Bullitt County CES

Title:

Master Gardener

MAP:

Home & Consumer Horticulture/Master Gardener

Agents Involved:

Lorilee George

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Master Gardener

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Kentucky Extension Leadership Development (KELD)

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Environmental Sustainability & Responsibility

Situation:

Bullitt County is a rapidly urbanizing county with diminishing traditional agriculture. This continual rapid increase in the suburban population in Bullitt County is resulting in a steady decrease in the agricultural utilization of its land. As a result, education and information in the fields of home horticulture and urban gardening is severely lacking in suburban areas. Due to this dynamic there is an increasing need for educational assistance on home and garden issues throughout the Southeastern states.

There is an increasing need for educated volunteers to assist agents in servicing the growing local demand for home and garden sector information.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Extending the outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service by improving gardening and communication skills of Master Gardeners, thus creating a pool of volunteers with the abilities and willingness to apply their gardening skills in leading and educating the public through community education projects and activities

Certified Master Gardeners will gain knowledge, skills and confidence by teaching other Bullitt County residents.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Increased number of volunteers involved in actively repaying volunteer hours.
Increased number of Volunteer hours served by MG graduates.
Increased number of classes, lectures or workshops delivered by MG graduates.
Increased number of MG graduates utilizing environmentally friendly (IPM) techniques.
Increased number of class Participants that: will start soil testing before planting/fertilization, will construct more efficient and functional landscapes, increase gardening for those with physical limitations, participants reduce stress through gardening, increased social activities for participants through gardening and Extension.

Initial Outcomes:

Increased number of volunteers participating in MG classes.
Increased number of volunteers mastering MG curriculum with a final exam score of >/= 75%.
Participants gain increased knowledge of good agricultural practices.
Participants gain knowledge of the importance of soil testing.
Participants will improve their current skills and gain knowledge in many aspects of home horticulture.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Participants gain knowledge of how to plant more functional and efficient landscapes and gardens
Indicator: Pre/post survey
Method: Written
Timeline: Monthly

Initial Outcome: Participants gain knowledge about identifying insects
Indicator: Pre/Post Test
Method: Written
Timeline: Monthly

Initial Outcome: Participants gain knowledge about proper soil testing and fertilization
Indicator: Pre/Post Test
Method: Written
Timeline: October

Intermediate Outcome: Participants follow through with soil test and amend soil properly
Indicator: Soil test submission and follow up phone call
Method: Written and oral
Timeline: Spring 2016

Long Term Outcome: Participants continues to monitor soil health and use integrated methods to improve soil health
Indicator: Repeated soil testing and follow up
Method: Written and oral
Timeline: On Going

Intermediate Outcome: Participants will be able to select tree varieties for home plantings. They will gain better fruit tree management skills.
Indicator: Tree plantings and health of est. trees
Method: Observed and verbal
Timeline: Yearly

Long Term Outcome: Participants adopt skills to improve their lives.
Indicator: Data received from participants and leaders
Method: Written evaluations and leader feedback
Timeline: July-June

Initial Outcome: Master Gardeners Certification
Indicator: Standardized test score
Method: written
Timeline: Yearly

Intermediate Outcome: Master Gardeners Continuing Education
Indicator: ability to teach others
Method: observed
Timeline: periodically

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Residents of Bullitt County
Activity: Master Gardeners’ Certification Training
Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs, local experts, Master Gardeners Handbook/Manual
Inputs: Various plants and demonstrative materials, Extension Agents, State Specialists, State Master Gardener Coordinator Rick Durham
Date: Fall (LG)

Audience: Residents of Bullitt County
Activity: Advanced Master Gardener Courses
Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs, local experts, Master Gardeners Handbook/Manual
Inputs: Various plants and demonstrative materials, Extension Agents, State Master Gardener Coordinator Rick Durham
Date: Fall (LG)