Extension
It Starts With Us
Horticulture
Horticulture
Joanna Coles & Kristin Hildabrand
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Master Gardener
Plant ID
Pollinators
Out of 131 million homes in the US, 100 million of them have a yard or garden. (Solutions, 2010). Demand for home horticulture information continues to increase for Kentucky county Extension offices. The Kentucky Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Program develops trained volunteers to assist county Extension staff in meeting this need for research-based information and public outreach. As the popularity of do-it-yourself projects rises among homeowners the demand for education for these new, transplanted or experienced gardeners continues to increase. The population of Kentucky continues to migrate to urban areas thus increasing impervious surface and subsequent runoff and impairments to water quality. EPA has imposed regulations on 104 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer (MS4) permitted communities with populations of 10,000 or more to educate and involve the public in their permit plans. Increased consumer awareness, general/beginning horticulture education, and increased participation in horticulture were selected as primary issues by the Horticulture Advisory Council and the Warren County Extension Council.
Producers in Warren County continue to explore new options to diversify farming operations since the decline of tobacco production. Producers of horticultural crops must continue to meet the increasing demands of consumers which include fresh, locally produced foods with an emphasis on sustainable practices. Education in production and marketing will be a key component for producers to be successful in these markets. The Warren County Extension Council and Commercial Horticulture Advisory Council were involved in collecting data and prioritizing key areas of concentration.
•Producers will increase profitability while they investigate new crops, production practices, and marketing avenues.
•More individuals will grow their own fruits and vegetables saving money of their grocery bills.
•Individuals will utilize sound environmental practices and trained volunteers will economically impact Warren County.
•Consumers and producers will adopt extension recommendation, by developing self-supported gardens; make proactive changes in their environmental practices.
•Extension Master Gardener volunteers have positive perceptions of their role as reliable sources for home horticulture information.
•Participants will learn the skills necessary to be successful in their particular horticulture endeavor.
Initial Outcome: Knowledge gained in the area of Horticulture
Indicator: Individuals state that they gain knowledge and aspire to implement the practice
Method: Post education evaluation
Timeline: Throughout the year
Intermediate Outcome: Individuals implement practices learned during educational activities
Indicator: Number or practices implemented
Method: Follow up survey
Timeline: 6-8 weeks following program
Long-term Outcome: Consumer and Commercial Horticulturalist
Indicator: Participants who adopt recommended practices or see a positive economic impact
Method: Word of mouth, observation, follow up surveys
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Professional in commercial and home horticulture
Project or Activity: Horticulture Website & Facebook
Content or Curriculum: Up-to-date information for producers
Inputs: Promotional materials, visual aids
Date: Ongoing throughout the year
Audience: Homeowners
Project or Activity: Extension Master Gardener Program
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky Extension Master Gardener curriculum
Inputs: Conference room, paper material, time
Date: Throughout the year Fall 2020
Audience: Home Gardeners
Project or Activity: Special Interest Horticulture
Content or Curriculum: Home Gardening
Inputs: Crafts, Flowers, material
Date: Throughout the year
Audience: Home Gardeners
Project or Activity: Conservation Horticulture
Content or Curriculum: Home Gardening, Environmental Resources
Inputs: Barrels, hands on demonstrations
Date: Throughout the year
Audience: Homeowners
Project or Activity: Lawn Management
Content or Curriculum: Sustainable practices, Seeding, Lawn Maintenance and Care
Inputs: Meeting space, time, mail outs, speakers
Date: Winter 2020
Audience: Homeowners
Project or Activity: Backyard Gardening
Content or Curriculum: Sustainable practices for vegetables and fruit in the home lawn
Inputs: Meeting space, time, mail outs, speakers, handouts
Date: Throughout the Year
Author: Kristin Hildabrand
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Warren County Extension Office observed that new growers selling their products at the farmers market would slowly build up their customer base and then leave in order to sell their goods off the farm. While this is good for farmers, area farmers markets are left with fewer vendors and limited produce variety at the market. In response to this situation, the Warren County Extension Office worked together with the SOKY Marketplace where they applied for and were awarded a Specialty Crop grant
Author: Kristin Hildabrand
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
After receiving several inquiries related to home lawn care from Warren County residents, the horticulture agent developed the Home Lawn Improvement Guidebook to help homeowners better understand the process for improving the appearance of their Kentucky lawns. This home lawn improvement guidebook was also intended to guide residents on the best time to carry out specific lawn care practices and the steps to help them achieve successful results. The horticulture agent designed the guidebook
