McCreary County CES

Title:

Horticulture

MAP:

Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources

Agents Involved:

Whitis

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Home & Consumer Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Master Gardener

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Commercial Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Farmer's Markets

Situation:

According to Kentucky Ag Statistics Service McCreary County ranks 110th out of the 120 counties in total agriculture receipts which were $105,400,000 in 2010. We have no tobacco and approximately 50 acres of grain. We have a beef/forage based agriculture situation. There is a need for education the horticulture industry. Our Farmers Market is two years old and slowly to grow. Interest has picked up in the production of small fruits and vegetables to sell to local citizens. Citizens of the county can also participate in the Grow Appalachia program. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

McCreary County farmers and gardeners are able to help sustain their agricultural operation by being profitable giving them a better quality of life and producing local foods for themselves and the community.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Horticulture producers will become better stewards of their horticulture enterprises thus increasing income or reducing expenses. Commercial Horticultural producers will continue to expand in size and numbers and will bring people to McCreary County to purchase their produce. Home gardeners will produce better quality and more produce through the use of recommended practices thus reducing the dollars that must be spent of food.

Initial Outcomes:

Producers will gain knowledge in the following areas; alternative crops, marketing, and safety. Commercial horticulture producers will become informed on current and new production practices that will make them more profitable. Home gardeners will gain knowledge about composting, raised beds, weed, disease and insect control, and food preservation. Home and commercial fruit producers will gain knowledge on small and large fruit.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Production of commercial horticulture will expand.

Indicator: Number of acres in commercial horticulture production, amount sold through the Farmers Market, number of gardens through Grow Appalachia

Method: Surveys and farm visits

Timeline: March - October

Outcome: Home gardeners becoming more knowledgeable.

Indicator: Number attending raised bed field day, number of raised beds constructed

Method: Surveys and observations

Timeline: March - October

Outcome: Farmers Market

Indicator: Number of sellers, amount of money taken in,

Method: surveys, attendance at market, observations

Timeline: May-October

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Farmers, homeowners, and youth.

Activity: Apple Grafting Workshop

Content or Curriculum: How to graft apple trees

Date: March

Audience: Farmers, homeowners, and youth.

Activity: Conduct fruit pruning workshop

Content or Curriculum: How properly prune fruit crops

Date: March

Audience: Farmers, Gardeners

Activity: Grow Appalachia

Content or Curriculum: Monthly meetings with gardeners

Date: January - October

Audience: Farmers and public

Activity: Farmers Market

Content or Curriculum: Open and operate a Farmers Market

Date: May - October

Audience: Farmers, homeowners, and youth.

Activity: Newsletters, social media and News articles

Content or Curriculum: All Agriculture Topics

Date: July -June