HorticulturePlan of Work

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Simpson County CES

Title:
Horticulture
MAP:
20-21 Horticulture
Agents Involved:
Jason Phillips, Catherine Webster
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Master Gardener
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Local Food Systems
Situation:

Situation: Consumers have grown increasingly cognoscente of food safety and improving overall health while demanding fresh, quality food products. These factors have fueled the local food movement across Kentucky and in Simpson County. Producers require more programming opportunities to continue to supply this need and improve upon their products and profitability. Additionally, home production has increased to meet food needs for local families.


Long-Term Outcomes:

Long-term Outcomes: Consumers will improve their health and add stability to the local economy by purchasing locally grown food products which will increase producer profits. Homeowners will save money and improve health by improving horticultural production practices.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Intermediate Outcomes: Producers will improve practices and adopt new technology to increase the overall efficiency of the production process for various local horticultural products. Commercial producers will put into practice strategic marketing plans to help promote local products which will continue to increase the demand among consumers for farm fresh foods.


Initial Outcomes:

Initial Outcome: Producers will increase their knowledge in vegetable, small and tree fruit, local meat production, and non-food horticultural products. They will be better prepared to take, follow, and implement UK soil test fertility management recommendations, understand integrated pest management techniques, select disease resistant and higher yielding varieties, make timely plantings and pesticide applications, utilize sustainable management practices, research new technologies and alternative production techniques, improve marketing strategies, and understand how to implement the best overall production system for their specific farming operation. Individuals will increase their knowledge and understanding of healthy eating, food safety and food resource management.

Evaluation:

Outcome: Commercial horticultural producers will increase knowledge and develop plans, execute plans, and increase profitability. Homeowners will improve practices, health and increase savings.

Indicator: The number of producers indicating knowledge, practice, and increased profitability.

Method: Post-meeting evaluations

Timeline: Evaluations will be given immediately following programs and one to twenty for months after programs.

Learning Opportunities:


Learning Opportunities (repeat as needed):


Audience: Franklin-Simpson Farmers’ Market Vendors

Project or Activity: Franklin-Simpson Farmers’ Market

Content or Curriculum: production and marketing education, F-S Farmers’ Market promotional events, food safety education

Inputs: Agents’ time, paid staff, meeting facility, UK publications, KDA resources, newsletters, radio programs

Date: 2020-2021 program year


Audience: Community Gardening

Project or Activity: Container Garden Kits

Content or Curriculum: food production education, nutrition

Inputs: Agent’s time, UK publications, Tractor Supply Company, WKU Agriculture Greenhouse, School District

Date: April - June 2021


Audience: Small and Mid-sized fruit producers and homeowners

Project or Activity: Fruit tree workshop

Content or Curriculum: pruning and production

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, UK specialists, UK publications, newsletters, radio programs

Date: March 2021


Audience: Commercial Food Producers

Project or Activity: Commercial Food Production Educational Programs

Content or Curriculum: fertility, marketing, high tunnels, production methods, integrated pest management

Inputs: Agent’s time, paid staff, meeting facilities, UK specialists, newsletters, radio programs

Date: 2020-2021 program year


Audience:  Simpson County residents

Project of Activity:  Soil, Water and Wildlife Environmental Video Series

Content or Curriculum:  timely video series addressing environmental conservation practices for homeowners

Inputs:  Agent's time, paid staff, video equipment and software

Date:  September 2020 - June 2021


Audience: 4-H Members

Project or Activity: Horticulture Judging and Jr. Forestry Field Day

Content or Curriculum: State Fair Guidelines

Inputs: Mammoth Cave National Park & Employees, UK Specialists,

Extension Agents & Offices, 4-H Parents & Volunteers, Community

Businesses related to Horticulture

Date: September 2020


Audience: Extension Homemakers

Project or Activity: Farmers Market - Get what you need to eat seasonally

Content or Curriculum: Extension materials

Inputs: Agent led, train-the trainer for clubs, food and nutrition information

Date: May 2021



Success Stories

Community Container Garden Kits, Year Two

Author: Catherine Webster

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Simpson County Extension Agents for Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development worked jointly to provide new programs during COVID-19, with home vegetable gardening resources being in high demand since the onset of the pandemic. As a result, our joint gardening programs began with Drive Thru Container Garden Kits where Extension provided some 200 families with everything they needed to grow tomatoes, zucchini, and/or herb gardens last year.  This year Simpson Co. Extension Agents continued t

Full Story

4-H Gardening Club

Author: Catherine Webster

Major Program: Agriculture

Simpson County 4-H received an Agriculture Mini Grant through the Kentucky 4-H Foundation to provide youth gardening opportunities this summer. The primary objective of the grant request was to teach youth how to grow their own food, including harvesting, preserving, and cooking what they grow. The Simpson County 4-H Agent, along with the Agriculture Agent, Franklin-Simpson Schools Community Education Director, and the Franklin-Simpson Farmer's Market Coordinators, are partnering to lead and

Full Story

Gardening Initiative

Author: Jason Phillips

Major Program: Local Food Systems

The Simpson County Extension Agents for Agriculture and 4-H Youth Development worked jointly to provide new programs during COVID-19, with home vegetable gardening resources being in high demand since the onset of the pandemic. As a result, our joint gardening programs began with Drive Thru Container Garden Kits where Extension provided 155 families with everything they needed to grow tomatoes last year.This year Simpson Co. Extension Agents continued our home gardening programs with squash cont

Full Story

Local Food Systems

Author: Jason Phillips

Major Program: Local Food Systems

Local food production systems have become a staple in many communities throughout the Commonwealth.   As buying local food products has continued to gain popularity, the Simpson County Extension Agent works with small and beginning farmers to ensure that appropriate resources are available from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service to provide the best opportunity for success.  Many small and beginning farmers utilize the Franklin-Simpson Farmers’ Market to help

Full Story
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