Extension
It Starts With Us
Diversification and Alternatives
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Rob Amburgey
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Commercial Horticulture
Farmer's Markets
County farmers continue to search for non-traditional sources of farm income and home owners have developed a renewed interest in home gardening. The Bath County Agricultural Education and Marketing Center offers facilities for value-added processing, retail and wholesale sales for both direct and processed products. The Bath County Extension Agriculture Advisory Council has directed that Extension Programs be focused around the Center and the opportunities it has to offer as well as promoting home grown produce.
New markets and opportunities will strengthen Bath County’s agricultural economy and Homeowners will produce more of the food they eat.
Acceptance of new marketing opportunities and production information.
Improved Farmers Market, Growth of Wholesale Produce Auction, Increase number of home gardens, Expanded Business Opportunities, Expanded citizen knowledge base of alternatives.
Initial Outcome:Producers explore new alternatives
Indicator:producer office visits and consultations related to new crops and ventures
Method:one on one consultation, production meetings
Timeline:throughout the year
Intermediate Outcome: Increase commercial and home garden production & utilization
Indicator: Increase educational level and number of gardens planted.
Method: Educational meetings, Mass Media, & Demonstrations.
Timeline: January - December - Educational Meetings
Long-term Outcome: Strengthened markets for non-traditional crops
Indicator: Increased sales and production of non-traditional crops
Method: Sales Receipts and New Enterprises
Timeline: Throughout the 4-year Plan of Work period.
Audience: Farmers Market and Produce Auction
Project or Activity: Planning Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Market improvement and new opportunities
Inputs: UK, Vendors, boards, Auction Manager, UK specialists
Date: February, March
Audience: Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Growers
Project or Activity: Regional Produce Growers Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Production and Market Updates
Inputs: UK, Vendors, boards, Auction Manager, UK specialists
Date: December
Audience:Public
Project or Activity: Outdoor grilling and food safety workshop with SNAP input
Content or Curriculum: Food handling, meat selection, seasoning, SNAP
Inputs: UK specialists, SNAP
Date: summer 2017
Author: Robert Amburgey
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Extension offices in District 1 held 2 field days related to apple production for both homeowner and commercial producers. The field days utilized University of Kentucky specialists and agents to introduce participants to various aspects of apple production. Topics covered in the spring field day included a hands on tree grafting workshop, wildlife control options in the orchard and early season disease control. The fall field day provided hands on learning activities related t
