Home and Commercial HorticulturePlan of Work

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Martin County CES

Title:
Home and Commercial Horticulture
MAP:
Horticulture
Agents Involved:
Ag
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Commercial
Situation:

The Agriculture Program Council has identified several areas of concern in horticulture, including home lawn care, home gardening, community gardens and Farmers’ Market. Thirty-seven percent of the population of the county living below poverty level makes it evident there is a need for assistance in these areas. Farmers Market is conducted from July to October each year, lessons on home gardening and lawn careare offered throughout the year and a community garden is planned for this year,.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Farm income will increase as indicated by the revenue records of the Farmers’ Market. Citizens will become more self-supporting through the knowledge and skills gained from these programs.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Clients will achieve skills needed to produce and market horticultural products by using research based information presented to them through these programs.

Initial Outcomes:

Clients knowledge of producing and marketing horticulture products will increase as evidenced by sales at the Farmers’ Market.

Evaluation:


Initial Outcome: Knowledge gained

Indicator: Better produce at Farmers’ Market

Method: Trainings, Farmers Market, home gardening, etc

Timeline: One year.


Evaluation:

Intermediate Outcome:Skills gained in home gardening and merchandizing produce.

Indicator: Improved home gardening and higher quality produce at the Farmers’ Market.

Method: Increased sales at the Market and higher quality garden products.

Timeline: One year.

Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome: Increased vendors with higher quality products.

Indicator: Sales at the Market.

Method: Review records from the Farmers’ Market.

Timeline: Two years.

Learning Opportunities:

Project or Activity: Farmers’ Market trainings, lessons in home gardening.

Content or Curriculum: Research from the University and Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

Inputs: Ky Department of Agriculture, UK Extension, Whole Foods.

Date:Spring, Summer and Fall 2021-2024


Project or Activity: Farmers Market, Grow Appalachia

Content or Curriculum: UK curriculum, WIC and Senior Farmers Market

Inputs:Department of Agriculture, Grow Appalachia

Date: 2021-2024

Audience: Market vendors and gardeners


Project or Activity: Grow Appalachia with over 50 families participatin

Content or Curriculum: UK research presented by agent at six trainings per year

Inputs: University of Kentucky, Grow Appalachia, Agent taught classes throughout the year.

Date: 2021-2024


Project or Activity: Community Garden

Content or Curriculum: Grow Appalachia, CDC, and agent led gardening lessons throughout the year.

Inputs: Grow Appalachia, CDC, UK research with Agent led lessons,.

Date: 2021-2024





Success Stories

Farmers' Market

Author: Roger Mollette

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

Martin County has 12,500 residents while 37% live below poverty level with a median income of only $22,497.00. Residents of the county have a need for fresh fruits and vegetables at an affordable price.Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year's Farmers' Market was a challenge.  All produce had to be packaged separately, masks worn and social distancing practiced.The Martin County Farmers Market participated in the POP Program(Power of Produce) during National Farmers Market week, Augu

Full Story

Apple Atcha

Author: Roger Mollette

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

Martin County has one of the largest apple orchards in the state with 120,000 trees planted for the first round.  Another 200,000 Honey Crisp trees are planned for the near future. A grant for 3.2 million dollars has been received for a  processing facility that will be located near the orchard site. The University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service will play a vital role in the “Apple Atcha” project by working with farmers in Martin, as well as, the surrounding

Full Story

Grow Appalachia Martin County

Author: Roger Mollette

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Martin County Extension Service works with The Grow Appalachia organization and together they address food insecurity for families focused on organic gardening practices. The Grow Appalachia program has successfully created opportunities for fresh produce to be grown and used/preserved by families in the program.  This program in its fourth year has allowed the Extension Service to assist seventy families to produce and preserve food produced from their gardens. Many of these families c

Full Story

Martin County Agricultural Development Council

Author: Roger Mollette

Major Program: Farm Management, Economics and Policy

The Martin County Agricultural Development Council recently received $30,000.00 from the Kentucky Agricultural Development Council.  The County Council with the Martin County Soil Conservation District acting as the Administrator of the program has chosen the County Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP).  Producers with a Farm Number and Water Quality Plan may apply for up to $5,000.00 for Primary Focus Areas and up to $1,500.00 for Secondary Focus Areas.  Producers will be respo

Full Story
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