Extension
It Starts With Us
Horticulture
Horticulture
Rebecca Konopka
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Local Food Systems
Horticulture, Commercial
Small Farm Diversification
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.
Source: UK Horticulture Home & Consumer Logic Model
Homeowners & Farmer's Market vendors will:
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
Homeowners & Farmer's Market vendors will:
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
Homeowners & Farmer's Market vendors will:
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
Initial Outcome: Clientele will learn basic gardening techniques
Indicator: Produce grown
Method:Social media, Phone calls, News Articles, Meetings, Farm & Office Visits, Online Webinars, Grab & Go Bags
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 & Trainings; Marketing & Promotional Materials; Social Media
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Farmer's Market Vendors
Project or Activity: Meetings, Online Webinars, Newsletters
Content or Curriculum: UK Plant Pathology & Horticulture Publications; Exclusives
Inputs: KDA, UK Specialists & Agents
Date: April-October
Audience: Landowners
Project or Activity: Newsletters, Newspaper Articles, Farm Visits, Social Media, Field Days, Meetings, Online Webinars
Content or Curriculum: UK Plant Pathology & Horticulture Publications
Inputs: UK Specialists, Agents
Date: March - November
Author: Rebecca Konopka
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Carter County Extension Council members, leaders, and staff identified a need to recruit new clientele in Carter County. As a result of the pandemic and agent vacancies, face-to-face participation in programs had decreased. Carter County Agents wanted to develop programs that would be of interest to people of all ages and help bring new participants to the Extension Office. The goal was to have a schedule of classes that were not limited to farmers, 4-H, and Homemaker members.
