Extension
It Starts With Us
Commercial and Home Horticulture Production
Agriculture Enhancement and Sustainability
Maggie Forsee, Christy Eastwood, and Joyce Doyle
Local Food Systems
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Active Living and Health Promotions General
Agriculture
According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Carroll County has 308 farms consisting of 50,908 total acres (58.06% of the total county acreage). The market value of products sold was reported to be $5,811,000. Crop sales contributed 57.63% ($3,349,000) of the total value. Approximately $1,281,000 of those crop sales are a result of nursery and greenhouse crops.
The National Agriculture Statistic Service (NASS) reports the following farms and acreage (if available) in horticulture production:
Vegetables: 12 farms (18 acres)
Fruits: 8 farms (8 acres)
Berries: 2 farms
Horticulture production is an important element of agriculture production in Carroll County, as it has been another opportunity to diversify from traditional crop and livestock production. Managing this area of production correctly is essential to the success of other production systems in the county, as well as environmental protection.
A 2018 National Gardening Survey indicated that 77% of American households garden in some way. Recent trends indicate that more and more Americans are growing their own food (35% of households) while interests in ornamentals remains high, particularly in the area of gardening to support pollinators and other ecological uses of plants.
According to Carroll County’s ES-237 only 26 % of students live on a farm. With that being said, it would be obvious that these students would need to be taught where there food comes from and the impact that agriculture has on his/her daily life.
Agriculture representatives of the County Extension Council, County Agricultural Development Council, and Riverview Farmers’ Market, as well as day-to-day clientele, have identified best management practices, agriculture awareness, and marketing as priorities for Extension programming in Commercial and Home Horticulture Production.
- Increase profits for commercial horticulture producers, including the members of the Riverview Farmers' Market.
- Increase access to fresh local produce by local residents.
- Minimize the environmental impact on air, soil, and water from commercial horticulture operations and home horticulture.
- Carroll County youth will be agriculturally literate.
- Carroll County youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services.
- Carroll County youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.
- Producers adopt best management practices to improve crop yield and quality.
- Increased use of Extension diagnostic services (soil testing, plant/disease/insect identification, farm/home visits).
- Carroll County youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.
- Carroll County youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.
- Carroll County youth plan and implement an agriculture project in commercial and home horticulture production
- Producers and homeowners will increase knowledge about:
- Utilizing testing and diagnostic services to improve management and production.
- Recordkeeping and financial management in commercial operations.
- Available resources to assist with marketing products.
- Available resources to assist with home gardening/landscaping.
- Integrated pest management.
- Proper horticulture production practices.
- Carroll County youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science.
- Carroll County youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
- Carroll County youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.
Outcome:
Long term
Indicator:
Increase in horticulture crop cash receipts. Increase in the number of consumers of the Riverview Farmers Market. Increase in redemption rates for Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SrFMNP) and Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP).
Method:
NASS information from the Kentucky Field Office—County summary given for each year. Surveys of the members of the Riverview Farmers Market. Yearly county SrFMNP and FMNP redemption reports from Kentucky Department of Agriculture.
Timeline:
2 – 4 years
Outcome:
Intermediate
Indicator:
Increased use of Extension diagnostic services. Feedback from Riverview Farmers’ Market members. Increase in the number of Carroll County youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture programming.
Method:
Record of diagnostic services requested. Surveys of Riverview Farmers’ Market members. 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey.
Timeline:
1 – 2 years
Outcome:
Initial
Indicator:
Increased participation in educational workshops and classes.
Method:
Attendance Sheets
Timeline:
6 months – 2 years
Audience:
Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers
Activity:
First Fridays
Content or Curriculum:
Plate It Up! recipes and materials, Demonstrations with fresh produce
Inputs:
Extension Agents, Staff Assistant, Riverview Farmer’s Market members, Carroll County Extension Homemakers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), SNAP-Ed Incentives, Farmers Market Toolkit, Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time, Money
Date:
June/July/August/September 2024
June/July/August/September 2025
Audience:
Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers
Activity:
Farmer’s Market Demonstrations and Sampling
Content or Curriculum:
Demonstrations held during Farmers Market hours, working with fresh produce
Inputs:
Extension Agents, Staff Assistant, Riverview Farmer’s Market members, Carroll County Extension Homemakers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), SNAP-Ed Incentives, Farmers Market Toolkit, Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time, Money
Date:
Summer and fall 2024/2025
Audience:
Carroll County Horticulture Producers
Activity:
Produce Best Practices Training (PBPT)
Content or Curriculum:
PBPT video
Inputs:
Extension Agent, UK Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time
Date:
April 2024/2025, as needed with new producers
Audience:
Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers
Activity:
Farm to Table Dinner
Content or Curriculum:
Spotlight and raise awareness of Riverview Farmers’ Market
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Riverview Farmer’s Market members, Time, Money
Date:
July 2025
Audience:
Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers
Activity:
Educational Material (Publications, etc.) Made Available
Content or Curriculum:
Recipes, handling procedures, etc.
Inputs:
Extension Agents, Staff Assistant, Extension Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time
Date:
All throughout the year
Audience:
Carroll County 4-H Youth (Ages 5-19)
Activity:
Creating Desert Dishes, Terrariums, Hanging Baskets, Herbs
Content or Curriculum:
UK Publications
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Carroll County Volunteers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time, Money
Date:
May 2025
Audience:
Carroll County 4-H Youth (Ages 5-19)
Activity:
Creating a Pollination Garden and Vegetables Gardens
Content or Curriculum:
UK Publications, UK Bee Ambassador Program
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Carroll County Volunteers, UK Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time, Money
Date:
Fall 2024
Fall 2025
Audience:
Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers
Activity:
Development of the Horticulture Portion of the County Website
Content or Curriculum:
Online information pertaining to horticulture production
Inputs:
Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time
Date:
All throughout the year
Audience:
Adults
Activity:
Plant seeds in the container gardens at the Extension Office.
Inputs:
FCS Agent, volunteers, outside resources
Date:
June, July, August 2024
June, July, August 2025
