Extension
It Starts With Us
Horticulture
Horticulture
Jason Phillips, Christy Ramey
Commercial Horticulture
Farmer's Markets
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Master Gardener
Situation: Consumers have grown increasingly cognoscente of food safety and improving overall health while demanding fresh, quality food products. These factors have fueled the local food movement across Kentucky and in Simpson County. Producers require more programming opportunities to continue to supply this need and improve upon their products and profitability. Additionally, home production has increased to meet food needs for local families.
Long-term Outcomes: Consumers will improve their health and add stability to the local economy by purchasing locally grown food products which will increase producer profits. Homeowners will save money and improve health by improving horticultural production practices.
Intermediate Outcomes: Producers will improve practices and adopt new technology to increase the overall efficiency of the production process for various local horticultural products. Commercial producers will put into practice strategic marketing plans to help promote local products which will continue to increase the demand among consumers for farm fresh foods.
Initial Outcome: Producers will increase their knowledge in vegetable, small and tree fruit, local meat production, and non-food horticultural products. They will be better prepared to take, follow, and implement UK soil test fertility management recommendations, understand integrated pest management techniques, select disease resistant and higher yielding varieties, make timely plantings and pesticide applications, utilize sustainable management practices, research new technologies and alternative production techniques, improve marketing strategies, and understand how to implement the best overall production system for their specific farming operation. Individuals will increase their knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety and food resource management.
Outcome: Commercial horticultural producers will increase knowledge and develop plans, execute plans, and increase profitability. Homeowners will improve practices, health and increase savings.
Indicator: The number of producers indicating knowledge, practice, and increased profitability.
Method: Post-meeting evaluations
Timeline: Evaluations will be given immediately following programs and one to twenty for months after programs.
Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):
Audience: Franklin-Simpson Farmers’ Market Vendors
Project or Activity: Franklin-Simpson Farmers’ Market
Content or Curriculum: production and marketing education, F-S Farmers’ Market promotional events, food safety education
Inputs: Agents’ time, paid staff, meeting facility, UK publications, KDA resources, newsletters, radio programs
Date: 2019-2020
Audience: Community Garden Participants and Coordinators
Project or Activity: Community Garden Projects and Demonstrations
Content or Curriculum: food production education, nutrition, demonstrations
Inputs: Agent’s time, UK publications, Master Gardener Volunteers, SNAP-Ed Assistant
Date: July, August, September 2019; April, May June 2020
Audience: Small and Mid-sized fruit producers and homeowners
Project or Activity: Fruit tree workshop
Content or Curriculum: pruning and production
Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, UK specialists, UK publications, newsletters, radio programs
Date: March 2020
Audience: Commercial Food Producers
Project or Activity: Commercial Food Production Educational Programs
Content or Curriculum: fertility, marketing, high tunnels, production methods, integrated pest management
Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, meeting facilities, UK specialists, newsletters, radio programs
Date: July 2019-June 2020
Author: Jason Phillips
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
The Simpson County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development work jointly to provide new programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. One such programming opportunity has been the “Drive Thru Container Garden Kits”. This year, many people have been interested in growing their own produce to provide for their families, enjoy a fun and educational family activity and make the most of additional time they may have on their hands. This prov
Author: Catherine Webster
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Community Container Garden KitsThe Simpson Co. Extension Office saw an increase in requests for information from families wanting to grow their on vegetable garden during the pandemic. Some families feared a food shortage while others wanted the assurance of a safe food supply. As a result the Extension Agents for 4-HYD and ANR worked together to create a new program to meet this need, Community Container Garden Kits. Agents recorded a video demonstrating how to grow a tomato c
