Extension
It Starts With Us
Production Horticulture, Horticulture Professions Development and Problem Solving
Commercial Horticulture Advancement
Smith
Farmer's Markets
Commercial Horticulture - Landscape Ecosystems
Commercial Horticulture - Crop Marketing
Sustainable Agriculture
Agriculture continues to be a strong force in Nelson County. In 2012 the U. S. Agriculture Census stated that nearly 70% of the county was in farm land, equaling 1300 farms. Nelson County farmers boast nearly $68,000,000 in goods and services sold in 2012. While a great majority of production is still traditional agriculture the popularity of local grown produce continues to show strong demand among many demographics. Fifty four percent of vegetables and fruits are consumed fresh and each person consumes nearly 700 pounds of produce annually. If each of our 45,000 citizens consumes their average portion there would be a direct need for at least 15,000,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables. We currently produce nowhere near those quantities locally. Consequently, there seems to be enormous potential for growth and farm income with the addition of fruit and vegetables into the farm crop rotation. However, nontraditional crops are considered to have a hard learning curve. We feel that this curve can be significantly flattened through more educational opportunities and demonstrations.
The same can be said for our commercial horticulture services sector. An aging and growing population will put more demands on an already strained service industry. In 15 years Nelson County will see a 56% increase in our population 65 years of age and older and the overall population growth will increase by 30%. This indicates a need for more training for horticulture professionals. Qualified, skilled and profitable horticulture professionals will translate into increased property values for the community.
• To increase the confidence, skills, and longevity of those in the population that desire to enter the arena of commercial horticulture.
• More acreage of non-traditional crops will be planted.
• Service industry will strengthen their coalitions and place emphasis on education and efficiency
• More farm located roadside markets will appear and thrive.
See an increased demand for willing to purchase and use locally produced fruit and vegetables
Number of commercial fruit and vegetable acres will increase.
Quality and quantity from each acre will increase.
Desirable landscape practices will become more commonplace.
A better understanding of marketing of product and self will prevail.
Better varieties of horticulture significant crops will be adopted.
What makes a quality product will be understood.
Growers will understand the importance of marketing.
Service providers will understand where to get reliable research based information.
Growers and Service providers will become more confident in problem solving and diagnosis of issues.
Initial Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Intermediate Outcome: All areas of commercial horticulture will see prosperity due to more marketing options, increased yield and quality, and a better understanding of how their operation functions.
Indicator: Progressively more difficult inquiries will be made, more acreage will be planted, and stability will occur.
Method: Surveys, group discussion, one on one, interaction, evaluation, monitoring of Ag, statistics, and number of horticulture business licenses granted.
Timeline: Following each educational event which happens throughout the year.
Long-term Outcome:
Indicator:
Method:
Timeline:
Audience: Nurserymen and Lawn care operators
Project or Activity: KY Turf and Ornamental Conference
Content or Curriculum: Varied and Thorough topics
Inputs: Transportation
Date: Annually in the Winter
Audience: Vegetable and Fruit Producers
Project or Activity: KY Vegetable Growers Winter Meeting
Content or Curriculum: Varied and Thorough topics
Inputs: Transportation
Date: Annually in the winter
Audience: Fruit and vegetable growers
Project or Activity: Good Agriculture Practices
Content or Curriculum: Food Safe handling
Inputs: Teaching
Date: Annually in the Spring
Audience: Farmers’ Market Vendors
Project or Activity: Farmers’ Market Fair
Content or Curriculum: Display and marketing workshop, Sampling demo and scale testing
Inputs: Teaching,
Date: Annually in the Spring
Audience: Farmers’ Market Vendors
Project or Activity: Farmers’ Market Nutritional Program Training
Content or Curriculum: Learn how to receive vouchers, rules pertaining etc.
Inputs: Teaching
Date: Annually in the Spring
Audience: Commercial Vegetable Growers
Project or Activity: Vegetable Field Trial Program
Content or Curriculum: Onsite production trials for new growers
Inputs: Equipment, Teaching
Date: Annually in the Summer
Audience: Beekeepers and Vegetable Growers
Project or Activity: Beekeeping 101
Content or Curriculum: Series of classes designed to increase beekeepers understanding of their craft.
Inputs: Teaching, Transportation, Tools
Date: Fall 2017
Audience: Fruit and Vegetable Growers
Project or Activity: Home based Microprocessor training
Content or Curriculum: Safe food handling and preservation
Inputs: Teaching, equipment and facilities
Date: Winter of 2018
Audience: Potential Commercial Growers
Project or Activity: Vegetable Growers Academy
Content or Curriculum: Series of Workshops aimed at introducing potential growers to various commercial crops
Inputs: Teaching, facilities, specialists
Date: Fall and winter of 2018
Audience: Potential Commercial service providers
Project or Activity: Horticulture Service providers Academy and certification
Content or Curriculum: Series of Workshops aimed at introducing commercial clientele to the horticulture services sector.
Inputs: Teaching, facilities, specialists
Date: Fall and winter of 2018
