Home & Consumer HorticulturePlan of Work

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Bullitt County CES

Title:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAP:
Home & Consumer Horticulture/Master Gardener
Agents Involved:
Lorilee George
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Home & Consumer Horticulture
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Urban Environments (water issues)
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Commercial Horticulture
Situation:

Bullitt County is a rapidly urbanizing county with diminishing traditional agriculture. As we move away from tobacco dependence, producers need alternative income/projects. Close to I65 and major urban areas (Louisville, Nashville, Indianapolis), Bullitt County is well situated to take advantage of tourism opportunities. This continual rapid increase in the suburban population in Bullitt County is resulting in a steady decrease in the agricultural utilization of its land. As a result, education and information in the fields of home horticulture and urban gardening is severely lacking in suburban areas. This program will serve to provide home owners with a good resource for improvements in gardening functionality and productivity. It will also provide information on gardening as a healthy leisure time exercise, especially for individuals 55 years and older that may have physical and psychological considerations.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Assist in developing sustainable & thriving Ag Businesses.

Increased wine sales at local wineries.

Home owners will use practical gardening and maintenance tips by learning a more efficient way to maintain and improve their properties, home owners will save time, money and resources.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Increase business for local Ag businesses.

Provide additional income for producers and provide pollinators.

Participants will purchase wines based on knowledge gained.

Participants will start soil testing before planting/fertilization

Participants will construct more efficient and functional landscapes.

Participation in gardening for those with physical limitations

Participants reduce stress through gardening

Increase social activities for participants through gardening and Extension.

Initial Outcomes:

Increase the number of producers that are aware of opportunities in Ag Tourism.

Increase producers' knowledge of beekeeping.

Increase knowledge of good agricultural practices.

Increase awareness of Ag Tourism both inside & outside of Bullitt County

Increase awareness of heritage of farming in the county

Participants gain knowledge of the importance of soil testing.

Participants will improve their current skills and gain knowledge in many aspects of home horticulture.

Participants will continue to enjoy gardening after physical limitations prevent traditional gardening methods.

Participants reduce stress through gardening

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Increase knowledge and appreciation of agri-tourism by participants

Indicator: Survey of participants

Method: Oral

Timeline: December


Intermediate Outcome: Participants gain knowledge of how to plant more functional and efficient landscapes and gardens

Indicator: Pre/post survey

Method: Written

Timeline: Monthly


Initial Outcome: Participants gain knowledge about identifying insects

Indicator: Pre/Post Test

Method: Written

Timeline: Monthly


Initial Outcome: Participants gain knowledge about proper soil testing and fertilization

Indicator: Pre/Post Test

Method: Written

Timeline: October


Intermediate Outcome: Participants follow through with soil test and amend soil properly

Indicator: Soil test submission and follow up phone call

Method: Written and oral

Timeline: Spring 2016


Long Term Outcome: Participants continues to monitor soil health and use integrated methods to improve soil health

Indicator: Repeated soil testing and follow up

Method: Written and oral

Timeline: On Going


Intermediate Outcome: Participants will be able to select tree varieties for home plantings. They will gain better fruit tree management skills.

Indicator: Tree plantings and health of est. trees

Method: Observed and verbal

Timeline: Yearly


Long Term Outcome: Participants adopt skills to improve their lives.

Indicator: Data received from participants and leaders

Method: Written evaluations and leader feedback

Timeline: July-June

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: General Public

Project or Activity: Wine Tasting

Content: Materials prepared by master winemakers

Inputs: Local business owners

Date: December (LG)


Audience: Bullitt County Detention Center Substance Abuse Program Inmates

Activity: Gardening Skills Class and Jail Garden Program

Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs

Inputs: Ag & Hort. expertise, Master Gardeners, KY Dept. of Forestry Publications, U of K Publications

Date: Twice Monthly (LG)


Audience: General Public

Activity: Gardening Season/Homeowners' Toolbox Series

Content: Ball Horticultural publications, U of K pubs

Inputs: Various plants and demonstrative materials

Date: Jan, Mar, May, August, October (LG)


Audience: Producers, Homeowners

Activity: Fruit Production Series

Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs, local expert

Inputs: U of K Publications, grafting equipment, rootstock

Date: Feb, Mar, April, June, Sep, Oct (LG)


Audience: Homeowners

Activity: Biodiversity Series

Content or Curriculum: U of K pubs

Inputs: KY Dept. of Forestry Publications

Date: Mar, May, July, Sept(LG)




Success Stories

Gardening Skills Development with the Bullitt County Substance Abuse Program

Author: Lorilee Kunze

Major Program: Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities (general)

Substance abuse, particularly the diversion and abuse of prescription drugs along with heroin and fentanyl, remains one of the most critical public health and safety issues facing Kentucky. For years, the annual number of Kentuckians who died from drug overdoses steadily climbed to a peak of more than 1,400 in 2017, exacting a disastrous toll on families, communities, social services and economic growth. Drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation is essential to Kentucky. The SAP (Substance Abuse

Full Story

Bullitt County Extension Beekeepers Association

Author: Lorilee Kunze

Major Program: Bees/Beekeeping

In fall of 2018 Extension was approached by a handful of local beekeepers, interested in the possibility of starting a local association. With the continuing decline of large farming operations in Bullitt County, local farmers are looking to diversify. Because beekeeping is a very profitable, small business beekeeping appeared to be a viable solution. With considerable effort as well as the help and dedication of local beekeepers, by January of 2019, the Bullitt County Horticulture Program forme

Full Story

Storm Water Management

Author: Lorilee Kunze

Major Program: Urban Environments (water issues)

Waste water and good stewardship of environmental resources in Kentucky has been a concern for many years and with the implementation of new legislation in 2016 it became more important than ever for the Extension service to partner with MS4 communities in our county in order to provide educational opportunities for Bullitt county citizens regarding reducing water consumption, reducing runoff, and reducing pollution in runoff.    Approximately 50% of Bullitt County residents are connec

Full Story
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