Owen County CES

Title:

Market, Technology, Horticulture, Livestock, Wildlife, Management Development

MAP:

Sustainable Production and Marketing of Agriculture Products

Agents Involved:

FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Horticulture, Commercial

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Wildlife Habitat and Damage Management Education

Situation:

Located in the center of the "Golden Triangle," Owen County is within an hour's drive of the major urban markets of Cincinnati, Louisville and Lexington. Owen County is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the emerging direct marketing, locally sourced food movement. A growing number of vegetable, fruit, berry and cut-flower producers are marketing their products in farmers markets in these urban centers. New technologies are being tested and demonstrated to increase production, improve quality and bring produce to market earlier.

Long-Term Outcomes:

* Successful home and commercial projects will serve as models and teaching tools for others

* Increased home horticulture production will result in family food dollars saved and healthier meals

* Commercial producers will have increased profitability due to improved production and marketing

* Increase home horticulture in and around the home for families

Intermediate Outcomes:

* Participants will begin implements new technologies to increase or enhance harvest

* Participants will begin exploring new marketing outlets

* Participants will begin making changes in practices around the home 

Initial Outcomes:

* Participants will be exposed to a variety of productions methods such as raised beds, plastic mulching, high tunnels, drip irrigation, greenhouses and hydroponics

* Participants will explore various marketing options such as roadside marketing, farmers markets, marketing to wholesalers and internet marketing.

* Participants will explore ways to change their home surrounding

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increased awareness of improved production technologies and marketing opportunities

Indicator: Number of individuals reporting changes in knowledge, opinions, skills or aspirations related to home and commercial horticulture

Method: pre/post-tests, phone conversations

Timeline: April-May  (2020-2025)

Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of new technologies and participation in new marketing opportunities

Indicator: Number of producers utilizing new technologies and marketing opportunities introduced by Extension

Method: Phone calls, Home and farm visits, questionnaires

Timeline: June (2020-2025)

Long-term Outcome: New horticulture production systems which are profitable serve as teaching tools for others

Indicator: Number of homeowners and producers self-reporting an increase in profits as a result of adopting one or more practices recommended by Extension

Method: Surveys, home, and farm visits

Timeline: Ongoing (2020-2025)

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Current and potential home gardeners

Project or Activity: Home Gardening Class

Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations

Inputs: UK Consumer Horticulture Specialist, video presentation,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: March (2020-2025)

Audience: Current and potential commercial horticulture producers

Project or Activity: Commercial Greenhouse Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations

Inputs: UK Horticulture Specialists, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, farm visits,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: May (2020-2025)

Audience: Commercial Horticulture producers

Project or Activity: Sharing new marketing opportunities with producers

Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations

Inputs: Newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, farm visits,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: Ongoing (2020-2025)

Audience:  Home Owners, Woodlot Owners, and Commercial Producers

Project or Activity: Beginning and Intermediate Beekeeping Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Research-based information, U.K. publications

Inputs: KDA and State Beekeeping Association Representatives, Newsletters, Direct Mailing, Newspaper articles,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: September (2020-2025)

Audience: Landowners with woodlots

Project or Activity: Marketing Forest Products Webinar

Content or Curriculum: Research-based webinar presentations

Inputs: UK Forestry Specialists, U.K. publications, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: October (2020-2025)

Audience: Landowners with woodlots

Project or Activity: Shiitake Mushroom Production Training

Content or Curriculum: Research-based video presentations

Inputs: UK Forestry Specialists, U.K. publications, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: November (2020-2025)

Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Home Horticulture 

Content or Curriculum: Research-based approved publications and presentations

Inputs: Northern KY Horticulture Extension Agents,  FCS Agent, 4-H Agent, ANR Agent, Program Assistant, NEP/SNAP assistants

Date: February (2020-2025)

Success Stories