HorticulturePlan of Work

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McCreary County CES

Title:
Horticulture
MAP:
Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
Agents Involved:
Whitis
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Master Gardener
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Commercial Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Farmer's Markets
Situation:
According to Kentucky Ag Statistics Service McCreary County ranks 110th out of the 120 counties in total agriculture receipts which were $105,400,000 in 2010. We have no tobacco and approximately 100 acres of grain. We have a beef/forage based agriculture situation. There is a need for education the horticulture industry. Our Farmers Market is two years old and slowly to grow. Interest has picked up in the production of small fruits and vegetables to sell to local citizens. Citizens of the county can also participate in the Grow Appalachia program. The major horticulture is the Federal Prison; they currently have approximately 10 acres of vegetables and we have conducted a Master Gardener Program that they want to be an annual program.
Long-Term Outcomes:
McCreary County farmers and gardeners are able to help sustain their agricultural operation by being profitable giving them a better quality of life and producing local foods for themselves and the community.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Horticulture producers will become better stewards of their horticulture enterprises thus increasing income or reducing expenses. Commercial Horticultural producers will continue to expand in size and numbers and will bring people to McCreary County to purchase their produce. Home gardeners will produce better quality and more produce through the use of recommended practices thus reducing the dollars that must be spent of food.
Initial Outcomes:
Producers will gain knowledge in the following areas; alternative crops, marketing, and safety. Commercial horticulture producers will become informed on current and new production practices that will make them more profitable. Home gardeners will gain knowledge about composting, raised beds, weed, disease and insect control, and food preservation. Home and commercial fruit producers will gain knowledge on small and large fruit.
Evaluation:
Outcome: Production of commercial horticulture will expand.
Indicator: Number of acres in commercial horticulture production, amount sold through the Farmers Market, number of gardens through Grow Appalachia
Method: Surveys and farm visits
Timeline: March - October

Outcome: Home gardeners becoming more knowledgeable.
Indicator: Number attending raised bed field day, number of raised beds constructed
Method: Surveys and observations
Timeline: March - October

Outcome: Master Gardener Program at Federal Prison
Indicator: Number attending, number completing course work
Method: surveys, attendance at meetings, observations
Timeline: February – April

Outcome: Farmers Market
Indicator: Number of sellers, amount of money taken in,
Method: surveys, attendance at market, observations
Timeline: May-October
Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers, homeowners, and youth.

Activity: Apple Grafting Workshop

Content or Curriculum: How to graft apple trees

Date: March


Audience: Farmers, homeowners, and youth.

Activity: Conduct fruit pruning workshop

Content or Curriculum: How properly prune fruit crops

Date: March


Audience: Farmers, Gardeners

Activity: Grow Appalachia

Content or Curriculum: Monthly meetings with gardeners

Date: January - October


Audience: Farmers and public

Activity: Farmers Market

Content or Curriculum: Open and operate a Farmers Market

Date: May - October


Audience: Farmers, homeowners, and youth.

Activity: Newsletters, social media and News articles

Content or Curriculum: All Agriculture Topics

Date: July -June


Audience: Federal Prison Inmates

Activity: 13 Week Program

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener approved Curriculum

Date: February – April


Audience: Federal Prison Campers
Activity: Master Turf Class
Content or Curriculum: Topics selected by Turf Specialist
Date: Feb. - March 




Success Stories

South East KY Beekeeping School

Author: Gregory Whitis

Major Program: Bees/Beekeeping

South East KY Beekeeping School

South East Kentucky Bee School 2018Importance: McCreary County has over 75 beekeepers with over 550 hives. This was the ninth Bee School held between McCreary and Whitley County.Educational Programs: The South Eastern Bee Keeping School was held to assist bee keepers in South Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee with needed information to make their bee keeping efforts more successful. An all day program was held that offered 25 different educational classes that bee keepers could attend, from beginni

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