Barren County CES

Title:

Commercial Horticulture

MAP:

Strengthening Barren County’s Local Food System with Commercial Horticulture and Farmers Market Education

Agents Involved:

Stith, Schalk, Tarry, Drake

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Commercial Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Farmer's Markets

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Sustainable Agriculture

Situation:

Members of the Barren County Horticulture Advisory Council identified local food systems as a program for the County Extension Service to concentrate on in order to help strengthen the Glasgow and Barren County community. Recently, high tunnels structures have been appearing throughout the county due to cost-share funding through the NRCS office and more interest in producing locally grown food. With the large growing area in high tunnels, producers are seeking research-based educational information and trainings from the University of Kentucky CooperativeExtension Service on how to produce a high quality, yielding, safe commercial fruit and vegetable product to sell at a local farmers market. Community farmers’ markets have also reached out to the Extension Office to assist in providing required trainings for the new vendors joining the market each year

Long-Term Outcomes:

*Commercial horticulture producers will maintain or increase economic stability of their farm operations.

*Community farmers’ markets will see an increase in the number of vendors present at the markets as well as more variety of local farm products available at the market.

*The Glasgow and Barren County community will increase access to local foods in restaurants, schools, and other institutions.

Intermediate Outcomes:

*Commercial horticulture producers will implement best horticulture production practices by following fertility guidelines listed on a University of Kentucky soil test form, planting recommended varieties, expanding into other produce availability options, utilizing agricultural products to extend the growing season, practicing integrated pest management controls, and applying food safety practices to better market their superior food crops.

*Commercial horticulture producers will also gain various certifications to sell fresh produce and value-added products (Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program, sampling certificates, Produce Best Practices Training (PBPT), Home-based and Microprocessor certificate, Kentucky Proud member, etc).

Initial Outcomes:

*Commercial horticulture producers in the area will gain new knowledge and skills related to production such as recommended varieties of fruits and vegetables, ideal site selection characteristics and soil preparation, how to install a drip irrigation system, identify integrated pest management (IPM) controls, know proper food handling procedures, develop a water quality plan, understand different strategies for marketing crops, and practices to reduce food safety issues on the farm.

Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome: Increase of commercial horticulture producers present at community farmers markets, producers gaining more income from their commercial horticulture operations

Indicator: Number of new vendors/growers present at the farmers market and number of producers showing increase in income from sales

Method: Written surveys, personal observations

Timeline: July - June

Intermediate Outcome: Utilize best management horticulture production practices gained from Extension educational programming, producers gain several certifications to sell their farm products at community farmers’ markets.

Indicator: Increase in horticulture crop yields, change in varietal selections, site visits, farmers market visits, phone calls, follow up, and observation

Method: Evaluations, group discussion, personal interviews, and surveys

Timeline: July - June

Initial Outcome: New knowledge and skill in recommended commercial horticulture production practices learned from Extension programming.

Indicator: Total number of commercial horticulture producers noting knowledge or skill gained after attending educational programs and classes

Method: Pre- and Post-meeting Evaluations, group discussion, personal interviews, and surveys

Timeline: Immediately following educational program

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Commercial Horticulture Producers

Project or Activity: Fruit and Vegetable Conference

Content or Curriculum: Extension related

Inputs: Agents, Specialists

Date: January each year

Audience: Commercial Horticulture Producers

Project or Activity: High Tunnel Production Update, Vegetable Production Meetings/Trainings

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension related publications, curriculum, materials

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, KDA, Center for Crop Diversification

Date: Winter, or early Spring

Audience: Farmers Market Vendors

Project or Activity: Various farmers market trainings

Content or Curriculum: PBPT (Produce Best Practices Training), Homebased Microprocessor Workshop, Sampling, Farmers Market Nutrition Program, Marketing, etc.

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, UK Extension related publications, state and federal agencies (KDA, Public Health Department, etc.), Food Systems Innovation System

Date: Winter meetings

Audience: Community Members and Residents

Project or Activity: Barren County Farm, Home, and Garden Expo

Content or Curriculum: UK Extension publications and materials

Inputs: Extension Master Gardeners, Agents

Date: April of each year

Audience: Farmers Market Vendors and Concerned Local Leaders

Project or Activity: Sustainable Glasgow Board Monthly Meetings

Content or Curriculum: Grants, UK Extension related publications

Inputs: Agents, Specialists

Date: July – June

Audience: Barren County and Glasgow residents

Project or Activity: Shindig on the Square Events

Content or Curriculum: Extension related publications and materials, SNAP-ED promotional items

Inputs: Agents, Specialists

Date: Quarterly: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Success Stories