HorticulturePlan of Work

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Warren County CES

Title:
Horticulture
MAP:
Horticulture
Agents Involved:
Joanna Coles & Kristin Hildabrand
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Master Gardener
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Plant ID
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Pollinators
Situation:

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.

Long-Term Outcomes:

•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.

Intermediate Outcomes:

•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.

Initial Outcomes:

•Participants will learn the skills necessary to be successful in their particular horticulture endeavor.

Evaluation:

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


Learning Opportunities:

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 2021


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: 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






Success Stories

Virtual 2021 Specialty Crop Conference

Author: Kristin Hildabrand

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

In Warren County, the Cooperative Extension Service has noticed a rise and decline of vendors selling at local farmers markets. Area farmers markets are left with fewer vendors and limited produce variety at the market, once growers build up their customer base in order to sell off the farm.In December 2020, the Warren County Extension Service offered the Virtual 2020 Specialty Crop Conference to assist beginning and experienced growers explore other opportunities to help diversify their farming

Full Story

Horticulture Public Relations Efforts in Warren County

Author: Kristin Hildabrand

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

 In order to reach clientele with the various programs and resources offered through the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, the horticulture extension agent works diligently throughout the fiscal year to share research based information on multiple media outlets in Warren County. Here is a brief description explaining more about each marketing channel used and the successes noticed from each of them. Farm and Home Show TV is an educational, 5 minute show shares seaso

Full Story

Fall Monarch Waystation Garden Tours

Author: Kristin Hildabrand

Major Program: Pollinators

Native pollinators such as birds, moths, butterflies, honeybees, and other insects supplement more than $18 billion in revenue to 100 crops grown in the United States every year. Therefore, pollinators play a vital role in ensuring that Americans have an abundant food supply and a vibrant ecosystem. Sadly, native pollinator populations have steadily declined over the past few years due to loss of habitat and a number of other factors.  To assist with this issue, the Warren County Exten

Full Story

Virtual Commercial Cut Flower Short Courses- Structures & Integrated Pest Management Practices

Author: Kristin Hildabrand

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

In a survey conducted by the Kentucky Horticulture Council, commercial cut flower growers indicated that they would like to learn more on cultivating cut flowers in low and high tunnel structures as well as how to control insect and disease pests for specialty cut flower production. UK Cooperative Extension, Center for Crop Diversification, and the Kentucky Horticulture Council answered these needs by collaborating together to offer 2 commercial cut flower short courses to teach these identified

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Ladies in Agriculture Program

Author: Kristin Hildabrand

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Women make up nearly 40% of the agricultural producers in Kentucky. The number of ladies who own and operate farms and agribusinesses continues to increase each year. The importance of their contributions to a vibrant agricultural economy are tremendous. The Mammoth Cave Area ANR and HORT Agents teamed together to offer a 3 part hybrid evening series entitled “Ladies in Ag” in February 2022. This program was designed by agents to help educate, empower, inspire, and connect ladie

Full Story
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