Kenton County CES

Title:

Home & Commercial Horticulture

MAP:

Home & Commercial Horticulture

Agents Involved:

Michele Stanton

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Home & Consumer Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Master Gardener

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Commercial Horticulture

Situation:

Homeowners, small-scale community gardens, school garden groups, farmers’ market growers and small-scale commercial growers are looking to produce more of their own foods, flowers, or other plants; or expand existing operations by growing additional (and maybe new) crops. Others are looking more effective ways to manage pests, soil fertility, irrigation, etc.  They are looking for information on what to grow, and how to do it (or how to do it better).

Members of the community are interested in beautification and restoration of homes, woods, green spaces and community areas.

Some members of the community face significant mental, emotional, and physical challenges. Horticultural activities are therapeutic for these persons in many areas. 

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Increase the number of homeowners and landowners who are growing food and other horticultural crops on an ongoing basis.
• Increase income derived from horticultural crops.
• Expand offerings at local farmers’ markets.
• Expand the number of crops grown in the county on an ongoing basis.
• Increase the number of native and suitable landscape plants installed in homes, green spaces, etc.
• Increase the quality of life for members of our community with physical, mental and emotional challenges. 

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Homeowners, growers, farmers, and landowners produce new horticultural crops for the first time.
• Homeowners, HOA members and others install more suitable plants in their landscapes and green spaces.
• Residents renew of keep current their GAP certificates
• Residents take PBMP or Home-based Microprocessor training for the first time.
• New growers are selling at one or more Farmer’s Market locations.
• Members of the community with significant physical, emotional or mental challenges can look forward to “days in the garden”. 

Initial Outcomes:

• Homeowners, landowners, farmers, and others understand the value of local production of diverse horticultural products.
• Homeowners, landowners, farmers, and others learn how to grow many new kinds of horticultural crops: vegetables, fruits, cut flowers, landscape plants, forest products, etc.
• Residents take GAP training for the first time
• Homeowners, landowners and others learn about better plant choices for use in home landscapes, restorations, green spaces, etc.
• Members of the community with physical, mental and emotional challenges will enjoy new experiences and learn new skills through horticulture. 

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increased vendors at county Farmers’ Markets
Indicator: Greater numbers of Farmers’ Market vendors as measured against 2015 data
Method: Vendor lists.
Timeline: Yearly.

Outcome: Greater numbers of products offered at local Farmer’s Markets.
Indicator: Compare available lists of available products at local farmer’s markets from year to year. Base year: 2015
Method: Survey, farmers’ market records.
Timeline: Yearly.

Outcome: Homeowners, landowners, farmers and others understand the value of local production of diverse horticultural products.
Indicator: Class attendance
Method: Surveys
Timeline: Ongoing

Outcome: Homeowners, landowners, farmers, and others grow new horticultural crops.
Indicator: Class attendance
Method: Surveys
Timeline: Ongoing

Outcome: Members of the community with mental, physical, and emotional challenges participate in therapy through horticulture.
Indicator: Continued class attendance.
Method: Smiles, cheers, and signs of appreciation
Timeline: Monthly and/or seasonally, as needed

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Homeowners, farmers, landowners, community gardeners and others
Project or Activity: Classes and demonstrations on all kinds of horticultural crops: vegetables, fruits, cut flowers, landscape plant production, native plants, pollinators, pest and disease management, forest products, etc.
Content or Curriculum: Extension and other materials.
Inputs: UK Extension specialists and county agents
Date: Ongoing

Audience: Farmers and others
Project or Activity: PBPT and Home-based Microprocessor Training.
Content or Curriculum: Kentucky PBPT training manual and videos; HBMT materials from UK
Inputs: Kentucky training materials and videos; county agents; state specialists
 Date: Yearly, winter/spring; rotated through the three northern counties

Audience: Farmers, small-scale growers or non-profits
Project or Activity: Site visits and individual consultants
Content or Curriculum: Extension materials, consultation with Extension specialists, county agents
Inputs: UK Extension specialists and county agents
Date: Ongoing

Audience: Residents of Rosedale Manor, Emerald Trace and other Long-term-care facility residents as needed
Project or activity: Demonstrations, garden crafts, hands-on garden and memory activities
Content or curriculum: Variable. 4-H, American Horticultural Therapy Association publications
Inputs: County agents and MG volunteers

Success Stories