HorticulturePlan of Work

Back to Plans for the County

Carter County CES

Title:
Horticulture
MAP:
Horticulture
Agents Involved:
Rebecca Konopka
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Small Farm Diversification
Situation:

In 2018 the National Gardening Survey indicated that 77% of American households garden in some way. Other estimates reveal that consumer horticulture and supporting industries contribute nearly $200 billion to the US economy each year and support over 2 million jobs. Recent trends indicate that more and more Americans are growing their own food (35% of households) while interests in ornamentals remains high, particularly in gardening to support pollinators and other ecological uses of plants. American gardens will continue to look to Cooperative Extension for specific answers to their gardening questions.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Increase access and variety of fresh local produce

Reduce plant loss in landscaping

Minimize environmental impact by following recommended use of pesticides, herbicides, and/or fertilizers

Added value or reduced expenses with landscaping

Improve physical, social and/or mental health

Intermediate Outcomes:

Use Extension diagnostic services

Be active in gardening

Diversify plant varieties

Add native plants to landscaping

Use Integrated Pest Management practices

Adopt best practices in water quality and/or soil health

Handle chemicals safely

Initial Outcomes:

Increase their knowledge of horticulture and best practices in soil health, water conservation, and chemical use

Recognize the value of diagnostic testing

Match plants to appropriate planting location

Understand the value of native plants

Discuss pollinator protection

Locate Extension horticulture resources

Observe horticulture and food preparation demonstrations

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:  Clientele will learn basic gardening techniques

Indicator:  Produce grown

Method:Social media, Phone calls, News Articles, Meetings, Farm & Office Visits

Timeline:  Ongoing


Intermediate Outcome:  Clientele use diagnostic services

Indicator: Soil Tests, Plant Samples

Method:  Social media, Phone calls, News Articles, Meetings, Farm & Office Visits

Timeline:  Ongoing


Long-term Outcome:  More producers participate in Farmer's Market

Indicator:  Increase in vendors

Method:Farmer's Market Meetings & Training's

Timeline:  Ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:  Farmer's Market Vendors

Project or Activity:  Meetings

Content or Curriculum:  UK Publications

Inputs:  KDA

Date:  April-October


Audience:  Landowners

Project or Activity:  Newsletters, Farm Visits, Social Media, Field Days, Meetings

Content or Curriculum:  UK Publications

Inputs:UK Specialists, Agents

Date:  Ongoing





Success Stories

Little Sandy Beekeepers Continue Programming through Pandemic

Author: Rebecca Konopka

Major Program: Beekeeping

The Little Sandy Beekeepers Association meet bimonthly to share ideas and learn tips and techniques to improve their operations.    The Association has continued to meet via zoom throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.    The Carter County ANR Agent has secured speakers including UK Extension specialists and organized the zoom calls.    Topics have included plants for bees, preparing hives for fall and winter, resources available through SOAR, and an update from the KY St

Full Story

Ready, Set, Grow: The Seed Series

Author: Rebecca Konopka

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

           The pandemic gave people more time at home to focus on gardening and forced Extension Agents to turn to virtual programming.  As a result of this the Carter County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources created Ready, Set, Grow: The Seed Series.   Videos about various garden topics were posted on Facebook and YouTube.    After watching the video, participants could request free seed packets that had been donated to the

Full Story

Gardening Program

Author: Rebecca Hayes

Major Program: Agriculture

The six session gardening program was geared toward youth to learn about gardening, how to read gardening labels and tools, as well learning to make flower arrangements, the benefits of indoor plants and use what they grew from their garden in recipes. All youth learned how to take a seed and grow it into a product. They successfully grew flowers and made floral arrangements from them as well as grow tomatoes, jalapenos, and peppers to make salsa. At every session, youth learned about a healthy

Full Story
Back to Plans for the County