Lyon County CES

Title:

Home and Master Gardener Horticulture Programs

MAP:

Home & Consumer Horticulture/Master Gardener

Agents Involved:

Susan Fox

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Master Gardener

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Home & Consumer Horticulture

Situation:

Demand for home horticulture information continues to increase for Extension offices. The Kentucky Extension Master Gardener Program develops trained volunteers to assist county Extension staff in meeting this need for research-based information and public outreach.

Long-Term Outcomes:

The public utilizes EMG vounteers as reliable sources for home horticulture information.

EMG volunteers extend the educational outreach of Lyon County Extension by demonstrating sustainable, science-based horticultural practices through educational programs and in community gardens, the farmers' market/vegetable gardens.

Intermediate Outcomes:

EMG maintain hours and educational requirements. Volunteers act as facilitators and presenters for classes, lectures or workshops. EMG volunteers practice effective skills when interacting with clientele. County residents look to extension and EMG volunteers as reliable sources for home horticulture information.

Initial Outcomes:

Volunteers continue to gain knowledge in many aspects of home horticulture. 

Horticulture program participants become more aware of Extension’s role in addressing the needs of local residents

Participants become Certified EMG volunteers when they complete the 40 hours in volunteer service to the Lyon County Cooperative Extension Office.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Extension and EMG seen as information source

Indicator: Youth participation in  4-H Mother's Day Flower Pots. Individual comments and questions about the demonstration garden.

Method: Number of youth making combination flower pots and learning about plants and their care. Comment slips and informational signage in the demonstration garden.

Timeline: May 2018 for 4-H MDFP. Spring through winter for the demonstration garden.

Intermediate Outcome: Master Gardener volunteers working with the demonstration garden.

Indicator:  EMG volunteer hours.

Method: Master Gardener  hours reported and evaluations of programs. Practices demonstrated and trialed at the LCMGA demonstration garden including grafted and ungrafted tomatoes, more flavorful cantaloupe varieties and the ongoing blueberry demonstration garden, straw bale gardening, and pruning of fruit trees and blueberry plants.

Timeline: 2018

Intermediate Outcome: Master Gardener volunteers offering educational programs.

Indicator:  EMG volunteer hours and educational programs offered. Participants in the programs offered.

Method: Christmas Wreath Event - participants learn about plants in the landscape.

Timeline: December, 2017 for wreath event. 

Long-term Outcome: Use of research-based information by EMG and clientele.

Indicator: Practices adopted/implemented at home.

Method: Reports from discussions with EMG and clientele on grafted tomatoes, more flavorful cantaloupe varieties.

Timeline: Summer and Fall 2017 and Spring of 2018

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Clientele

Project or Activity: Spring flower pots

Content or Curriculum: UK publications, researched materials, agent Powerpoint.

Inputs: UK materials, specialists, agent.

Date: September 2017

Audience: Master Gardeners, Clientele

Project or Activity: LCMGA Demonstration Garden

Content or Curriculum: Plantings and signage, annual flower trial garden.

Inputs: LCMGA, agent, signage, news articles. Grafted tomatoes, cantaloupe varieties, blueberry trial garden, annual flowers.

Date: 2017-2018

Success Stories