Commercial and Home Horticulture ProductionPlan of Work

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Carroll County CES

Title:
Commercial and Home Horticulture Production
MAP:
Agriculture Enhancement and Sustainability
Agents Involved:
Christin Herbst, Joyce Doyle, Cathy Jansen
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Commercial Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Farmer's Markets
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Local Food Systems
Situation:

According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, Carroll County has 278 farms consisting of 53,562 total acres (61.09% of the total county acreage). The market value of products sold was reported to be $6,441,000 (20% increase from 2007). Crop sales contributed 70% ($4,503,000) of the total value. Approximately $100,000 of those crop sales are a result of nursery and greenhouse crops.


The National Agriculture Statistic Service (NASS) reports the following farms and acreage (if available) in horticulture production:


Vegetables:10 farms (12 acres)

Fruit:4 farms

Berries:2 farms


Horticulture production is an important element of agriculture production in Carroll County, as it has been another opportunity to diversify from traditional crop and livestock production. Managing this area of production correctly is essential to the success of other production systems in the county, as well as environmental protection.


Agriculture representatives of the County Extension Council, County Agricultural Development Council, and Riverview Farmer’s Market, as well as day-to-day clientele, have identified best management practices, agriculture awareness, and marketing as priorities for Extension programming.

Long-Term Outcomes:

•Maximize profits for commercial horticulture producers, including the members of the Riverview Farmer’s Market.

•Minimize the environmental impact on air, soil, and water.

Intermediate Outcomes:

•Producers adopt best management practices through taking proper soil samples, following fertilizer and lime recommendations, and utilizing pesticides as directed through Extension Programming.

•Producers adopt proper production practices for horticulture crops.

•Producers adopt Good Agricultural Practices.

Initial Outcomes:

•Producers learn about the proper way to take soil samples and utilize pesticides.

•Producers learn more about Good Agricultural Practices, and how to implement them in their operations.

Evaluation:

Outcome:

Long term

Indicator:

Increase in horticulture crop cash receipts. Increase in the number of producers and consumers of the Riverview Farmers Market.

Method:

NASS information from the Kentucky Field Office—County summary given for each year. Surveys of the members of the Riverview Farmers Market.

Timeline:

2 – 4 years


Outcome:

Intermediate

Indicator:

More soil samples are taken in the fall. More people involved in Good Agricultural Practices trainings, Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (SrFMNP) and the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program (FMNP).

Method:

Amount of soil samples coming into the office. Increased number of SrFMNP and FMNP participants.

Timeline:

1 – 1 ½ years


Outcome:

Initial

Indicator:

Increased participation in learning workshops and classes.

Method:

Attendance Sheets

Timeline:

8 months – 2 years


Learning Opportunities:

Audience:

Carroll County Horticulture Producers

Activity:

Horticulture Production Meetings

Content or Curriculum:

Focus on the production techniques of horticulture crops seen in the Farmers Market (tomatoes, leafy greens, brambles, etc.) and home gardening.  Also include more involved crops (grapes, fruit trees, etc.).

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time

Date:

February 19, 2018 – Pruning in the Landscape

February 21, 2018 – Soil Sampling and Testing

April 16, 2019 – Culinary Herbs

2020


Audience:

Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers

Activity:

First Fridays

Content or Curriculum:

Plate It Up! recipes and materials, Demonstrations with fresh produce

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Riverview Farmer’s Market members, Carroll County Extension Homemakers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time, Money

Date:

July 1, 2016 – Red Potato Salad

August 5, 2016 – Watermelon

September 2, 2016 – Fiesta Potatoes

August 4, 2017 – Watermelon

July 6, 2018

August 3, 2018 - Watermelon

June – September 2019


Audience:

Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers

Activity:

Farmer’s Market Demonstrations and Sampling

Content or Curriculum:

Demonstrations held during Farmers Market hours, working with fresh produce

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Riverview Farmer’s Market members, Carroll County Extension Homemakers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time, Money

Date:

July 13, 2016 – Zippy Zucchini Cakes

July 16, 2016 – Zippy Zucchini Cakes

July 27, 2016 – Blackberry Lemon Upside Down Cake

July 30, 2016 – Blackberry Peach Crumble

August 4, 2017 – Watermelon

June – September 2019


Audience:

Carroll County Horticulture Producers

Activity:

Produce Best Practices Training (PBPT)

Content or Curriculum:

PBPT PowerPoint and Materials

Inputs:

Extension Agent, UK Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time

Date:

March 15, 2018

April 1, 2019

Spring 2020, if needed.


Audience:

Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers

Activity:

Farm to Table Dinner

Content or Curriculum:

Spotlight and raise awareness of Riverview Farmers’ Market

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Riverview Farmer’s Market members, Time, Money

Date:

July 28, 2018

July 27, 2019


Audience:

Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers

Activity:

Educational Material (Publications, etc.) Made Available

Content or Curriculum:

Recipes, handling procedures, etc.

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time

Date:

All throughout the year


Audience:

Carroll County 4-H Youth (Ages 5-19)

Activity:

Creating Desert Dishes, Terrariums, Hanging Baskets, Herbs, Milkweed (butterfly garden)

Content or Curriculum:

UK Publication

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Carroll County Volunteers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time, Money

Date:

May 27, 2017

May 26, 2018

April 19, 2019

May 24, 2019

May 2020


Audience:

Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers

Activity:

Development of the Horticulture Portion of the County Website

Content or Curriculum:

Online information pertaining to horticulture production

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time



Success Stories

The Riverview Farmers’ Market Proudly Presents A Farm to Table Dinner in Historical Ghent

Author: Christin Herbst

Major Program: Farmer's Markets

The Riverview Farmers’ Market Proudly Presents A Farm to Table Dinner in Historical Ghent

In the last twenty years since the 1998 Tobacco Settlement Agreement, Carroll County farmers have been required to diversify their farming operations into agricultural enterprises that will be successful for them into the future.  One route farmers took was focused on growing produce and meat, as well as developing a vegetable, fruit, and meat market for the community.  The Riverview Farmer’s Market was established in 2004, and in the 2019 season, there were twelve vendors (inclu

Full Story
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