Extension
It Starts With Us
Community and Consumer Horticulture
Promoting Agricultural Sustainability
Kevin Lyons
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Local Food Systems
Master Gardener
Situation: Even though Monroe County is basically a rural county, most of the residents do not live on a farm that provides a major part of the family’s income. There is renewed interest in producing our food locally. There is an interest in providing the Master Gardener program again in Monroe County. Since most residents don’t live on farms, the art of gardening has been lost by many. With one year completed of community gardens, there is great interest in expanding Monroe County’s Community Gardens; both in size and new locations.
Long-term Outcomes:
Families will become more sustainable by producing much of their own food
High tunnels will continue to grow and expand
Master Gardener participants will complete their volunteer hours improving the appearance of towns and the county
Master Gardener participants become resources for local citizens to use for horticultural advice.
Intermediate Outcomes:
Expand high tunnel production
Improve the appearance of downtown Tompkinsville
Provide programs for two Garden Clubs.
Home gardens will improve garden productivity
Initial Outcome:
Complete survey of Master Gardner participants
Home gardeners will gain knowledge improving garden production
Homeowners will learn ways to improve their home landscapes
Identify potential leaders for continuing Master Gardener success
Evaluation:
Outcome: Enroll participants in Master Gardener class
Indicator: Number of participants enrolled
Method: Program evaluation
Timeline: 2018
Evaluation:
Outcome: Homeowners will be better able to produce their own food
Indicator: Number of participants in homeowner education classes
Method: Post-program survey
Timeline: 2017-2020
Evaluation:
Outcome: Master Gardener participants become certified
Indicator: Completing volunteer hours at end of classes
Method: Number of participants report successes
Timeline: 2017-2020
Evaluation:
Outcome: Expanded high tunnel program
Indicator: Program is expanded by adding additional garden beds and participants learn new garden techniques
Method: Number of garden beds and number of participants
Timeline: 2017-2020
Audience: Local citizens
Project or Activity: Community gardener classes
Content or Curriculum: UK garden and landscape publications
Inputs: Kevin Lyons; Andrea Stith; Brandon bell
Date: 2017-2020
Audience: Garden Club members
Project or Activity: Presentations on home beatification
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: Kevin Lyons
Date: 2018-2019
Audience: Master Gardener participants
Project or Activity: Master Gardener program
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Curriculum
Inputs: Kevin Lyons, Andrea Stith, Brandon Bell
Date: 2018
Author: Kevin Lyons
Major Program: Pollinators
Bees play a major role in the pollination of plants and crops, and are extremely important commercially for farming practices. It is estimated that about one-third of global food production requires animal pollination and that 80–90 percent of this role is carried out by honeybees. But bees are in trouble, and there is growing concern over their decline across the world. The UK Cooperative Extension Service is helping to address this problem.The Monroe Co. Ag & Natural Resources Agent
