Community and Consumer HorticulturePlan of Work

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Monroe County CES

Title:
Community and Consumer Horticulture
MAP:
Promoting Agricultural Sustainability
Agents Involved:
Kevin Lyons
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Master Gardener
Situation:

Situation: Even though Monroe County is basically a rural county, most of the residents do not live on a farm that provides a major part of the family’s income. There is renewed interest in producing our food locally. There is an interest in providing the Master Gardener program again in Monroe County. Since most residents don’t live on farms, the art of gardening has been lost by many. With one year completed of community gardens, there is great interest in expanding Monroe County’s Community Gardens; both in size and new locations.



Long-Term Outcomes:

Long-term Outcomes:

Families will become more sustainable by producing much of their own food

High tunnels will continue to grow and expand

Master Gardener participants will complete their volunteer hours improving the appearance of towns and the county

Master Gardener participants become resources for local citizens to use for horticultural advice.


Intermediate Outcomes:

Intermediate Outcomes:

Expand high tunnel production

Improve the appearance of downtown Tompkinsville

Provide programs for two Garden Clubs.

Home gardens will improve garden productivity

Initial Outcomes:

Initial Outcome:

Complete survey of Master Gardner participants

Home gardeners will gain knowledge improving garden production

Homeowners will learn ways to improve their home landscapes

Identify potential leaders for continuing Master Gardener success

Evaluation:

Evaluation:

Outcome: Enroll participants in Master Gardener class

Indicator: Number of participants enrolled

Method: Program evaluation

Timeline: 2018


Evaluation:

Outcome: Homeowners will be better able to produce their own food

Indicator: Number of participants in homeowner education classes

Method: Post-program survey

Timeline: 2017-2020


Evaluation:

Outcome: Master Gardener participants become certified

Indicator: Completing volunteer hours at end of classes

Method: Number of participants report successes

Timeline: 2017-2020


Evaluation:

Outcome: Expanded high tunnel program

Indicator: Program is expanded by adding additional garden beds and participants learn new garden techniques

Method: Number of garden beds and number of participants

Timeline: 2017-2020



Learning Opportunities:


Audience: Local citizens

Project or Activity: Community gardener classes

Content or Curriculum: UK garden and landscape publications

Inputs: Kevin Lyons; Andrea Stith; Brandon bell

Date: 2017-2020



Audience: Garden Club members

Project or Activity: Presentations on home beatification

Content or Curriculum: UK Publications

Inputs: Kevin Lyons

Date: 2018-2019



Audience: Master Gardener participants

Project or Activity: Master Gardener program

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Curriculum

Inputs: Kevin Lyons, Andrea Stith, Brandon Bell

Date: 2018




Success Stories

Bees and Honey

Author: Kevin Lyons

Major Program: Pollinators

Bees play a major role in the pollination of plants and crops, and are extremely important commercially for farming practices. It is estimated that about one-third of global food production requires animal pollination and that 80–90 percent of this role is carried out by honeybees. But bees are in trouble, and there is growing concern over their decline across the world. The UK Cooperative Extension Service is helping to address this problem.The Monroe Co. Ag & Natural Resources Agent

Full Story
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