Campbell County CES

Title:

Home Horticulture - Lakeside Commons Educational Gardens

MAP:

Home Horticulture - Lakeside Commons Educational Gardens

Agents Involved:

Stolz, Turner, Vaughn

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Health Leadership Program

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Home & Consumer Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Master Gardener

Situation:

The Lakeside Commons Educational Gardens provide an educational and research resource for gardeners of all ages and experiences with up-to-date techniques and
varieties. This hands on garden demonstrates to our community sustainable approaches that we can implement in our landscape decisions. Campbell County is centrally located within a population of approximately 90,000. 85% of the county is considered urban. Research has shown that pesticide runoff and pollution is as much or more a residential problem that agricultural. Yard waste accounts for 46% of what goes into landfills. The agent and technicians need to remain up-to-date in the latest horticulture research and practices to better provide residents with research-based recommendations for successful growing of turf, fruits, vegetables and landscape plants.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Continue to be recognized for the demonstration of new production methods as well as proven releases of varieties and plants. Implementation of a marketing plan to coincide with the new parking lot increasing visitors by 35%. Construct a kiosk to disseminate information as well as measure the number of visitors to the gardens.

Intermediate Outcomes:

The addition of three new demonstration beds as well as the teaching of 15 new
hands-on horticulture classes.

Initial Outcomes:

Increase the number of visitors as well as events in the gardens. Form a marketing committee to develop a plan for marketing the Lakeside Commons Educational Gardens for the next 5 years. Construction of a new garden storage facility. Improve and expand current irrigation system.

Evaluation:

Long-Term Outcome: Install garden kiosk to disseminate seasonal garden information.
Indicator: Increase in foot traffic in gardens and contacts from visitors
Method: survey, face-to-face conversation
Timeline: April 2018

Intermediate Outcome: Demonstration beds installed.
Indicator: Increase in people seeking information on new plants and growing methods.
Method: Personal conversations, educational classes
Timeline: ongoing

Initial Outcome: Increase in knowledge and use of environmental BMP gardening practices

Indicator: Participants utilizing environmental & BMP gardening practices
Method: survey, written evaluations
Timeline: ongoing 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Gardening enthusiasts Project or Activity: demonstration and hands-on programs Content or Curriculum: Proven Techniques Inputs: Horticulture Agent, Horticulture Technicians, MG volunteers Date: July 2017-June 2018 Audience: General Public Project or Activity: sustainable landscape Content or Curriculum: Rain garden, rain barrel, BMP’s for home landscape and   lawn Inputs: Horticulture Agent, Horticulture Technicians, UK Specialists Date: July 2017-June 2018

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