Horticulture Production PracticesPlan of Work

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Bourbon County CES

Title:
Horticulture Production Practices
MAP:
Horticulture Production and Marketing
Agents Involved:
Tackett
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy
Situation:

Numerous local and national surveys and  studies have shown that the demand for locally produced food continues to grow.  Some studies conducted in population centers located close to Bourbon County indicate that local fruit and vegetable production does not even meet current consumer demand.  Local producers need to continually evaluate their operations and production practices in order to efficiently meet the current and future demand for food products. Through direct observation on numerous local  production site visits it has been observed that new and experienced producers could easily expand their existing production capacity by adopting more advanced horticulture production practices (pulse irrigation, fertigation, high tunnel season extension, etc.)  Extension has resources to educate horticulture producers in production, value added opportunities, business planning, and marketing strategies to expand production  for the demand.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Increase in the production of local horticulture products through the use of advanced production practices


Producer sales and/or profits at farmer’s markets, road side stands, and/or community supported agriculture increase.


Maintain or increase economic stability of farm operations.

Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Number of producers reporting increase in awareness of issues noted in 'short term outcomes'

Indicator:

number of producers reporting: growing variety of produce based on market demand,  reviewing/attending programs on extending growing seasons, fertigation, plasticulture, etc.

Method:

end of meeting evaluations, follow up online evaluations, site visits

Timeline:

2021-24


Intermediate Outcome:

number of commercial producers reporting practice changes made in the areas outlined in 'medium term outcomes'

Indicator:

number of producers who: increse usage of plasticulture, drip irrigation, fertigation, season extension structures, advanced production practices

Method: pre/post meting evaluations, 3 month follow up online surveys

Timeline:

2021-24


Long-term Outcome:


Indicator: total increase in production through use of advanced production practices

Method: pre/post meeting evaluations, 6 month meeting follow up surveys, site visits,

Timeline: 2022-23

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:

Commercial Producers

Project or Activity:

tomato trellising field demonstrations

Content or Curriculum:

Extension 'Florida Weave' trellising publication

Inputs: stakes, twine, etc.

Date: Spring 2023


Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity: alternative hort crop mtgs

Content or Curriculum: UK Center for Crop Diversification information

Inputs: Local office resources, UK specialists/research materials

Date: Winter 2022


Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity:

season extension techniques

Content or Curriculum:

UK publications

Inputs: Agents time, local Extension Office resources, Specialists/research publications

Date: Spring 2023


Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity:

 drip irrigation demonstration

Content or Curriculum:

UK publications

Inputs: drip irrigation supplies

Date: spring 2022-23


Audience:

commercial producers/homeowners

Project or Activity:

Tomato Research project-Home tomato early blight trials

Content or Curriculum:

UK publications/Other Extension publications

Inputs: small scale power spray equipment

Date: Trial Summer 2022.  Wrap up and publication 2023


Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity:

general vegetable productions meeting(s)

Content or Curriculum: UK production publications, Center for Crop Diversification crop profiles

Inputs: Agent time, specialists

Date: Ongoing 2021-24


Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity:

 high tunnel production demo

Content or Curriculum:

UK publications

Inputs: irrigation/plant material supplies

Date: fall/winter/spring 2023



Success Stories

Tomato early blight trial

Author: Anthony Tackett

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

Early blight is the most common fungal disease of tomatoes in Kentucky.  Producer questions related to early blight in commercial and home tomato plantings make up the largest percentage of problems year after year.  During the past year the Bourbon County Cooperative Extension Service worked with on campus specialists at the University of Kentucky in designing and establishing a local evaluation trial of multiple tomato varieties to assess the natural variety resistance (if any) to th

Full Story

Community Garden Club Programming

Author: Anthony Tackett

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

During the past year the Cooperative Extension Service has worked extensively with several local garden clubs in delivering educational opportunities.  Programs were delivered through a variety  of methods including classroom style presentations, hands on demonstrations, and outdoor workshops. So far in this program cycle over 75 garden club members have taken part in these consumer focused garden programs.  In addition, over 65 youth were involved in programs and special events t

Full Story

Microgreen Educational Series

Author: Anthony Tackett

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The Horticulture program on Microgreens was a successful extension activity that aimed to educate and empower the participants on the benefits and methods of growing microgreens. The program consisted of several group classroom sessions and individual sessions, with a total attendance of 35 people from different backgrounds and interests. The participants learned about the best practices for planting, harvesting, and storing microgreens as well at the market potential. As a demonstration of thei

Full Story

Advanced Orchard Testing Services

Author: Anthony Tackett

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

The Bourbon County Horticulture program of the Cooperative Extension Service provides advanced orchard testing services and recommendations to local fruit growers. These tests include tissue analysis and soil tests, which are essential for monitoring the health and productivity of local commercial orchards. Recently, the program conducted numerous tests for a grower who planted thousands of new apple and peach trees in the county. The tests revealed some nutrient deficiencies and imbalances that

Full Story
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