Extension
It Starts With Us
2024 Horticulture
Thriving Individuals, Strong Families
Matt Chadwick
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Master Gardener
Food Preparation and Preservation
As the population of Calloway County continues to grow, there continues to be a large influx of citizens relocating from larger cities and states across the nation. Both new and existing residents of our community are not aware of the type of horticulture plants that will grow in the region, nor how to grow and manage them. Also, many of Calloway County small scale farmers have found that growing and selling fruit, vegetables, 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. As both of these people groups continue to grow the need for extension and our resources is reflected.
As the number of growers and vendors of locally grown produce rise, it is important for families and individuals to have a solid foundation of nutrition knowledge, skills and competencies in topics such as food safety, handling and preparation, cooking methods and techniques, and food preservation.
-Home owners will use best management practices to improve landscaping which will lead to more attractive and pleasing, suburbs, communities, and the county as a whole.
-Farmers, small scale farmers, and home owners will know how to best use their land for a supplemental income though farmers' markets or for producing their own food.
-The Calloway County Master Gardener Organization will increase the educational opportunities provided to citizens of Calloway County.
-Individuals and families will routinely employ healthy dietary practices that promote health and wellness (e.g. consume recommended daily fruits and vegetables and improve food management skills using locally grown produce)
-Horticulturist will soil test, utilize proper plant nutrition and variety selection.
-Farmers and small farmers will utilize strategic management techniques and marketing to improve net return.
-Home owners will be able to reap the benefits of growing their own food.
-Master Gardeners will complete the certification process in a timely manner
-Generate positive attitudes toward changing dietary decisions to be more healtful
-Increase intake of fruits, vegetables, and other nutrient-dense foods
-Employ healthful cooking methods, feeding practices and food preservation techiques
-Increase access to healthy food via local farmers market, small farms and/or home gardens
-Producers, and home owners will obtain knowledge of soil types, soil testing, nutritional needs of specific crops, variety selection, planting, IPM, weed control and the need to have a effective marketing plan.
-Improve food and nutrition-related skills (e.g. gardening, preparation and preservation techniques, safe food handling, food resource management)
Initial Outcome: Producers will obtain knowledge of soil types, soil testing, nutritional needs of specific crops, variety selection, planting, IPM, weed control and the need to have a effective marketing plan.
Indicator: Attractive landscapes, Increase # of home gardens, and increased # of vendors at farmers' market.
Method: Sample survey of those calling upon the agent for resources and consultation.
Timeline: 2024
Intermediate Outcome: Horticulturist will soil test, utilize proper plant nutrition and variety selection.
Farmers and small farmers will utilize strategic management techniques and marketing to improve net return. Home owners will be able to reap the benefits of growing their own food.
Indicator: Number of soil test, publications, and insect Id forms from interested clientele
Method: sample survey of those calling upon the agent for resources and consultation
Timeline: 2024-2026
Long-term Outcome: Home owners will use best management practices to improve landscaping which will lead to more attractive and pleasing, suburbs, communities, and the entire county as a whole. Farmers, small scale farmers, and home owners will know how to best use their land for a supplemental income though farmers' markets or food.
Indicator: amount of publications and education material distributed throughout the county.
Method: analysis of materials being distributed
Timeline: 2024-2026
Outcome: Nutrition knowledge, skills and competencies
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: use knowledge and skills to improve food-shopping management; utilize the food label to make healthy food choices, choosing smaller portions; increased food preservation knowledge; demonstrated recommended food preservation practices
Method: Self-report surveys; specific curricula or program evaluations
Timeline: Pre-post implementing of the curricula or program
Outcome: Preparing and preserving food
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: preparing more home-cooked meals; modifying ingredients and/or preparation techniques to improve nutrition
Method: Self-report surveys; specific curricula or program evaluations
Timeline: Pre-post implementing of the curricula or program
Outcome: Availability and access to healthy food
Indicator: Number of individuals who reported: utilizing delivery systems/access points (e.g. farmers' markets, WIC, food pantries) that offer healthy foods; supplementing diets with healthy foods grown or preserved (e.g. community or backyard gardens, farmers markets); number of pints of foods preserved through water bath canning, pressure canning, freezing and drying.
Method: Self-report survey
Timeline: Pre-post implementing of the curricula or program
Audience: Citizens of Calloway County
Project or Activity: Horticulture Tuesday night Talks
Content or Curriculum: Basic Gardening Techniques
Inputs: Agent time, Master Gardner Volunteers publications, basic materials, seed
Date: Monthly, On-Going
Audience: Purchase/Calloway County Horticulture Producers
Project or Activity: Using High tunnels
Content or Curriculum: Extending your growing season
Date: To be Determined.
Audience: Calloway County Master Gardener Interns
Project or Activity: Master Gardner Course
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardner Curriculum
Inputs: Agent time, basic materials, seed
Date: 2024-2026
Audience: General Public
Project or Activity: Newspaper and Newsletter Articles
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky Programming
Inputs: CES Publications, eXtension Resources,
Date: Monthly (Newspaper), Quarterly (Newsletter)
Audience: Citizens of Calloway County
Education: Environmentally Friendly Home Lawn, Garden, and Landscape care.
Content: Soil testing, lawn care, weed ID, and control, Insect ID and control
Date: Summer 2024
Audience: Calloway County Community
Project or Activity: Farmers Market Outreach
Content or Curriculum: Plate it Up! Kentucky Proud resources, Farmers Market Toolkit, cooking programs
Inputs: Nutrition Education Program (NEP), paid staff, grant funds, facilities, Kentucky Department of Agriculture
Date: April - October/Growing seasons 2024-2026
Audience: Families and Individuals of Calloway County
Project or Activity: Food Preservation
Content or Curriculum: Publications, Trainings, Home-Based Micro-Processing Training, Champion Food Volunteers
Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, facilities, programmatic materials, NEP
Date: July - September for adults and youth 2024-2026
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