Horticulture Production PracticesPlan of Work

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Bourbon County CES

Title:
Horticulture Production Practices
MAP:
Horticulture Production and Marketing
Agents Involved:
Tackett, Slusher
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy
Situation:

Numerous local and national surveys and  studies have shown that the demand for locally produced food continues to grow.  Some studies conducted in population centers located close to Bourbon County indicate that local fruit and vegetable production does not even meet current consumer demand.  Local producers need to continually evaluate their operations and production practices in order to efficiently meet the current and future demand for food products. Through direct observation on numerous local  production site visits it has been observed that new and experienced producers could easily expand their existing production capacity by adopting more advanced horticulture production practices (pulse irrigation, fertigation, high tunnel season extension, etc.)  Extension has resources to educate horticulture producers in production, value added opportunities, business planning, and marketing strategies to expand production  for the demand.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Increase in the production of local horticulture products through the use of advanced production practices


Producer sales and/or profits at farmer’s markets, road side stands, and/or community supported agriculture increase.


Maintain or increase economic stability of farm operations.

Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Number of producers reporting increase in awareness of issues noted in 'short term outcomes'

Indicator:

number of producers reporting: growing variety of produce based on market demand,  reviewing/attending programs on extending growing seasons, fertigation, plasticulture, etc.

Method:

end of meeting evaluations, follow up online evaluations, site visits

Timeline:

2021-24


Intermediate Outcome:

number of commercial producers reporting practice changes made in the areas outlined in 'medium term outcomes'

Indicator:

number of producers who: increse usage of plasticulture, drip irrigation, fertigation, season extension structures, advanced production practices

Method: pre/post meting evaluations, 3 month follow up online surveys

Timeline:

2021-24


Long-term Outcome:


Indicator: total increase in production through use of advanced production practices

Method: pre/post meeting evaluations, 6 month meeting follow up surveys, site visits,

Timeline: 2017-2020

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:

Commercial Producers

Project or Activity:

tomato trellising field demonstrations

Content or Curriculum:

Extension 'Florida Weave' trellising publication

Inputs: stakes, twine, etc.

Date: Spring 2021


Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity: alternative hort crop mtgs

Content or Curriculum: UK Center for Crop Diversification information

Inputs: Local office resources, UK specialists/research materials

Date: Winter 2021


Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity:

season extension techniques

Content or Curriculum:

UK publications

Inputs: Agents time, local Extension Office resources, Specialists/research publications

Date: Spring 2022


Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity:

 drip irrigation demonstration

Content or Curriculum:

UK publications

Inputs: drip irrigation supplies

Date: spring 2021


Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity:

 insect and disease spray demos

Content or Curriculum:

UK publications/Other Extension publications

Inputs: small scale power spray equipment

Date: spring-summer 2022


Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity:

general vegetable productions meeting(s)

Content or Curriculum: UK production publications, Center for Crop Diversification crop profiles

Inputs: Agent time, specialists

Date: Ongoing 2021-24


Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity:

 high tunnel production demo

Content or Curriculum:

UK publications

Inputs: irrigation/plant material supplies

Date: fall/winter/spring 2023



Success Stories

Everyday Gardener Webinar series

Author: Anthony Tackett

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In an effort to adapt to changes in program delivery brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Horticulture Agents in 6 counties of District Four (Central Kentucky) collaborated to offer the Everyday Gardener Webinar Series. This 6 week series taught by agents provided educational classes related to horticulture. Over 100 participants registered and attended the classes.Those completing the evaluation survey expressed appreciation of the:wide variety of programs offered, including entomology,

Full Story

Direct to Consumer and Producer Consultation and Education

Author: Anthony Tackett

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

The Bourbon County Extension Service serves local communities through a wide variety of outreach activities.  We have faced special challenges during the past year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.  Despite these incredible challenges the Bourbon Extension Office has never been closed and we have continued our work in new and innovative ways to help keep everyone safe.  Outreach efforts continued but, in some cases, looked different this year.   Direct educational field o

Full Story

Horticulture Webinar Series

Author: Anthony Tackett

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In an effort to adapt to changes in program delivery brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Horticulture Agents in 4 counties in Central 4 and Central 2 areas (Bourbon, Franklin, Harrison, and Woodford) collaborated to offer Horticulture Webinar Series. This 6 month series hosted by agents provided educational classes related to horticulture. 529 participants attended the 18 webinars. The use of webinars and other technologies has further increased our reach through sharing recordings throu

Full Story
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