Extension
It Starts With Us
Best Practices
Home and commercial Horticulture
Rideout, Hardy, Brasher, Fourqurean, Buckman
Horticulture, Commercial
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Food Preparation and Preservation
Kentuckians have found growing and selling fruit, vegetable, and ornamental crops as well as value added products through local farmers markets is an effective way to supplement family income following the decline of tobacco production. Consequently there is a need to educate growers and vendors on production and marketing techniques and consumers on fresh produce preparation and nutritional characteristics, to make these markets more effective. There is also a need to start new markets and strengthen existing markets.
Based on information requests and on Horticulture advisory council, there is a high demand for both consumer and commercial programming in Henderson County. According to the EPA, 100 million pounds of active ingredients from pesticides were applied in home and gardens throughout the United States. Each year, over $11 billion is spent on household and garden pest control products. Proper use of pesticides by homeowners and commercial operations is imperative and directly impact our environment including groundwater sources.
The need to apply pesticides increases when plant care/selection best practices are not followed.
Home consumers and Commercial operators follow best practices for plant production. Home consumers and Commercial operators apply pesticides based on current best practices, following IPM practices.
Home and commercial producers will increase yields and revenues utilizing the best information available for their specific crops.
Home consumers and Commercial operators will utilize researched based information to properly apply best practices including proper plant selection, proper cultural practices.
Home consumers and Commercial operators will learn best practices regarding plant cultivar selection, proper cultural practices, and understand insect and disease management best practices.
Initial Outcome: education of best practices
Indicator: number attending programs
Method: sign in forms
Timeline: all programs annually
Intermediate Outcome: Producers/home owners will utilize information gained to make good decisions regarding variety selection, chemical usage, and plant production practices.
Indicator: self reported changes of behavior/site visit observations
Method: pre-post surveys
Timeline: all programs annually
Long-term Outcome: increased number of producers, home and commercial
Indicator: number of vendors at farmers market; self reported first time home gardeners
Method: Farmers Market vendor numbers/post program surveys
Timeline: annually
Audience: Commercial Applicator's
Project or Activity: Commercial Applicator Pest. Training
Content or Curriculum: State Applicator Training Material
Inputs: Agents/State Office of Environmental Services/ Specialists
Date: Annually - Fall
Audience: Master Gardeners
Project or Activity: MG training classes
Content or Curriculum: MG manual
Inputs: specialists, agents, publications, field trips
Date: annually or biannually as needed
Audience: Henderson Residents
Project or Activity: Saturday In the Garden Series
Content or Curriculum: Agent developed
Inputs: publications, demonstration garden
Date: Spring and Fall Saturdays; annually
Audience: Regional potential market producers; partner with Purdue University
Project or Activity: Small Farm Conference
Content or Curriculum: Agent developed
Inputs: publications, demonstration plots/activities
Date: Spring annually
Audience: Current and Potential market producers;
Project or Activity: High Tunnel Educational Seminar
Content or Curriculum: Specialist/Agent developed
Inputs: publications, demonstration, USDA Grant information
Date: Fall, 2022
Audience: Individuals interested in perserving foods
Project: Canning, Freezing and Drying Foods
Content or Curriculum: So Easy to Preserve and UK Publications
input: Specialist, publications and So Easy to Perserve material
Date- Fall 2022 and Spring 2023
Audience: Henderson Co Youth
Project: Ag Safety Day
Content or Curriculum: UK publications, Specialists
input: Henderson Co CEC, Community organizations and groups
Date: Spring 2023
Author: Paul Andrew Rideout
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Homeowners have few unbiased resources when looking for solutions to lawn and garden problems. Many automatically turn to applications of chemicals or fertilizers that may not be necessary for treatment or they will consult local businesses that are motivated to sell products. Excess products ultimately become groundwater contaminants contributing to pollution concerns. Greener gardening practices has recently been hot topics with public education heading up the most likely avenue to change atti
Author: Paul Andrew Rideout
Major Program: Master Gardener
Master Gardeners Providing Quality Programs The Henderson County Master Gardener Program continues to serve the community through several avenues. In 2022, the MG’s offered 10+ programs with hands on training for home gardeners. Topics included herbal teas, growing gourds, composting, growing garlic, Japanese maples, growing figs in KY, as well as a three part vegetable garden series. Over 100 total participants learned about growing successful home gardens with a co
Author: Paul Andrew Rideout
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Urban Tree Plan Adopted and Implemented Urban landscape can be a struggle to maintain and plan for long term beautification. Many municipality budgets don’t allow for proper urban tree management. Early in 2019, the Henderson Downtown Initiative contacted the Extension Office to help with a few selected streetscape tree maintenance issues. Several conversations over the next month led to identifying the need to better manage the health and replacement of the do
