Commercial and Home HorticulturePlan of Work

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Lincoln County CES

Title:
Commercial and Home Horticulture
MAP:
Agriculture Profitabililty
Agents Involved:
Courtney Brock, Rita Stewart
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Commercial Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
4-H Health Core Curriculum
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
4-H Volunteer Programming
Situation:

Farmers need to evaluate non-traditional farming enterprises to determine if they can fit into their operations, but most important to see if there is good profit potential. The Lincoln County Produce Auction provides a good marketing tool for farmers. The market continues to grow with increased sellers and buyers. The Lincoln County Farmers Market continues to provide a good market for farmers and gardeners. The new Farmers Market Building is bringing in more growers and consumers. There is good demand for educational assistance and diagnostic services from Extension by the general public. Extension offers help to the public with soil testing, disease identification and control recommendations, insect and weed identification and control, as well as providing general production and management information on gardening and lawn care. 4-H Youth Development Programs also aim to increase youth interest and knowledge of the natural resources available to them.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Farmers will improve their horticultural production and marketing thus improving the profitability of horticultural enterprises. Homeowners, agribusiness, government reps, and youth will utilize Extension programs to maintain and enhance their gardens and landscape.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Farmers will adopt Extension recommendations; and utilizes best management practices enhancing production, marketing and profitability. General public and youth will use Extension recommendations to improve their landscape and gardens and gain a better appreciation of the natural environment.

Initial Outcomes:

Farmers and youth will increase their horticultural production and marketing knowledge. General public will put Extension recommendations to work in their gardens, landscape and home.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Farmers improve profitability as evidenced by adoption of improve practices. General public and youthusing Extension services and educational programs.

Indicator:

Method: Observations and statistics

Timeline: All year


Intermediate Outcome: Farmers and youth will adopt Extension recommendations for production and marketing.

Indicator: Producers and general public implement improved management practices.

Method: Observations, statistics on Extension useage.

Timeline: all year


Long-term Outcome: Farmers and youth will increase knowledge of improved management practices for horticultural production. General public will utilize home and horticultural services provided by Extension.

Indicator: Producers and public utilizing recommended practices.

Method: Observations, usage statistics

Timeline: all year

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers and agribusiness

Project or Activity: Produce Growers Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Small fruits and vegetable presentations by U.K. Specialists and agent.

Inputs: Financial resources from Extension and Lincoln County Produce Auction Association. Educational materials and programs from Extension professionals.

Date: January and February


Audience: Farmers and agribusiness

Project or Activity: Test plots, demos and field visits

Content or Curriculum: U.K. specialists, the agent and auction leaders doing test plots, field walks and demos on horticultural crops.

Inputs: Educational, service and financial assistance from Extension and Produce Auction Board

Date: Seasonal


Audience: Farmers and Consumers

Project or Activity: Farmers Market Activities

Content or Curriculum: Production and marketing help to growers and awareness of quality of locally grown produce to consumers.

Inputs: Educational, service and financial assistance from Extension and Farmers Market Board

Date:


Audience: General Public

Activity: Diagnostic & Informational Services

Content: Extension assistance with identification and control recommendations for insects, disease, pests, weeds and etc. as well as production information on lawn care, home care, landscaping, gardening, etc.

Inputs: Extension service and informational assistance.


Audience: Youth

Activity: Butterfly Garden and Monarch Waystation

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, physical therapy offices, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, hospitals.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, garden plot in downtown Stanford, garden plot at Crab Orchard Elementary, and Lincoln County schools.

Date: Spring - Summer


Audience: Youth

Activity: 4-H and BG GreenSource Environmental Day

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum and BG GreenSource Resources

Inputs: Lincoln County Cattleman’s Association, livestock leaders, volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, physical therapy offices, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, hospitals.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, Logan-Hubble Park

Date: Spring


Audience: Youth

Activity: 4-H Outdoor Adventure Club

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Curriculum

Inputs: Volunteer leaders, local schools, Lincoln County Fair Board, Vo-Ag Program, Farm Bureau, Early Childhood and Head Start Programs, physical therapy offices, Family Resource Centers, Youth Service Center, local businesses, hospitals.

Facilities used will include the Lincoln County Extension Office, local hiking spots, Canoe KY, etc.

Date: Spring - Summer



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