Extension
It Starts With Us
Horticulture
Agriculture and Environment
Macy Fawns, 4-H Agent
Local Food Systems
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Master Gardener
Horticulture, Commercial
The 2018 National Gardening Survey found 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 ornamental plants remains high, particularly in the area of gardening to support pollinators and other ecological uses of plants. American gardeners will continue to look to Cooperative Extension for specific answers to their gardening questions. The Extension Master Gardener Program equips trained and certified volunteers to assist Extension staff in delivering research-based gardening information to the public. According to the 2017 USDA Agriculture Census, the number of farms and acres for commercial horticulture continues to grow. Consumer preference for affordable, local fresh food can be measured by the 160 farmers markets in 110 counties with over 2,700 vendors. In addition, growers are marketing through community supported agriculture, produce auctions, and direct marketing to restaurants, schools, and institutions.
- Increase in number of Master Gardener volunteers.
- Increase in income for commercial farmers.
- Increase in accessing of fresh food.
- Reduction of plant loss in landscaping.
- Increase in number of diverse plant varieties.
- Youth will be agriculturally literate.
- Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
- Youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.
- Participants will change their practices to improve sustainability.
- Participants will change their practices to improve disease control.
- Participants will use Extension diagnostic services.
- Participants will be active in gardening.
- Participants will add native plants to landscaping.
- Participants will earn certifications to distribute or sell raw foods
- Participants will provide classes for farmers market
- Youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.
- Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.
- Participants will learn how to make wreaths or centerpieces
- Participants will increase knowledge about gardening and commercial horticulture
- Participants will increase their number of soil tests
- Participants will be able to discuss pollinator protection
- Participants will be able to locate Extension horticulture resources
- Participants will observe horticulture and food preparation demonstrations
- Participants will be able to recognize required food safety practices
- Youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science.
- Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
- Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
Initial Outcome: Participants will be able to recognize required food safety practices
Indicator(s): Number of producers who were successfully trained by Extension on food safety (GAP or FSMA)
Method: Observation & Surveys
Timeline: Spring
Intermediate Outcome: Participants will change their practices to improve sustainability.
Indicator(s): Number of those indicating an increased awareness of sustainable agriculture practices
Method: Observation and Interviews
Timeline: Spring & Fall
Long-term Outcome: Increase in number of Master Gardener volunteers.
Indicator(s): Number of master gardeners that have completed certification and were active volunteers in the county during the past year
Method: Observation & surveys
Timeline: 2023
Initial Outcome: Youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
Indicator(s): Number of youth who indicated they are interested in learning more about plant science (Common Measures – SC 2)
Method: Pre & Post Evaluation
Timeline: spring & fall
Intermediate Outcome: Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.
Indicator(s): Number of youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H natural resource programming
Method: Pre & Post Evaluation
Timeline: Spring & fall
Long-Term Outcome: Youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
Indicator(s): Number of youth who have gained an understanding of ecosystems in Kentucky
Method: Pre & Post Evaluation
Timeline: 2021
Audience: Youth
Project or Activity: Junior Master Gardener Program
Content or Curriculum: Junior Master Gardener curriculum, 4-H Gardening Levels A, B, C, D, and Helper’s Guide
Inputs: 4-H Agent, Horticulture Agent, Cummins Nature Preserve, Master Gardeners
Date: Late spring
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Master Gardener program
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener curriculum
Inputs: Horticulture Agent, UK specialists, field trips
Date: 2023
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Mum production
Content or Curriculum: Field day
Inputs: Horticulture Agent and UK specialists
Date: 2021
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Wreath and Centerpiece Classes
Content or Curriculum: Workshop
Inputs: Horticulture Agent, supplies, volunteers
Date: December
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
In 2020 the Buffalo Trace Ag & Horticulture agents offered a class on mum for Farm School for Women. After the program, a local agriculture tourism company contacted the Mason County Extension office, indicating they heard about the mum program and wanted more information to grow mums in 2021. The Mason County Horticulture Agent partnered with a University of Kentucky Extension specialist for Floriculture, Greenhouse Food Crops, and Controlled Environments to offer assistance to the grower t
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Mason County Detention Center was looking for a way to improve mental health and provide healthier food for inmates. The jailer contacted the horticulture agent before the pandemic about building a greenhouse. After discussion, it was determined that a high tunnel would best suit the needs of the project. The horticulture agent provided information on high tunnel production from including how to get started. The horticulture agent worked closely with the jailer as the tunnel was being built
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy
Container Gardening and Healthy Eating is a program offered to a low-income area of Mason County. Classes have been provided to families at the community center in years past. Still, due to Covid-19 and space restrictions, it was decided to offer the program virtually with supplies delivered to participants if they lived in the housing areas and supplies were available for pick-up for the general public who participated. The program involved the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Pest ID
A client called the office nervous about her tree's declining health. She had a large magnolia tree under stress and was afraid she would lose it. The horticulture agent went to the client's home and determined that the tree was covered in scale (insects); the agent recommended how to eliminate the insects.Three years after the client called about her tree, she called the office and let the agent know the tree was doing well, and it was because of the agent that the tree was alive. The c
