Nelson County CES

Title:

Production Horticulture, Horticulture Professions Development and Problem Solving

MAP:

Commercial Horticulture Advancement

Agents Involved:

Smith

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Farmer's Markets

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Commercial Horticulture - Landscape Ecosystems

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Commercial Horticulture - Crop Marketing

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Sustainable Agriculture

Situation:

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.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• 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

Intermediate Outcomes:

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.

Initial Outcomes:

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.

Evaluation:

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:

Learning Opportunities:

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: 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 2019

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 2020

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 2019

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 2019-20

Success Stories