Bullitt County CES

Title:

Home & Consumer Horticulture

MAP:

Home & Consumer Horticulture/Master Gardener

Agents Involved:

Lorilee George

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Home & Consumer Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Urban Environments (water issues)

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Commercial Horticulture

Situation:

Bullitt County is a rapidly urbanizing county with diminishing traditional agriculture. As we move away from tobacco dependence, producers need alternative income/projects. Close to I65 and major urban areas (Louisville, Nashville, Indianapolis), Bullitt County is well situated to take advantage of tourism opportunities. This continual rapid increase in the suburban population in Bullitt County is resulting in a steady decrease in the agricultural utilization of its land. As a result, education and information in the fields of home horticulture and urban gardening is severely lacking in suburban areas. This program will serve to provide home owners with a good resource for improvements in gardening functionality and productivity. It will also provide information on gardening as a healthy leisure time exercise, especially for individuals 55 years and older that may have physical and psychological considerations.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Assist in developing sustainable & thriving Ag Businesses.
Increased wine sales at local wineries.
Home owners will use practical gardening and maintenance tips by learning a more efficient way to maintain and improve their properties, home owners will save time, money and resources.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Increase business for local Ag businesses.
Provide additional income for producers and provide pollinators.
Participants will purchase wines based on knowledge gained.
Participants will start soil testing before planting/fertilization
Participants will construct more efficient and functional landscapes.
Participation in gardening for those with physical limitations
Participants reduce stress through gardening
Increase social activities for participants through gardening and Extension.

Initial Outcomes:

Increase the number of producers that are aware of opportunities in Ag Tourism.
Increase producers' knowledge of beekeeping.
Increase knowledge of good agricultural practices.
Increase awareness of Ag Tourism both inside & outside of Bullitt County
Increase awareness of heritage of farming in the county
Participants gain knowledge of the importance of soil testing.
Participants will improve their current skills and gain knowledge in many aspects of home horticulture.
Participants will continue to enjoy gardening after physical limitations prevent traditional gardening methods.
Participants reduce stress through gardening

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increase knowledge and appreciation of agri-tourism by participants
Indicator: Survey of participants
Method: Oral
Timeline: December

Intermediate Outcome: Participants gain knowledge of how to plant more functional and efficient landscapes and gardens
Indicator: Pre/post survey
Method: Written
Timeline: Monthly

Initial Outcome: Participants gain knowledge about identifying insects
Indicator: Pre/Post Test
Method: Written
Timeline: Monthly

Initial Outcome: Participants gain knowledge about proper soil testing and fertilization
Indicator: Pre/Post Test
Method: Written
Timeline: October

Intermediate Outcome: Participants follow through with soil test and amend soil properly
Indicator: Soil test submission and follow up phone call
Method: Written and oral
Timeline: Spring 2016

Long Term Outcome: Participants continues to monitor soil health and use integrated methods to improve soil health
Indicator: Repeated soil testing and follow up
Method: Written and oral
Timeline: On Going

Intermediate Outcome: Participants will be able to select tree varieties for home plantings. They will gain better fruit tree management skills.
Indicator: Tree plantings and health of est. trees
Method: Observed and verbal
Timeline: Yearly

Long Term Outcome: Participants adopt skills to improve their lives.
Indicator: Data received from participants and leaders
Method: Written evaluations and leader feedback
Timeline: July-June

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Wine Tasting

Content: Materials prepared by master winemakers

Inputs: Local business owners

Date: December (LG)

Audience: Bullitt County Detention Center Substance Abuse Program Inmates

Activity: Gardening Skills Class and Jail Garden Program

Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs

Inputs: Ag & Hort. expertise, Master Gardeners, KY Dept. of Forestry Publications, U of K Publications

Date: Twice Monthly (LG)

Audience: General Public

Activity: Gardening Season Series

Content: Ball Horticultural publications, U of K pubs

Inputs: Various plants and demonstrative materials

Date: Jan, Mar, May, August, October (LG)

Audience: Producers, Homeowners

Activity: Fruit Production Series

Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs, local expert

Inputs: U of K Publications, grafting equipment, rootstock

Date: April, June (LG)

Audience: Homeowners

Activity: Gardeners’ Tool Box Series

Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs

Inputs: KY Dept. of Forestry Publications, U of K Publications

Date: Feb, April, June, Aug, Oct (LG)

Audience: Homeowners

Activity: Biodiversity Series

Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs

Inputs: KY Dept. of Forestry Publications

Date: Mar, May, July, Sept(LG)

Success Stories