HorticulturePlan of Work

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Simpson County CES

Title:
Horticulture
MAP:
22-23 Horticulture
Agents Involved:
Jason Phillips, Catherine Webster
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Master Gardener
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Local Food Systems
Situation:

Situation: Consumers have grown increasingly cognoscente of food safety and improving overall health while demanding fresh, quality food products. These factors have fueled the local food movement across Kentucky and in Simpson County. Producers require more programming opportunities to continue to supply this need and improve upon their products and profitability. Additionally, home production has increased to meet food needs for local families.


Long-Term Outcomes:

Long-term Outcomes: Consumers will improve their health and add stability to the local economy by purchasing locally grown food products which will increase producer profits. Homeowners will save money and improve health by improving horticultural production practices.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Intermediate Outcomes: Producers will improve practices and adopt new technology to increase the overall efficiency of the production process for various local horticultural products. Commercial producers will put into practice strategic marketing plans to help promote local products which will continue to increase the demand among consumers for farm fresh foods.


Initial Outcomes:

Initial Outcome: Producers will increase their knowledge in vegetable, small and tree fruit, local meat production, and non-food horticultural products. They will be better prepared to take, follow, and implement UK soil test fertility management recommendations, understand integrated pest management techniques, select disease resistant and higher yielding varieties, make timely plantings and pesticide applications, utilize sustainable management practices, research new technologies and alternative production techniques, improve marketing strategies, and understand how to implement the best overall production system for their specific farming operation. Individuals will increase their knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety and food resource management.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Commercial horticultural producers will increase knowledge and develop plans, execute plans, and increase profitability. Homeowners will improve practices, health and increase savings.

Indicator: The number of producers indicating knowledge, practice, and increased profitability.

Method: Post-meeting evaluations

Timeline: Evaluations will be given immediately following programs and one to twenty for months after programs.

Learning Opportunities:


Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):


Audience: Franklin-Simpson Farmers’ Market Vendors

Project or Activity: Franklin-Simpson Farmers’ Market

Content or Curriculum: production and marketing education, F-S Farmers’ Market promotional events, food safety education

Inputs: Agents’ time, paid staff, meeting facility, UK publications, KDA resources, newsletters, radio programs

Date: 2022-2023 program year


Audience: Community Gardening

Project or Activity: Container Garden Kits and Educational Videos

Content or Curriculum: food production education, nutrition

Inputs: Agents, UK publications, Tractor Supply Co., School District, Video Equipment and Editing Software

Date: April - June 2023


Audience: Small and Mid-sized fruit producers and homeowners

Project or Activity: Fruit tree workshop

Content or Curriculum: pruning and production

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, UK specialists, UK publications, newsletters, radio programs

Date: March 2023


Audience: Commercial Food Producers

Project or Activity: Commercial Food Production Educational Programs

Content or Curriculum: fertility, marketing, high tunnels, production methods, integrated pest management

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, meeting facilities, UK specialists, newsletters, radio programs

Date: 2022-2023 program year


Audience:  Youth

Project of Activity:  4-H Gardening Club

Content or Curriculum:  Hands-on demonstrations teaching how to & allowing youth to plant, maintain, harvest, and market garden produce

Inputs:  Agents, paid staff, video equipment and software, Farmers' Market, Simpson Co. Schools Community Education 

Date:  July 2022-June 2023


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Horticulture Judging and Jr. Forestry Field Day

Content or Curriculum: State Fair Guidelines

Inputs: Mammoth Cave National Park & Employees, UK Specialists,

Extension Agents & Offices, 4-H Parents & Volunteers, Community

Businesses related to Horticulture

Date: August-September 2022


Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Succulents and Perennials

Content or Curriculum: Extension materials

Inputs: Agent led, train-the trainer for clubs, food and nutrition information

Date: April 2023



Success Stories

Master Gardener Volunteer Program

Author: Jason Phillips

Major Program: Master Gardener

In response to clientele requests, the Allen, Simpson and Warren County Extension Agents for Agriculture and Horticulture collaborated together to offer the Extension Master Gardener Volunteer program in the Winter/Spring of 2023. Educational classes were offered for a total of 12 weeks with 14 home consumer horticulture topics being covered. Consumer horticulture topics covered in the program were home vegetable gardening, small and tree fruit production, home lawn care practices, woody tree an

Full Story

Promoting Local Food Systems

Author: Jason Phillips

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The Extension Service along with the Agriculture Advisory Council in Simpson County work hard to promote local food systems.  Local foods are very nutritious and taste better due to freshness.  People can make personal relationships with the farmers that produce these products and learn more about the overall food production process.  Also, buying local makes a positive impact on the local economy.  Many studies have shown that those local food dollars are often spent again l

Full Story
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