Extension
It Starts With Us
Commercial and Homeowner Horticulture Education
Enhancing Commercial & Consumer Hort. Advancement
Kara Back
Local Food Systems
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Commercial Horticulture
Farmer's Markets
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.
Having a sustainable Farmers' Market.
Homeowners are maintaining a healthy and beautiful landscape.
Homeowners will implement best management practices to ensure a bountiful harvest.
Citizens have access to more local foods.
More households 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.
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 and new technologies.
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: Class Series: Varieties, Plasticulture, Equipment and Financial Inputs, Harvesting, GAP & Marketing
Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, UK Publications from: http://www.uky.edu/hort/documents-list-commercial-vegetable
Inputs: UK Specialists, Additional Horticulture Agents, Commercial Vegetable Growers, & Myself
Date: November 2017
Audience: Small-Scale Commercial Fruit Tree Producers
Project or Activity: Class Series: Tree Selection, Grafting, Planting, Fertilizing, Spray Schedule, Pruning, Harvesting, & Marketing
Content or Curriculum: Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide, UK Publications from: http://www.uky.edu/hort/document-list-home-fruit, & http://www.uky.edu/hort/documents-list-commercial-fruit-nut
Inputs: UK Specialists, Additional Horticulture Agents, & Myself
Date: February 2018
Audience: Homeowners
Project or Activity: Tree / Shrub Pruning Class
Content or Curriculum: HO-45 & HO-59
Inputs: Local Landscape Services & Myself
Date: January 2018
Audience: Farmers & Residents of Taylor and Surrounding Counties
Project or Activity: Organic / Sustainable Agriculture Seminar - enhance awareness of organic and sustainable agriculture
Content or Curriculum: UK Organic Publications
Inputs: UK Specialists & County Agents
Date: January 2018
Audience: Residents of Taylor & Surrounding Counties
Project or Activity: Farmers' Market Opening Day Container Garden Class
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky Guide
Inputs: Farmers' Market Manager, Farmers' Market Vendors, & Myself
Date: April 2018
Audience: Adults & Children Living within 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 & Myself
Date: July 2017 - June 2018 - Adult & Children Classes 3rd Monday & 3rd Wednesday of every month
Audience: Residents of Taylor & Surrounding Counties
Project or Activity: Floral Design Class
Content or Curriculum: The AIFD Guide to Floral Design
Inputs: Florists & Myself
Date: November 2017 & March 2018
Audience: Families of Taylor County
Project or Activity: Camp Wonderopolis at the Campbellsville Library
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky & 4011 - Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
Inputs: Library Faculty and Staff, EFNEP, & Myself
Date: July 2017
Audience: Residents of Taylor & Surrounding Counties
Project or Activity: Farmers' Market Health Fair
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky & SNAP-ED Resources
Inputs: Taylor County Health Department, Farmers' Market Association, Inc. of Taylor County, & Myself
Date: July 2017
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, & forestry specialists
Date: April - August 2017
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum
The Taylor County 4–H Club had their first Horticulture Judging Team this year. The purpose of forming this team was to utilize another method to increase horticulture interest within the youth of Taylor County, by providing them a fun, educational experience. The horticulture agent worked alongside with the 4-H agent to design, coordinate, and conduct practice session for the horticulture contestants. A total of 5 junior contestants and 1 senior contestant participated in 2 practices each
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Sustainable Agriculture
There have been some producers in Taylor County who recently began the process of becoming certified organic. One producer has a dairy, and the other is growing organic forage crops. One of the producers stressed an importance of obtaining knowledge before and during the process would have been beneficial to him. The horticulture agent collaborated with him, the Taylor County ANR agent, and the Green and Adair ANR Agents in the development of an organic conference to educate individuals interest
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
This spring the Taylor Co. Extension Office partnered with The Healing Place Recovery Center to provide a raised bed for the individuals served by the center. It was brought to the horticulture agent’s attention that due to preplanned meals the individuals served by the facility lacked fresh vegetables in their diet. The horticulture agent worked with the EPNEP assistant to create a one day educational training on the construction of a raised bed, the planting of suitable plants within the
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The horticulture agent of Taylor County has been working with the Campbellsville Housing Community Center to provide horticulture education to residents who utilize their facilities. The agent was asked to do a program there, and then was asked to continue to provide educational classes each month. The agent teaches both an adult and a children’s program. Last month a container garden class was taught where participants planted tomatoes for themselves and/or their families. Fresh frui
