Simpson County CES

Title:

Horticulture

MAP:

Horticulture

Agents Involved:

Jason Phillips, Christy Ramey

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Commercial Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Farmer's Markets

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Home & Consumer Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Master Gardener

Situation:

Situation: Consumers have grown increasingly cognoscente of food safety and improving overall health while demanding fresh, quality food products. These factors have fueled the local food movement across Kentucky and in Simpson County. Producers require more programming opportunities to continue to supply this need and improve upon their products and profitability. Additionally, home production has increased to meet food needs for local families.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Long-term Outcomes: Consumers will improve their health and add stability to the local economy by purchasing locally grown food products which will increase producer profits. Homeowners will save money and improve health by improving horticultural production practices.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Intermediate Outcomes: Producers will improve practices and adopt new technology to increase the overall efficiency of the production process for various local horticultural products. Commercial producers will put into practice strategic marketing plans to help promote local products which will continue to increase the demand among consumers for farm fresh foods.

Initial Outcomes:

Initial Outcome: Producers will increase their knowledge in vegetable, small and tree fruit, local meat production, and non-food horticultural products. They will be better prepared to take, follow, and implement UK soil test fertility management recommendations, understand integrated pest management techniques, select disease resistant and higher yielding varieties, make timely plantings and pesticide applications, utilize sustainable management practices, research new technologies and alternative production techniques, improve marketing strategies, and understand how to implement the best overall production system for their specific farming operation. Individuals will increase their knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety and food resource management.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Commercial horticultural producers will increase knowledge and develop plans, execute plans, and increase profitability. Homeowners will improve practices, health and increase savings.

Indicator: The number of producers indicating knowledge, practice, and increased profitability.

Method: Post-meeting evaluations

Timeline: Evaluations will be given immediately following programs and one to twenty for months after programs.

Learning Opportunities:

Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):

Audience: Franklin-Simpson Farmers’ Market Vendors

Project or Activity: Franklin-Simpson Farmers’ Market

Content or Curriculum: production and marketing education, F-S Farmers’ Market promotional events, food safety education

Inputs: Agents’ time, paid staff, meeting facility, UK publications, KDA resources, newsletters, radio programs

Date: 2018-2019

Audience: Community Garden Participants and Coordinators

Project or Activity: Community Garden Projects and Demonstrations

Content or Curriculum: food production education, nutrition, demonstrations

Inputs: Agent’s time, UK publications, Master Gardener Volunteers, SNAP-Ed Assistant

Date: July, August, September 2018; April, May June 2019

Audience: Small and Mid-sized fruit producers and homeowners

Project or Activity: Fruit tree workshop

Content or Curriculum: pruning and production

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, UK specialists, UK publications, newsletters, radio programs

Date: March 2019

Audience: Commercial Food Producers

Project or Activity: Commercial Food Production Educational Programs

Content or Curriculum: fertility, marketing, high tunnels, production methods, integrated pest management

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, meeting facilities, UK specialists, newsletters, radio programs

Date: July 2018-June 2019

Success Stories