Commercial HorticulturePlan of Work
Metcalfe County CES
Title:
Commercial Horticulture
MAP:
Ag Awareness, Production and Marketing
Agents Involved:
Bell, Blankenship
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Commercial Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Commercial Horticulture - Crop Marketing
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Farmer's Markets
Situation:
The Metcalfe County Ag Advisory Council has identified Commercial Horticulture as a Priority. There are many established fruit and vegetable operations in the county as well as operations that are new or in the establishment stage. Metcalfe County leads the state in the number of blueberry farms. Over 20 producers have constructed high tunnels as a result of the USDA EQUIP grant program. Orchards, nurseries and horticultural field crops can be seen throughout the landscape of the county. In order for these operations to remain sustainable, producers must be able to efficiently produce high yields, high quality and have a marketing plan that will allow them to be profitable.
Long-Term Outcomes:
Long-term Out Producers will increase yields, extend the growing season, realize a positive net income and continue to make a profit growing horticultural crops in Metcalfe County.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Producers of fruits and vegetables will use Best Management Practices, Integrated Pest Management, Variety and Yield Data and University of KY Recommendations in the production and marketing of commercial horticultural crops.
Initial Outcomes:
Producers of horticultural crops will learn what they can do in the future to improve commercial operations by using research based information and recommended practices in their fruit and vegetable operations
Evaluation:
Initial Outcome:
Indicator:Survey
Method: Increased Knowledge
Timeline: Fall/Winter
Intermediate Outcome:
Indicator: Changed Practices
Method: Farm Visits/ Observation
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator: Profitability
Method: Survey
Timeline: Ongoing
Learning Opportunities:
Audience: Vegetable Producers
Project or Activity: High Tunnel/ Vegetable Short Course
Content or Curriculum: UK Research
Inputs: Agents, Specialists, UK Publications
Date: Winter 2018
Audience: Fruit Producers
Project or Activity: Pruning Field Day
Content or Curriculum: UK Research
Inputs:Specialist
Date: Winter 2018
Audience: Fruit and Vegetable Producers
Project or Activity: Metcalfe County Farmer's Market
Content or Curriculum: KDA Farmer's Market Manual and Guidelines
Inputs:Agents
Date: April - October
Success Stories
Intro to High Tunnel Production class and Metcalfe County farm tours
Author: Lynn Blankenship
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Many people in Kentucky are learning about the seasonal high tunnel initiative grant program, through the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDA and in Metcalfe County, over a dozen producer farmers have taken advantage of that grant program and are now producing fruits and vegetables year-round, with the aid of unheated hoop houses also known as high tunnels and some that have been converted to seasonally heated greenhouses. With so many producers and hobby farmers inquiring a
Full Story
High Tunnels
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
Many people in Kentucky are learning about the seasonal high tunnel initiative grant program, through the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the USDA and in Metcalfe County, over a dozen produce farmers have taken advantage of that grant program and are now producing fruits and vegetables year-round, with the aid of unheated hoop houses also known as high tunnels and some that have been converted to seasonally heated greenhouses. With so many producers and hobby farmers inquiring ab
Full Story
Fruit Pruining Workshop
Author: Gary Bell
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
It was discovered during a Cooperative Extension Service program planning meeting, attended by the Monroe County Cooperative Extension Service Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Metcalfe County Cooperative Extension Service Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources , and the Barren County Cooperative Extension Service Agent for Horticulture, that each of these counties had fruit producers that had been requesting information and assistance with proper pruning methods and correct prun
Full Story
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- Lexington, KY 40546-0091
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