Lincoln County CES

Title:

Commercial and Home Horticulture

MAP:

Horticulture

Agents Involved:

Courtney Brock, Will Stallard

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Commercial Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Home & Consumer Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Natural Resources 4-H Core Curriculum

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

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, 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