial arts, chess, drumming and dance, violin
Author: Lori Bowling
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Each year the horticulture program in Boyd County offers a Garden Shed Herb Day educational program targeting the many uses for herbs and how to grow them. The herb of the year is always one of the main topics to be discussed and educational information about that herb is presented to participants. This year the herb was hops and many participants found it interesting to learn the many uses of hops beside just the brewing industry. There was also a presentation on the basics of
Author: Jessica Wells
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Many of the calls and walk-in visits received by the horticulture agent are related to home vegetable gardens. Many of the individuals who have the questions are new to gardening and others have been gardening for years, but have not always followed proper garden management techniques. Given this information, it was decided to offer a beginning gardening series of classes catered toward the backyard gardener. Of the four classes in the series, one of the classes offered focused
Author: Kelly Jackson
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Christian County 2020 Vision Plan, prepared by the local Chamber of Commerce, is a plan to guide improvements in the community and bring together multiple community partners in a unified approach to achieve progress. One goal of the vision plan seeks economic growth through more retail opportunities. Another goal is to enhance recreational opportunities that bear a low user cost to the average citizen. Utilizing Master Gardener volunteers, the Cooperative Extension Service in Christian Count
Author: Colby Guffey
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Gardening with 3rd grade StudentsFollowing a program developed by the Wayne County Extension Service the Agriculture Agent in Clinton County partnered with the 3rd grade teachers at Albany Elementary School to implement a raised bed school garden. The Agent along with two high school FFA members constructed the beds at Albany Elementary. The 3rd grade students then had the opportunity to plant and grow broccoli at their school. Each student had a broccoli plant as part of the fall garden project
Author: Robert Marsh
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Cooperative Extension has provided educational outreach to residents and staff at a skilled nursing facility in Rowan County a number of times over the years. Efforts have included landscaping consultations and working with leaders to bring therapy dogs to interact with facility residents. In a new program effort, extension provided leadership, financial support, and educational resources to establish a small garden used by residents. The Rowan County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural
Author: Anthony Tackett
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Bourbon Extension Horticulture program continues strong support for consumer horticulture programs and information in response to direct consumer demand. Numerous education activities, including classroom style presentations as well as hands on demonstrations, were presented to over 375 local residents this year. Focus areas included areas related to local food systems and personal food production. Over 130 individual consults were conducted to support these activities and more than 50
Author: Paul Andrew Rideout
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
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
Author: Erika Wood
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
In the past two years, the Pennyroyal Master Gardener Association has held a spring and fall plant swap at the Hopkins County Farmers Market. The purpose of the 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: herbaceous perennial
Author: Michele Stanton
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Success Story: Apple GraftingMichele StantonHomeowners have more questions about vegetables and fruit trees than most other plant-related topics, if our callers are any guide. They want healthy plants, and they are very likely to be persons of a do-it-yourself mindset. Additionally, the cultivars that are most disease-resistant and best to grow here—the ones I would recommend—are not always available locally, and may be hard to find on line. When homeowners grow well-a
Author: Kevin Lyons
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
It was discovered during a Cooperative Extension Service program planning meeting, attended by the Monroe Co. ANR Agent; the Metcalfe Co. ANR Agent , and the Barren Co. Horticulture Agent that each of these counties had fruit producers that had been requesting information and assistance with proper pruning methods and correct pruning times for various crops. It was determined that the three counties should partner to hold a fruit pruning workshop with the assistance and expertise from Dr. John S
Author: Alexis Amorese Sheffield
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Boyle Co. Horticulture and Family and Consumer Science Agents have been working with the University of Kentucky Horticulture and Human and Environmental Sciences departments to teach seniors (55+) attending the Boyle Co. Senior Center how to grow thornless, erect blackberry bushes and consume fresh blackberries using healthy recipes. A blackberry-growing program was designed that engages seniors in every step of the process, from planting to harvesting and consuming. This intergenerational,
Author: Roger Mollette
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Martin County Extension Service is well aware of the importance of educating the youth of Martin County on all the different aspects of agriculture. For the sixth consecutive year we have provided plant science activities at every elementary school during Earth Week. This year we added the Middle school to the programming efforts. We also added partners to the program to make it more expansive. We were joined by Martin County Farm Bureau and the Soil Conservation District This year 1,100 you
Author: Roger Mollette
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Martin County Extension Service hosted the seventeenth annual “Plant Trade Day”.The event included gardening tips and information, greenhouse tours, plant and seed swap, tree seedlings from the Kentucky Department of Forestry and free heirloom tomato plants. This year we had approximately 250 in attendance.This activity makes if possible for the Extension Service to make many new contacts each year resulting in increased participation in other programs which will have an impact f
Author: April Wilhoit
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
For many folks in Fleming County, the best apple to use in cooking is the Goddard Apple. This variety of apple tree is named for the area of the county it was established in and for Joseph Goddard, the founder of the community. The concern for this variety, is the few trees that are left are over 100 years old and in major decline. An apple tree workshop for the region was held at the Fleming County Extension office in March 2018 with participants attending from 7 counties. &nb
Author: James Morgeson
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Gardener’s Wheelbarrow Series classes continue to be very popular with 2017-2018 attendance of over 400 hundred people! Each year there is a new sampling of classes with topics coming from requests by the public or from what the Horticulture agent feels the public needs to know about. A sampling of the classes in 2017-2018 included hands on apple grafting, growing raspberries in Kentucky, tender bulbs dahlias and glads, easy care roses, hands on weed id and control, and muc
Author: Jay Hettmansperger
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Garrard County Ag and Natural Resource Agent was ask to present a program on straw bale gardening at the Kentucky School Nutrition Association State meeting. The farm to school food program has gained momentum in Kentucky and the State meeting committee wanted to offer something different to the school food service workers. Straw bale gardening is an alternative for local food service workers to grow vegetables at their schools and homes and use the produce in the school kitchens. The
Author: Curtis Judy
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Nutrition education is now a program responsibility of all Kentucky Extension agents. For many ANR agents the bulk of their SNAP efforts are done through local farmers’ markets, but that opportunity isn’t present in Todd County since there is no farmers’ market. Therefore, I have utilized other avenues to conduct nutrition education activities. Twice in the past I have worked with residents of the Todd County Housing Authority’s Pennyrile Village apartments on
Author: Samantha Anderson
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Non traditional and hobby agriculture is a vibrant component of our local Kentucky communities. The Jackson Purchase area of western Kentucky has a long history of successful and profitable pecan production. In order to best serve the educational needs of the area, a day long grafting workshop was held at a commercial pecan operation in Graves County. Graves and Marshall County Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents worked with Kentucky Proud producers, Jenni and Skip Shearouse, to host a hand
Author: W Wilson
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The PRIDE initiative promotes Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment in 42 counties in Southern and Eastern Kentucky.The PRIDE initiative was launched in 1997 by Congressman Hal Rogers and the late General James Bickford (PDF) the former Secretary of the Kentucky Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet. Their vision was to restore the natural beauty of their native region by encouraging citizens to take responsibility for protecting their environment and by provid
Author: W Wilson
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Once in a while even a blind hog can find an acorn. We stumbled across a great idea this year. We introduced mushroom production. A neighboring Agriculture Agent came over and introduced us to growing Shitake mushrooms. In the class we had the educational program then we allowed everyone to inoculate a log for their selves. These participants have been so excited that we have been asked to repeat this program again this year. However, more importantly we have had some to inquire about obtaining
Author: David Koester
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
This is the second season of our Commercial Horticulture Demonstration Plot at the Boone County Nature Center.This years plot was a featured stop on the Boone County Farm Tour. Our focus this season is on demonstrating crops and growing methods to help our farmers market growers diversify their crop mix. As part of this effort we are showing plasticulture growing techniques, season extension methods and utilization of integrated pest management. An issue identified by our current produce g
Author: David Koester
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Boone County has a large urban population that requests home horticulture classes and services from the County Extension Service.The Boone County Horticulture staff provided the following classes in spring of 2018:Adding Diversity to Your Vegetable GardenBackyard Tree Fruit ProductionOrganic Vegetable Gardening for Community GardensFruit Pruning DemonstrationsTools You can Use and How to Care for Them.Growing BlueberriesGrowing Onions and LeeksGrowing PotatoesRain Garden WorkshopSeason Long Meth
Author: David Koester
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
For ten years fruit grafting classes have been provided to residents in the tri-state area of Northern Kentucky, Cinn. Ohio and Indiana. As of this date 736 people have learned the techniques and plant physiology behind the science of the propagation method of plant grafting. Every year since initiating these classes we have seen an increase in the numbers of attendees. We are the only Extension service or organization providing this type of training in our area.The 2018 sessions saw an increase
Author: Gina Ligon
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Horticulture Kids Camp is Program that has been continuing for 3 years. A total of 15 children accepted into the day camp. This program has filled up every year and usually has a wait list. This program is popular because it is a total of three day and is about three and half hours long. The age range for the children are 6 to 11 years of age.The first day of the program is spent at the Extension Office and we talk about fruits and vegetables.The children start t
Author: David Koester
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
A priority identified by the Boone County Horticulture Advisory Council was providing gardening opportunities for individuals with special needs. One of the most effective methods to achieve this goal is adapting the garden to the individual. Working with the Toyota Warehouse facility Terra group adaptable raised beds were constructed. The Terra group is made up of Toyota employees. Toyota management encourages their employees to volunteer in their communities.Plans for the raised beds were
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Kentucky agriculture and natural resources and horticulture county Extension agents reported 70% to 85% of time was spent assisting homeowners. Inquiries from homeowners can vary greatly. Common questions require a knowledge of plant diseases, insects, abiotic issues, weed management, and wildlife damage, as well as the ability to differentiate between these issues. Extension professionals in the Department of Plant Pathology support agents by providing consultations through email exchanges, pho
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Kentucky agriculture and natural resources and horticulture county Extension agents reported 70% to 85% of time is spent assisting homeowners. Inquiries from homeowners can vary greatly. Common questions require a knowledge of plant diseases, insects, abiotic issues, weed management, and wildlife damage, as well as the ability to differentiate between these issues. Extension professionals in the Department of Plant Pathology support agents by providing consultations through email exchanges, phon
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Kentucky agriculture and natural resources and horticulture county Extension agents reported an increase in number of inquiries related to organic and sustainable home gardening. In 2015, two agent in-service workshops were conducted by Extension professionals in Departments of Plant Pathology, Horticulture, and Entomology. Workshops consisted of presentations and hands-on activities addressing management of diseases, insects, and weeds, as well as plant nutrition and composting. Twenty per
Author: Kathryn Wimberley
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
SITUATION: It is critical for a healthy and sustainable community to have contributing members of society with necessary life skills. Currently in McCracken County there is a need to learn and practice healthy habits, create and live within a budget and form positive relationships with others.Success StoryToolbox Series is a monthly class that is a source of free information on horticulture-related topics. The people of McCracken County are the target audience. Toolbox Series is offered the
Author: Bethany Wilson
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Pulaski County is a growing community. It is projected that by 2020 Pulaski County’s population will be 71,036 or 11% more than our current population. Many of these incoming residents will benefit from home horticulture programmingGardener’s Toolbox classes were held focusing on various home gardening topics. Fourteen Gardener’s Toolbox classes were scheduled and an additional 17 home horticulture classes and events were conducted throughout the year held in various part
Author: Levi Berg
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Even though Henry County is heavily steeped in animal production, forage production, and tobacco production, many Henry County residents devote many hours and care to their beloved backyard gardens, and each year, many residents contact the Henry County Extension Office for assistance with gardening questions. With this knowledge, the Henry County Extension Office and the Henry County Public Library joined together to produce a four part gardening series. All session were held at the Henry Count
Author: Adam Leonberger
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Crime, pollution, and storm water management continue to be major issues in urban areas across the country. A 2012 study in the journal Landscape and Urban Planning, Vol 106, Issue 3, found a 10 percent increase in urban tree canopy cover was strongly correlated with a 12% decrease of robbery, burglary, theft and shootings. In addition, the US Forest Service published a study in 2006 within the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, Vol 4, Issues 3–4 estimated that US urban trees rem
Author: Lorilee Kunze
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
As Bullitt County continues to urbanize there is a need for homeowner education in landscape design. To meet this need the Bullitt County Extension Horticulture Program created a four part Landscape Design Series. The four part program covered topics such as design principles, installation, plant materials and maintenance. Participants in the program reported gaining skills in landscape design and six months after the class 59% of the participants had executed or begun landscape design projects
Author: Faye Kuosman
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Monarch waystations are gardens that provide habitat for the monarch butterfly. Monarch Butterflies are considered a near-threatened species, so habitats like this are essential to their survival. In an effort to help offset the loss of these butterflies along with other pollinators, the Woodford County Cooperative Extension Service and the Woodford County Conservation District, in partnership with The Woodford County Extension Master Gardeners, sponsored 20 grants for Woodford County resi
Author: Deborah Stumbo
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
One of the undertakings of the Pike County ANR is providing services to the underprivileged and desperately needy. Manna From Heaven is a Food Bank that tries to provide for the needs of our most vulnerable. Extension was asked to provide some trainings that would allow these individuals to become more self sufficient. Extension has been able to provide training in Beginning Beekeeping, Pasture Poultry, High Tunnels, Low Tunnels, Winter Gardening, & Year Round Gardening. &n
Author: Samuel Cofield
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
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.2018 is the third year of the garden project started at the Trigg County Senior Citizens center. The project began with an idea and a trai
Author: Kimberly Leonberger
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Saving vegetable seeds from the previous season is common practice in Kentucky. However, these seeds can harbor numerous pathogens that are harmful to plants and limit grower success and yield. Kentucky county Extension agents have identified a need for stakeholder education on vegetable seed treatment, as a way to reduce seed-borne diseases. This need arose from a survey that indicated more than 70% of individuals were saving seed, but only 14% were treating seed prior to planting.In order to p
Author: Sarah Fannin
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Parts of Morgan County are designated as a “food desert” area by the USDA meaning that residents do not have adequate access to fresh vegetables due to distance, lack of land or income. As part of the Morgan County Extension Demonstration Farm, land was designated for use as a community garden to help remove these barriers. The garden is fenced, cultivated and supplied with water at no cost to participants. Priority is given to senior citizens, low income, different
Author: Emily Pfeufer
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Saving vegetable seeds from the previous season is common practice among gardeners and heirloom vegetable producers in Kentucky. However, these seeds can harbor numerous pathogens that are harmful to plants and limit grower success and yield. Kentucky county Extension agents have identified a need for stakeholder education on vegetable seed treatment, as a way to reduce seed-borne diseases. This need arose from a survey that indicated more than 70% of individuals were saving seed, but only 14% w
Author: Kristin Hildabrand
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) report in 2017 revealed that homes represent 25% of personal wealth. Well-landscaped homes are more valuable in society. The return on investment for landscape upgrades is 109%. The Warren County Extension Agent for Horticulture administered a new program called the annual flower garden trials in the spring of 2017. The purpose of this statewide Extension Horticulture effort was to determine the best performing species and cultivars of ann
Author: David Hull
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The addition of a Horticulture Assistant to the Gallatin County Extension staff has had a marked impact on horticulture programming in Gallatin County. It’s no stretch to say that the needs of the home gardener in Gallatin County are being met better than ever before.In evaluative surveys given to past program participants, it was asked what types of future programming would most benefit them. While many of the responses were very generic, some were quite specific.As a result, the Gallatin
