Extension
It Starts With Us
Horticulture (Commercial/Home/Consumer) and Small Farm Development
Diversification of Agriculture
Chaney, Porter, ANR Agent, Workman
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Horticulture, Commercial
Master Gardener
Pike County is not known for traditional agriculture (row crops) due to its mountainous terrain. According to the USDA Census of Agriculture, the number of farms in Pike County as of 2022 is 66. Market value of products sold has climbed to $1,378,000, which is up 85% from 2017. Farm related income has increased $301,000 up 11% from 2017. Pike County has 100 farmers, approximately 2/3 were male and 1/3 were female. 7 were under age 35; 73 were from ages 35-64; 20 were age 65 & older.
Gardening is not just a nice hobby. It can improve nutrition, reduce stress, and be used as a therapeutic treatment in a variety of individuals. Environmentally, gardening can contribute to a community in providing a sociable environment, improve water quality, and reduce a community’s waste stream through composting of organic material. All of these assertions are supported in the program manual for the Kentucky Master Gardener Program.
Home Gardening is a key to better nutrition and healthier foods. An emphasis is in setting ground work for more home gardening and fruit production. Gardening is a great way for local residents improve their diets and a good way to get exercise.
Landscaping is also an important factor in residential and commercial property as well as increasing the attractiveness of a community. Landscaping both soft-scaping and hard-scaping can add up to 20% to the value of a home.
An effective means for making gardening and landscaping more popular and widespread is through the Kentucky Master Gardener Program (MGP). This well-established program is oriented towards creating leaders as much as it is devoted to increasing the knowledge of its participants. A successful MGP can expand by the efforts of gardeners to teach others about the benefits of gardening and demonstrate the benefits of gardening through gardening projects, such as community gardens, community beautification projects, heritage or heirloom gardening, and youth gardening. Since MGP participants tend to come from a variety of backgrounds, this program is an excellent way for people to get involved with Extension programming and for Extension to spread its influence county wide.
Walking and horseback trails are a way for the residents and visitors to Pike County to become healthier and encourage a healthier lifestyle and economic boost to the area.
Goal 1: The increase in amount and diversity of Agriculture Production in Pike County.
Goal 2: The increase in the amount and diversity of fruits & vegetables grown.
Goal 3: The increase in community involvement in social, environmental, and economic conditions as they relate to agriculture, landscaping, and community beautification and good health.
Goal 4: Youth will utilize the scientific method to solve problems in their daily lives.
Goal 5: Youth will choose a career path in science, engineering or technology subject matter.
Goal 6: Youth will utilize the scientific method in decision-making.
Goal 7: Pike County residents and visitors will utilize our county as a walkable community.
Goal 1: Increase production of marketable products to be sold at Farmers Market.
Goal 2: Development and expansion of alternative agriculture markets and Farmers Market.
Goal 3: Development and expansion of home fruit & vegetable production.
Goal 4: County Farmers will demonstrate changes in diversification and efficiency of their operations through Extension offered workshops, classes, and tours.
Goal 5: Increase in the diversity of agricultural operations.
Goal 6: Producers will show an increase in the use of BMP’s.
Goal 7: Farmers will increase the utilization of forested lands.
*Farmers/residents will develop and expand diversification by wise use of the land and resources at their disposal. Individuals will become more proficient at making informed decisions in the areas of horticulture production, processing and preservation.
Goal 8: Increased community involvement in the development of walking/hiking and horseback riding trails
Goal 9: Increased community involvement in the development of community beautification both at home and in the community.
Goal 10: The increase in the type & quality of value-added products.
Goal 11: Increased individual involvement in the improvement of their home situation.
Goal 12: Increased community nutrition and health benefits through support of the Farmers Market and home gardening.
Goal 13: Increased numbers of home gardeners.
Goal 14: Youth will utilize scientific methods to solve problems in their daily life.
Goal 15: Youth will choose a career path in science, engineering or technology subject matter.
Goal 16: Youth will utilize the scientific method in decision-making.
Goal 17: An increase in home beautification projects by participating individuals
Goal 1: Knowledge of new and improved management skills for improved profitability.
Goal 2: Knowledge of better management practices and conservation related to their enterprises.
Goal 3: Understanding the importance of diversity in small operations.
Goal 4: Knowledge that management and use of forest and forest products can be a viable enterprise.
Goal 5: Knowledge of home food production and adopted practices.
Goal 6: Youth will gain consumer knowledge of fruits, vegetables, as well as animal sciences through participation in “hands-on” programs.
Goal 7: Change awareness, knowledge, opinions, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed choices in the Home and Community Environment
Goal 8: An increase in awareness of Master Gardener program
Goal 9: Increase awareness of community projects supported by the Master Gardeners
Goal 10: Awareness of the health benefits from buying locally at the Farmers Market
Goal 11: Increase in community support of walking and horseback riding trails
Goal 12: Youth will increase interest and engagement in 4-H science, engineering and technology.
Goal 13: Youth will learn new skills in 4-H science, engineering and technology programs.
Goal 14: Youth be introduced to careers in science, engineering and technology programs.
Goal 15: Teens will participate in science, engineering, and technology 4-H programs to acquire new skills.
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Increase in community involvement with healthier lifestyles by more opportunities for physical activity in the environment
Method: Follow-up surveys and observations of trail use
Timeline: Summer and ongoing
Indicator: Increase in community involvement in beautification of the environment both community and home
Method: Survey and community observation
Timeline: yearly
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Positive changes related to trails and community safety and appearance
Method: Follow-up, Surveys, observations
Timeline: Summer and ongoing
Initial Outcome:
Indicator: Clients will gain knowledge of practices to improve responsible gardening and landscaping that involves more efficient techniques and maintenance
Method: tracking of volunteer hours and monitoring of actual projects
Timeline: Summer and as appropriate
Indicator: Clients will develop more efficient ways to grow produce to add dollar value to amounts earned by farmers’ market plus value of home produce
Method: tracking of farmers’ market results, random sampling from individual families, and tracking of applicable volunteer hours
Timeline: Market season and primarily in summers
Indicator: Clients will change techniques to enhance a safer environment by changes in cultural practices in lawns and gardens to allow for a more environmentally safe way of production (measurable)
Method: Tracking of applicable volunteer hours and in-depth interviews with selected gardeners and homeowners to see the benefit of bmp’s
Timeline: Primarily spring and summer, June-Sept yearly
Indicator: The number of individuals involved in walking and riding trails
Method: Creation of walking trail map for Pike County.
Timeline: 2024 & 2025
Indicator: The number of youth participating and exhibiting knowledge of agriculture through 4-H projects and judging activities
Method: Tracking 4 H youths in their activities
Timeline: March through August, yearly
Indicator: The number of individuals attending workshops and demos to gain knowledge of fruit and vegetable production
Method: Follow-up to determine use of training
Timeline: Primarily January through April yearly, and as needed
Audience: Forest Owners and Community
Project or Activity: Shiitake Mushrooms & Ginseng
Content or Curriculum: UK Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Volunteers
Date: Spring & Fall
Audience: Farmers, Gardeners, Interested Community Members
Project or Activity: Farmers Market
Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Production, Processing, Value Added
Inputs: Agents, Master Gardeners, Farmers, Community Members, & Local Chefs
Date: Primarily summer and fall, yearly
Audience: Community
Project or Activity: Micro-processing curriculum, PBPT, All Samples, State & National Certifications
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Frankfort
Date: Primarily Jan – May or as needed, yearly
Audience: Community
Project or Activity: SR Vouchers, WIC Vouchers, SNAP, Health Services
Content or Curriculum: KDA and Federal Requirements
Inputs: KDA, Agent, Farmers Market, Local Health care providers
Date: Spring – applications; summer/fall – double dollars, etc.
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Master Gardener Program
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Training
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, University personnel
Date: Fall 2021-2024 (monthly meetings and trainings)
Audience: Adults
Project or Activity: Master Gardener Meetings
Content or Curriculum: UK materials/programs
Inputs: Agents, volunteers, University personnel
Date: March – December, yearly
Audience: Adults from across the county
Project or Activity: Greater Appalachian Trail & the Pike Energy Trail
Content or Curriculum: As needed
Inputs: Agents, Forestry Dept., Health Dept., County Judge's office, Fish and Wildlife, Core of Engineers
Date: as needed
Audience: Hikers
Project or Activity: Bob Amos Trail
Content or Curriculum: UK materials
Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Master Gardeners
Date: Primarily spring through fall, year round
Audience: Hikers/children
Project or Activity: Grants Park Trail
Content or Curriculum: As needed
Inputs: Agents, Master Gardeners, Forestry Dept., County
Date: Primarily spring though fall, yearly
Audience: Homeowners
Project or Activity: Landscaping Workshop
Content or Curriculum: UK materials
Inputs: Master Gardeners, UK specialists, Agents
Date: Advice and classes in the fall, year round
Audience: Individual Homeowners
Project: Fruit & Vegetable Production Workshops
Content or Curriculum: UK materials
Inputs: Master Gardeners, UK Specialists, Agents
Date: Primarily Jan and Feb yearly and needed by farmers
Audience: Forest owners and community
Project or Activity: Shiitake Mushrooms & other forest products
Content or Curriculum: UK Curriculum
Inputs: Agents, specialists, volunteers
Date: Spring / Fall
Audience: 4-H Age Youth 9-19
Project or Activity: Science, Engineering and Technology
Content or Curriculum: Bicycle Safety, Electricity, ATV Curriculum, Small Engines & Carteens
Inputs: National 4-H Council Project Books, Project Camps, Project Groups and Self-Directed Projects
Date: Spring 2021-2024
Audience: General population
Project/Activity: Pike County FCS Council walking project
Content or curriculum: Creating a usable map of safe walking spaces in the county.
Inputs: FCS council, county government, YMCA, school systems, county residents
Date: Spring 2025
