Extension
It Starts With Us
Horticulture
24-25 Horticulture
Jason Phillips, Catherine Webster, Nancy Doyle
Horticulture, Commercial
Master Gardener
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Local Food Systems
Situation: Consumers have grown increasingly cognoscente of food safety and improving overall health while demanding fresh, quality food products. These factors have fueled the local food movement across Kentucky and in Simpson County. Producers require more programming opportunities to continue to supply this need and improve upon their products and profitability. Additionally, home production has increased to meet food needs for local families.
Long-term Outcomes: Consumers will improve their health and add stability to the local economy by purchasing locally grown food products which will increase producer profits. Homeowners will save money and improve health by improving horticultural production practices.
Intermediate Outcomes: Producers will improve practices and adopt new technology to increase the overall efficiency of the production process for various local horticultural products. Commercial producers will put into practice strategic marketing plans to help promote local products which will continue to increase the demand among consumers for farm fresh foods.
Initial Outcome: Producers will increase their knowledge in vegetable, small and tree fruit, local meat production, and non-food horticultural products. They will be better prepared to take, follow, and implement UK soil test fertility management recommendations, understand integrated pest management techniques, select disease resistant and higher yielding varieties, make timely plantings and pesticide applications, utilize sustainable management practices, research new technologies and alternative production techniques, improve marketing strategies, and understand how to implement the best overall production system for their specific farming operation. Individuals will increase their knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety and food resource management.
Outcome: Commercial horticultural producers will increase knowledge and develop plans, execute plans, and increase profitability. Homeowners will improve practices, health and increase savings.
Indicator: The number of producers indicating knowledge, practice, and increased profitability.
Method: Post-meeting evaluations
Timeline: Evaluations will be given immediately following programs and one to twenty for months after programs.
Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):
Audience: Franklin-Simpson Farmers’ Market Vendors
Project or Activity: Franklin-Simpson Farmers’ Market
Content or Curriculum: production and marketing education, F-S Farmers’ Market promotional events, food safety education
Inputs: Agents’ time, paid staff, meeting facility, UK publications, KDA resources, newsletters, radio programs
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Community Gardening
Project or Activity: Container Garden Kits and Educational Videos
Content or Curriculum: food production education, nutrition
Inputs: Agents, UK publications, Tractor Supply Co., School District, Video Equipment and Editing Software
Date: April - June 2025
Audience: Farm Tour
Project or Activity: take Simpson County residents to various agritourism venues in nearby counties
Content or Curriculum: horticultural production involving flowers and foods
Inputs: Agents, UK publications, charter bus
Date: June 2025
Audience: Small and Mid-sized fruit producers and homeowners
Project or Activity: Fruit tree workshop
Content or Curriculum: pruning and production
Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, UK specialists, UK publications, newsletters, radio programs
Date: March 2025
Audience: Commercial Food Producers
Project or Activity: Commercial Food Production Educational Programs
Content or Curriculum: fertility, marketing, high tunnels, production methods, integrated pest management
Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, meeting facilities, UK specialists, newsletters, radio programs
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Audience: Youth
Project of Activity: 4-H Gardening & Homesteading Clubs
Content or Curriculum: Hands-on demonstrations teaching how to & allowing youth to plant, maintain, harvest, and market garden produce
Inputs: Agents, paid staff, video equipment and software, Farmers' Market, Simpson Co. Schools Community Education
Date: July 2024-June 2025
Audience: 4-H Members
Project or Activity: Horticulture Judging and Jr. Forestry Field Day
Content or Curriculum: State Fair Guidelines
Inputs: Mammoth Cave National Park & Employees, UK Specialists, Extension Agents & Offices, 4-H Parents & Volunteers, Community Businesses related to Horticulture
Date: July-September 2024
Audience: Extension Homemakers
Project or Activity: UK Horticulture information
Content or Curriculum: Extension materials
Inputs: Agent led, train-the trainer for clubs, food and nutrition information
Date: April 2025
Audience: Master Gardener Graduates
Project or Activity: Community Horticulture Project
Content or Curriculum: Local Food Systems
Inputs: Agent time, Master Gardener volunteer time, food and nutrition information, radio, newsletters
Date: 2024-2025 program year
Author: Jason Phillips
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Fresh food accessibility can be minimal when operating on a limited budget. This can be especially true without knowledge of how to properly grow and prepare fresh food products. Residents of the Franklin Housing Authority expressed an interest in learning more about growing fresh vegetables, proper gardening techniques and utilization of fresh vegetables in recipes. In response, the Simpson County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Simpson County NEP Ass
