Nelson County CES

Title:

Homeowner Horticulture and Environmental Impacts

MAP:

Community Horticulture Advancement

Agents Involved:

Smith, Hagler, Fries

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Home & Consumer Horticulture

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Master Gardener

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Forestry Industry Education

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Urban Environments (water issues)

Situation:

Nelson County is in an enviable situation compared to some counties around us. In the next four years our population is expected to grow by 15.4% which is more than twice the growth rate of our state. Our diverse economy and geographic location make our community a desirable location to retire and/or raise a family. With population expansion comes challenges on both systems and services. Our most populous demographic will also be our most aged as well and will present some challenges and opportunities for our community. As we age more services will be needed to make a household run properly. Building and property development continue in Nelson County at a brisk pace and meeting the demands of homeowner questions and concerns will continue to rely on staff and volunteers to help with problem solving.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• The desire of this program is to increase the population base that understands the factors that affect plant growth and processes.
• Homeowners will become more aware of the amounts of pesticides and fertilizer they are putting into the environment and work to decrease those inputs
• More money will be spent on new plantings and less will be spent on replacement plants.
• More homeowners will be converted to an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to horticulture maintenance, therefore decreasing their need for other inputs.
• More profit will be realized from active management of forested areas of owned land.
• More families will grow gardens.
• Youth will seek careers in horticulture and related fields.
• Urban agriculture will become an accepted way of life by policy makers
• Homeowners will select plants based on desirable qualities and not just what is being sold to them through retail operations.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• We will see an increase in soil testing by homeowners.
• Less chemical inputs will be needed with an increase use of IPM.
• Selection of plant material will be made based on the site situation.
• Homeowners will understand and change the way they undergo site preparation to avoid compaction.
• More management will take place in woodlands.
• A better understanding of the differences between insects will occur.
* A better understanding of how various inputs affect different parts of the infrastructure and environment.
* Youth will demonstrate the knowledge gained by competing at the National 4-H Forestry invitational.

Initial Outcomes:

• Homeowners will gain knowledge regarding disease management.

• When purchasing plants homeowners will know what to look for in regards to quality and condition.

• Homeowners will use chemicals in a responsible manner.

• Homeowners will gain the skills needed to carryout home improvement projects.

• Homeowners will become aware of the needs and habitat of plants and how that affects the plants lifespan.

• Landowners will understand the value of their forested acres.

• Families will better understand the vegetable and fruit gardening process.

* Youth will increase their knowledge of forestry and horticulture principles and demonstrate their new skills at state forestry field days and horticulture judging contest.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Homeowners, families and landowners will gain understanding and knowledge that will help with their economic stability.
Indicator: Progressively more difficult subject matter will be requested and Master Gardener enrollment will increase.
Method: Surveys, group discussion, topic evaluation.
Timeline: Following educational event, with a follow-up 1 month later.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: The population of Nelson County interested in gaining knowledge and understanding of various horticulture topics.

Project or Activity: Master Gardener Training

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Curriculum

Inputs: Instruction, meeting space, supplies,

Date: Fall and winter

Audience: The population of Nelson County interested in gaining knowledge and understanding of various horticulture topics.

Project or Activity: Bloomfield Library Garden Series

Content or Curriculum: Various Horticulture Topics

Inputs: Instruction,

Date: Year Round

Audience: Horticulture Enthusiasts

Project or Activity: Blooming Bardstown Garden Tour

Content or Curriculum: Visual display of proper gardening techniques

Inputs: Instruction, Site hosting,

Date: June 2018

Audience: Nelson County Residents

Project or Activity: Nelson County Community Garden Projects

Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Gardening

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature

Date: Spring and Summer

Audience: Nelson County Residents

Project or Activity: Bee Keeping Club

Content or Curriculum: Bee Keeping from install to harvest

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature

Date: Year Round

Audience: Nelson County Residents

Project or Activity: Woodland Owners Short Course and Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Forestry Curriculum

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature

Date: Spring and Summer

Audience: Nelson County Youth

Project or Activity: Horticulture Judging teams

Content or Curriculum: National Junior Horticulture Judging Contest Curriculum

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature, transportation

Date: Winter, Spring and Summer

Audience: Nelson County 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Natural Resource Educational Programs-Project  clubs, School Enrichment, etc

Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature

Date:ongoing

Audience: Youth interested in Forestry

Project or Activity: Junior and Senior Forestry Field Days

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Forestry Curriculum

Inputs: Instruction, meeting space, supplies,

Date: Fall and Spring

Success Stories