Extension
It Starts With Us
Commercial and Homeowner Horticulture Education
Enhancing Commercial & Consumer Hort. Advancement
Kara Back, Kimberly Thomas
Local Food Systems
Master Gardener
Horticulture, Commercial
Homeowners are wanting to have a more sustainable lifestyle by raising their own fruits and vegetables and caring for their landscape. There is also an increase in commercial horticulture to sell in produce auctions, and an increased interest in local food systems. Under the direction of the Extension Council and Farmers' Market, educational programs are needed to enhance these interests.
Improve food management skills and healthy eating habits through raising own foods, while commercial producers are sustaining profitability.
Help commercial growers reach profit sustainability, by providing educational opportunities to implement within their operations.
Having a sustainable Farmers' Market.
Residents within the county will have the opportunity to participate in the Master Gardener's Program to gain education, which can be used to improve not only their own home / farm, but also the community through educational projects.
Homeowners will implement best management practices to ensure a bountiful harvest.
Citizens have access to more local foods.
More households will plant, harvest, and preserve produce.
Commercial producers adopt recommended practices that lead to more profitability.
Increase number of patrons at Farmers' Markets.
Homeowners are motivated to improve landscapes.
Residents will be able to participate in projects within the Master Gardener's Program. They will gain knowledge in botany, disease, entomology, soil composition, etc., which they can use to educate others.
Understand the importance of sustainable local agriculture to their health and financial well-being.
Homeowners learn about different varieties and best management practices of fruit and vegetables.
Commercial growers learn about best management practices, new methods, and new technologies.
Residents will be able to participate in projects within the Master Gardener's Program will gain knowledge in botany, disease, entomology, soil composition, etc
Initial Outcome: Individuals, homeowners, and commercial growers will gain knowledge about horticulture's role in their daily lives and economic endeavors.
Indicator: Number of individuals who report changes in knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations.
Method: Post-test
Timeline:End of program series.
Intermediate Outcome: Individuals, homeowners, and commercial growers will implement gained knowledge within their lifestyles, and economic endeavors.
Indicator: Number of people who implement at least one practice which was taught during any of the horticulture classes / series.
Method: Follow up survey / interviews.
Timeline: Annually.
Long-term Outcome: Individuals, homeowners, and commercial growers will enjoy a healthier lifestyle, and sustainable profitability through education provided by UK Extension.
Indicator: Individuals enjoy a healthier & more self-sufficient lifestyle, while commercial growers will gain a more sustaining profit.
Method: Pre and post evaluation in addition to monitoring of health statistics & social economic indicators within Taylor County.
Timeline: Beginning and end of program.
Audience: Commercial Vegetable Producers
Project or Activity: Weekly or Bi-Weekly On-Farm Instruction: Insect Pests, Production & Disease
Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, UK Publications from: http://www.uky.edu/hort/documents-list-commercial-vegetable
Inputs: UK Specialists & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent
Date: July-September 2023 - January-June 2024
Audience: Residents of Taylor and surrounding counties
Project or Activity: Master Gardener Program
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Program Manual
Inputs: UK Specialists, Additional Horticulture Agents, & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent
Date: January-May 2024
Audience: Adults at Campbellsville Housing
Project or Activity: Campbellsville Housing Horticulture Program
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky, & The Master Gardener's Handbook
Inputs: Campbellsville Housing Event Coordinator & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent
Date: July 2023 - June 2024 - Adult & Children Classes 3rd Monday & 3rd Wednesday of every month
Audience: Residents of Taylor & Surrounding Counties
Project or Activity: Farmers' Market Health Fair, National Farmers' Market Week Celebration, Farmers' Market Fall Festival and other events at the Farmers' Market
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky & SNAP-ED Resources
Inputs: Taylor County Health Department, Farmers' Market Association, Inc. of Taylor County, and the Taylor Co. Cooperative Extension Office Agents.
Date: July 2023 - June 2024
Audience: The Healing Place
Project or Activity: Recovery Garden
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky
Inputs: The Healing Place, and the Taylor County Extension Office
Date: September 2023 & March 2024
Audience: 9 - 18 year old youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Horticulture Judging Contest
Content or Curriculum: NJHA Material, 4-H horticulture curriculum
Inputs: Local nurseries, grocery stores, producers, forestry specialists, & Taylor Co. Horticulture and 4-H Agent
Date: June - August 2023, 2024
Audience: Category 3 & 20 Commercial Applicator License Holders
Project or Activity: Tri-County Lawn Care CEU Course
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky and surrounding states' publications
Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, KDA Inspectors, County Agents
Date: November 2023
Audience: Commercial Vegetable Producers
Project or Activity: Commercial Growers Yearly Workshop
Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, UK Publications from: http://www.uky.edu/hort/documents-list-commercial-vegetable
Inputs: UK Specialists & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent
Date: November 2023
Audience: Adults and Youth at the Library
Project or Activity: Both Adult Horticulture Monthly Programs and Summer Youth Horticulture Programs Covering a Vast Range of Topics
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky and other University of Kentucky and other State Extension Publications
Inputs: Taylor County Extension Office and Taylor County Library
Date: July 2023 - June 2024
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Monthly Horticulture Special Interest Group
Content or Curriculum: Junior Master Gardener Curriculum, U.K. 4-H Curriculum-Horticulture
Inputs: Taylor County 4-H and Horticulture Agents, Master Gardeners
Date: July 2023 - June 2024
Audience: Residents of Taylor County
Project or Activity: Monthly Busy Bloomers Garden Club
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky publications
Inputs: Garden Club Members and Horticulture Agent, Trips
Date: July 2023 - June 2024
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
The problem The Taylor County 4-H Horticulture Team competing in the state fair contest.The educational program response Sixteen practices were held this summer in preparation for the contest.The participants/target audience The youth that participated in the practices did not have to compete at the state fair. In addition to the nine youth who competed at the state fair there was two cloverbuds and four 4-Hers who &nb
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Taylor County Farmers’ Market has struggled for several years in customer attendance. The horticulture agent has implement several events and programs throughout the season to attract more customers. One of the events that was new for the season was a summer bash. It consisted of various activities for kids and families such as: 4th of July crafts, planting activities, and free food samples. As a result of the summer bash, the Taylor County Farmers’ market saw a custome
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Agriculture & Natural Resources
The problemRequest for an entomology club for children.The educational program responseMonthly lessons, focusing on a different insect, arachnid, etc.The participants/target audience4-H youthOther partners (if applicable)Master GardenersProgram impact or participant response.The 4-H entomology club has been very successful this year. The list of insects focused on so are wooly bears, ants, lady beetles, cockroaches, and many more to come. Lessons consist of lecture / reading of book about the in
