Nelson County CES

Title:

Horticulture Problem Solving, Food Systems Development and the Environment

MAP:

Horticulture, Forestry & Environmental Education, Advancement and Sustainability

Agents Involved:

Smith, Hagler, Howard

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Master Gardener

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Beekeeping

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization

Situation:

Agriculture continues to be a strong force in Nelson County. In 2017 the U. S. Agriculture Census stated that nearly 74% of the county was in farmland, equaling 1434 farms. Nelson County farmers boast nearly $68,000,000 in goods and services sold in 2017. While a great majority of production is still traditional agriculture the popularity of local grown produce continues to show strong demand among many demographics. Fifty-four percent of vegetables and fruits are consumed fresh and each person consumes nearly 700 pounds of produce annually. If each of our 45,000 citizens consumes their average portion there would be a direct need for at least 15,000,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables. We currently produce nowhere near those quantities locally.  The 2019 Community Assessment stated that 13% of respondents identified a need for more food production skills within our community.  Consequently, there seems to be enormous potential for growth and farm income with the addition of fruit and vegetables into the farm crop rotation. the need for reeducation of adults and the education of youth about where food comes from and how to grow your own will remain a focus.  This large task will call for help from our Extension Master Gardeners who are trained, ready and willing to educate the community.   

Kentucky’s natural resources play an important role in our state’s social, economic, and environmental well-being. Today’s youth spend less time outdoors than previous generations (Clemonts, 2004; Karsten, 2005; Carver et al., 2008). Every five years (since 1999) the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC) conducts a survey to assess Kentuckian’s environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. According to KEEC’s 2015-2020 Environmental Education Master Plan (2015), “…the average Kentuckian is able to answer correctly slightly more than half of the environmental knowledge questions included on the survey. This result leaves ample room for improvement” (p 27). Kentucky 4-H provides environmental education opportunities by engaging youth in hands-on, interdisciplinary educational experiences that foster an increased understanding and appreciation for natural resources and environmental sciences. Programs and projects are offered in the areas of environmental science, entomology, forestry and wood science, geology, soils, water, wildlife, and shooting sports. 

 

Long-Term Outcomes:

• The desire of this program is to increase the population base that understands the factors that affect plant growth and processes. 
• Homeowners will become more aware of the amounts of pesticides and fertilizer they are putting into the environment and work to decrease those inputs 
• More homeowners will be converted to an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to horticulture maintenance, therefore decreasing their need for other inputs. 
• More profit will be realized from active management of forested areas of owned land. 
• More families will grow gardens and understand the necessity to produce at least part of their own food needs. 
• Families will become more active in their own health by producing and eating their own foods. 
• Youth will seek careers in horticulture and related fields. 
• Urban agriculture will become an accepted way of life by policy makers 
• Homeowners will select plants based on desirable qualities and not just what is being sold to them through retail operations. 
• Native Plants will be looked upon as viable options in our landscapes 
• Youth will be environmentally literate. 
• Youth will make informed decisions and take responsible action regarding natural resources conservation, protection, and restoration.  
• Youth will be advocates for environmental sustainability and stewardship. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• We will see an increase in soil testing by homeowners. 
• Less chemical inputs will be needed with an increase use of IPM. 
• Selection of plant material will be made based on the site situation. 
• Homeowners will understand and change the way they undergo site preparation to avoid compaction. 
• More management will take place in woodlands. 
• A better understanding of the differences between insects will occur. 
• A better understanding of how various inputs affect different parts of the infrastructure and environment. 
• Youth will demonstrate the knowledge gained by competing at the ?4-H Forestry and Envirothon Contests. 
• Youth will explain the importance and role of natural resources in daily life. 
• Youth will adopt practices to conserve and protect natural resources.  
• Youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H natural resources and environmental projects and clubs, and life situations. 

Initial Outcomes:

• Homeowners will gain knowledge regarding disease management. 

• When purchasing plants homeowners will know what to look for in regards to quality and condition. 

• Homeowners will use chemicals in a responsible manner. 

• Homeowners will gain the skills needed to carryout home improvement projects. 

• Homeowners will become aware of the needs and habitat of plants and how that affects the plants lifespan. 

• Landowners will understand the value of their forested acres. 

• Families will better understand the vegetable and fruit gardening process. 

* Youth will increase their knowledge of forestry and horticulture principles and demonstrate their new skills at state forestry field days and horticulture judging contest. 

Youth will gain knowledge and skills in environmental sciences and natural resources content.  

Youth will gain an understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship.  

Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership. 

Evaluation:

Outcome: Homeowners, families, and landowners will gain understanding and knowledge that will help with their economic stability.

Indicator: Progressively more difficult subject matter will be requested and Master Gardener enrollment will increase.

Method: Surveys, group discussion, topic evaluation.

Timeline: Following the educational event, with a follow-up 1 month later.

Method: 4-H Programs will begin implementing the National 4-H Common Measures evaluation tools

Timeline: Gradually phased in over  2021 program years

Outcome: All areas of commercial horticulture will see prosperity due to more marketing options, increased yield and quality, and a better understanding of how their operation functions.

Indicator: Progressively more difficult inquiries will be made, more acreage will be planted, and stability will occur.

Method: Surveys, group discussion, one on one, interaction, evaluation, monitoring of Ag, statistics, and number of horticulture business licenses granted.

Timeline: Following each educational event that happens throughout the year.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: The population of Nelson County interested in gaining knowledge and understanding of various horticulture topics. 

Project or Activity: Master Gardener Training 

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Curriculum 

Inputs: Instruction, meeting space, supplies, 

Date: Fall and winter 

Audience: Vegetable and Fruit Producers

Project or Activity: KY Vegetable Growers Winter Meeting

Content or Curriculum: Varied and Thorough topics

Inputs: Transportation

Date: Annually in the winter

Audience: Fruit and vegetable growers

Project or Activity: Good Agriculture Practices

Content or Curriculum: Food Safe handling

Inputs: Teaching

Date: Annually in the Spring

Audience: Farmers’ Market Vendors

Project or Activity: Farmers’ Market Fair

Content or Curriculum: Display and marketing workshop, Sampling demo and scale testing

Inputs: Teaching,

Date: Annually in the Spring

Audience: Commercial Vegetable Growers

Project or Activity: Vegetable Field Trial Program

Content or Curriculum: Onsite production trials for new growers

Inputs: Equipment, Teaching

Date: Annually in the Summer

Audience: Beekeepers and Vegetable Growers

Project or Activity: Beekeeping 101

Content or Curriculum: Series of classes designed to increase beekeepers understanding of their craft.

Inputs: Teaching, Transportation, Tools

Date: Spring 

Audience: Nelson County Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Bee Ambassadors 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Bee Ambassadors Curriculum 

Inputs: Program Materials, Meeting Space, Volunteers 

Date: Ongoing 

Audience: Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Project or Activity: Home-based Microprocessor training

Content or Curriculum: Safe food handling and preservation

Inputs: Teaching, equipment, and facilities

Date: Winter

Audience: Potential Commercial Growers

Project or Activity: Vegetable Growers Academy

Content or Curriculum: Series of Workshops aimed at introducing potential growers to various commercial crops

Inputs: Teaching, facilities, specialists

Date: Fall and winter 

Audience: Potential Commercial service providers

Project or Activity: Horticulture Service providers Academy and certification

Content or Curriculum: Series of Workshops aimed at introducing commercial clientele to the horticulture services sector.

Inputs: Teaching, facilities, specialists

Date: Fall and winter

Audience: The population of Nelson County interested in gaining knowledge and understanding of various horticulture topics.

Project or Activity: Master Gardener Training

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Curriculum

Inputs: Instruction, meeting space, supplies,

Date: Fall and winter

Audience: The population of Nelson County interested in gaining knowledge and understanding of various horticulture topics.

Project or Activity: Bloomfield Library Garden Series

Content or Curriculum: Various Horticulture Topics

Inputs: Instruction,

Date: Year-Round

Audience: Horticulture Enthusiasts

Project or Activity: Blooming Bardstown Garden Tour

Content or Curriculum: Visual display of proper gardening techniques

Inputs: Instruction, Site hosting,

Date: June

Audience: Nelson County Residents

Project or Activity: Nelson County Community Garden Projects

Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Gardening

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature

Date: Spring and Summer

Audience: Nelson County Residents

Project or Activity: Bee Keeping Club

Content or Curriculum: Bee Keeping from install to harvest

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature

Date: Year-Round

Audience: Nelson County Residents

Project or Activity: Woodland Owners Short Course and Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Forestry Curriculum

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature

Date: Winter

Audience: Nelson County Youth

Project or Activity: Horticulture Judging teams

Content or Curriculum: National Junior Horticulture Judging Contest Curriculum

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature, transportation

Date: Winter, Spring, and Summer

Audience: Nelson County 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Natural Resource Educational Programs-Project  clubs, School Enrichment, etc

Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature

Date: ongoing

Audience: Youth interested in Environmental Sciences

Project or Activity: Junior and Senior Forestry Field Days, Envirothon Contests, Forestry Leadership Program, Entomology Programs, Geology Programs  

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Forestry Curriculum and Natural Resources curriculums

Inputs: Instruction, meeting space, supplies,

Date: Fall and Spring

Audience: 4-H Youth 

Project or Activity:  4-H Shooting Sports 

Curriculum: Shooting Sports Curricula  

Inputs: Training, meeting space, equipment volunteers 

Date: Oct- Sept 

4-H Evaluation 

• The outcome to be Evaluated: Youth plan and implement a natural resource project (e.g., entomology project, forestry project, etc.). 
  

• Indicator of Success for Outcome: Youth complete a natural resource project. 
  

• Method of Evaluation: 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey 

 

Success Stories