Extension
It Starts With Us
Commercial and Homeowner Horticulture Education
Enhancing Commercial & Consumer Hort. Advancement
Kara Back, Amanda Sublett
Local Food Systems
Master Gardener
Commercial Horticulture
Farmer's Markets
Homeowners are wanting to have a more sustainable lifestyle by raising their own fruits and vegetables and caring for their landscape. There is also an increase in commercial horticulture to sell in produce auctions, and an increased interest in local food systems. Under the direction of the Extension Council and Farmers' Market, educational programs are needed to enhance these interests.
Improve food management skills and healthy eating habits through raising own foods, while commercial producers are sustaining profitability.
Help commercial growers reach profit sustainability, by providing educational opportunities to implement within their operations.
Having a sustainable Farmers' Market.
Residents within the county will have the opportunity to participate in the Master Gardener's Program to gain education, which can be used to improve not only their own home / farm, but also the community through educational projects.
Homeowners will implement best management practices to ensure a bountiful harvest.
Citizens have access to more local foods.
More households will plant, harvest, and preserve produce.
Commercial producers adopt recommended practices that lead to more profitability.
Increase number of patrons at Farmers' Markets.
Homeowners are motivated to improve landscapes.
Residents will be able to participate in projects within the Master Gardener's Program. They will gain knowledge in botany, disease, entomology, soil composition, etc., which they can use to educate others.
Understand the importance of sustainable local agriculture to their health and financial well-being.
Homeowners learn about different varieties and best management practices of fruit and vegetables.
Commercial growers learn about best management practices, new methods, and new technologies.
Residents will be able to participate in projects within the Master Gardener's Program will gain knowledge in botany, disease, entomology, soil composition, etc
Initial Outcome: Individuals, homeowners, and commercial growers will gain knowledge about horticulture's role in their daily lives and economic endeavors.
Indicator: Number of individuals who report changes in knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations.
Method: Post-test
Timeline:End of program series.
Intermediate Outcome: Individuals, homeowners, and commercial growers will implement gained knowledge within their lifestyles, and economic endeavors.
Indicator: Number of people who implement at least one practice which was taught during any of the horticulture classes / series.
Method: Follow up survey / interviews.
Timeline: Annually.
Long-term Outcome: Individuals, homeowners, and commercial growers will enjoy a healthier lifestyle, and sustainable profitability through education provided by UK Extension.
Indicator: Individuals enjoy a healthier & more self-sufficient lifestyle, while commercial growers will gain a more sustaining profit.
Method: Pre and post evaluation in addition to monitoring of health statistics & social economic indicators within Taylor County.
Timeline: Beginning and end of program.
Audience: Commercial Vegetable Producers
Project or Activity: Class Series: Alternative bio control methods for vegetable and ornamental commercial production.
Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, UK Publications from: http://www.uky.edu/hort/documents-list-commercial-vegetable
Inputs: UK Specialists & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent
Date: November 2018
Audience: Small-Scale Commercial Fruit Tree Producers
Project or Activity: Class Series: Tree Selection for Kentucky
Content or Curriculum: Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide, UK Publications from: http://www.uky.edu/hort/document-list-home-fruit, & http://www.uky.edu/hort/documents-list-commercial-fruit-nut
Inputs: UK Specialists & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent
Date: January 2019
Audience: Residents of Taylor and surrounding counties
Project or Activity: Master Gardener Program
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Program Manual
Inputs: UK Specialists, Additional Horticulture Agents, & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent
Date: September 2018
Audience: Residents of Taylor and surrounding counties
Project or Activity: Fall Lawn Care Class
Content or Curriculum: Resources and publications from: http://www.uky.edu/Ag/ukturf/lawns.html
Inputs: UK Specialists & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent
Date: August 2018
Audience: Adults & Children Living within Campbellsville Housing
Project or Activity: Campbellsville Housing Horticulture Program
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky, & The Master Gardener's Handbook
Inputs: Campbellsville Housing Event Coordinator & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent
Date: July 2018 - June 2019 - Adult & Children Classes 3rd Monday & 3rd Wednesday of every month
Audience: Residents of Taylor & Surrounding Counties
Project or Activity: Floral Design and Wreath Class
Content or Curriculum: The AIFD Guide to Floral Design
Inputs: Florists & Taylor County Horticulture Agent
Date: November 2018, December 2018, & April 2019
Audience: Residents of Taylor & Surrounding Counties
Project or Activity: Farmers' Market Health Fair
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky & SNAP-ED Resources
Inputs: Taylor County Health Department, Farmers' Market Association, Inc. of Taylor County, and the Taylor Co. Cooperative Extension Office Agents.
Date: July 2018
Audience: 9 - 18 year old youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Horticulture Judging Contest
Content or Curriculum: NJHA Material, 4-H horticulture curriculum
Inputs: Local nurseries, grocery stores, producers, forestry specialists, & Taylor Co. Horticulture and 4-H Agent
Date: June - August 2018, 2019, 2020
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Master Gardener
Taylor County had its first Master Gardeners' class on the 6th of September. The Master Gardeners' Program was one of the reasons a horticulture agent was hired for Taylor County. Upon arrival, the agent was asked numerous times when the program would be held. During the month before the agent's second year, the first two classes of the program were held. The importance of the program is the heart of extension's mission; teaching individuals to be teachers / leaders within t
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The second annual Horticulture Day Camp was held this past summer for 4-Hers. This camp not only gives kids an opportunity to participate in fun summer activities, but it also is a fun educational opportunity as well. The 4-H kids learned about various horticulture topics such as plant propagation, pollinators, and how the care of different types of plants can be unique, for example succulents in relation to a willow tree. The 4-Hers also prepared the
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
The Taylor County Extension Office partnered with two local producers to provide agriculture education to the residents of Taylor County. The primary focus of this years Family Farm Field day was agriculture safety, along with showcasing the producers' operations. This was chosen as the theme, because everyday about 100 agriculture workers suffer a lost-work-time injury, and in 2016, 417 fatalities occurred according to the CDC. Extension agents, local first responders, RECC, the MS4 Co
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
One of the challenges of the Master Gardeners' program is finding volunteer opportunities to fulfill the required hours needed to be certified, or continue to be certified. This however, has not been the case with the Taylor County Master Gardeners. Long before the Master Gardeners' program began, Clay Hill Memorial Forest reached out to the extension office for help with their educational facility, which is owned by Campbellsville University. They were desiring to have a pollinator gard
