Henderson County CES

Title:

Horticulture Best Practices

MAP:

Home and commercial Horticulture

Agents Involved:

Rideout

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Commercial Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Home & Consumer Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Farmer's Markets

Situation:

Kentuckians have found growing and selling fruit, vegetable, and ornamental crops as well as value added products through local farmers markets is an effective way to supplement family income following the decline of tobacco production. Consequently there is a need to educate growers and vendors on production and marketing techniques and consumers on fresh produce preparation and nutritional characteristics, to make these markets more effective. There is also a need to start new markets and strengthen existing markets.
Based on information requests and on Horticulture advisory council, there is a high demand for both consumer and commercial programming in Henderson County. According to the EPA, 100 million pounds of active ingredients from pesticides were applied in home and gardens throughout the United States. Each year, over $11 billion is spent on household and garden pest control products. Proper use of pesticides by homeowners and commercial operations is imperative and directly impact our environment including groundwater sources.
The need to apply pesticides increases when plant care/selection best practices are not followed.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Home consumers and Commercial operators follow best practices for plant production. Home consumers and Commercial operators apply pesticides based on current best practices, following IPM practices.

Home and commercial producers will increase yields and revenues utilizing the best information available for their specific crops.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Home consumers and Commercial operators will utilize researched based information to properly apply best practices including proper plant selection, proper cultural practices.

Initial Outcomes:

Home consumers and Commercial operators will learn best practices regarding plant cultivar selection, proper cultural practices, and understand insect and disease management best practices.

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: education of best practices
Indicator: number attending programs
Method: sign in forms
Timeline: all programs annually

Intermediate Outcome: Producers/home owners will utilize information gained to make good decisions regarding variety selection, chemical usage, and plant production practices.
Indicator: self reported changes of behavior/site visit observations
Method: pre-post surveys
Timeline: all programs annually

Long-term Outcome: increased number of producers, home and commercial
Indicator: number of vendors at farmers market; self reported first time home gardeners
Method: Farmers Market vendor numbers/post program surveys
Timeline: annually

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Commercial Applicator's

Project or Activity: Commercial Applicator Pest. Training

Content or Curriculum: State Applicator Training Material

Inputs: Agents/State Office of Environmental Services/ Specialists

Date: Annually - Fall

Audience: Master Gardeners

Project or Activity: MG training classes

Content or Curriculum: MG manual

Inputs: specialists, agents, publications, field trips

Date: annually or biannually as needed

Audience: Henderson Residents

Project or Activity: Saturday In the Garden Series

Content or Curriculum: Agent developed

Inputs: publications, demonstration garden

Date: Spring and Fall Saturdays; annually

Audience: Regional potential market producers; partner with Purdue University

Project or Activity: Small Farm Conference

Content or Curriculum: Agent developed

Inputs: publications, demonstration plots/activities

Date: Spring annually

Audience: Current and Potential market producers;  

Project or Activity: High Tunnel Educational Seminar

Content or Curriculum: Specialist/Agent developed

Inputs: publications, demonstration, USDA Grant information

Date: Fall, 2017

Success Stories