Extension
It Starts With Us
Horticulture
Horticulture
Rebecca Konopka
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Local Food Systems
Horticulture, Commercial
Small Farm Diversification
In 2018 the National Gardening Survey indicated that 77% of American households garden in some way. Other estimates reveal that consumer horticulture and supporting industries contribute nearly $200 billion to the US economy each year and support over 2 million jobs. Recent trends indicate that more and more Americans are growing their own food (35% of households) while interests in ornamentals remains high, particularly in gardening to support pollinators and other ecological uses of plants. American gardens will continue to look to Cooperative Extension for specific answers to their gardening questions.
Increase access and variety of fresh local produce
Reduce plant loss in landscaping
Minimize environmental impact by following recommended use of pesticides, herbicides, and/or fertilizers
Added value or reduced expenses with landscaping
Improve physical, social and/or mental health
Use Extension diagnostic services
Be active in gardening
Diversify plant varieties
Add native plants to landscaping
Use Integrated Pest Management practices
Adopt best practices in water quality and/or soil health
Handle chemicals safely
Increase their knowledge of horticulture and best practices in soil health, water conservation, and chemical use
Recognize the value of diagnostic testing
Match plants to appropriate planting location
Understand the value of native plants
Discuss pollinator protection
Locate Extension horticulture resources
Observe horticulture and food preparation demonstrations
Initial Outcome: Clientele will learn basic gardening techniques
Indicator: Produce grown
Method:Social media, Phone calls, News Articles, Meetings, Farm & Office Visits
Timeline: Ongoing
Intermediate Outcome: Clientele use diagnostic services
Indicator: Soil Tests, Plant Samples
Method: Social media, Phone calls, News Articles, Meetings, Farm & Office Visits
Timeline: Ongoing
Long-term Outcome: More producers participate in Farmer's Market
Indicator: Increase in vendors
Method:Farmer's Market Meetings & Training's
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Farmer's Market Vendors
Project or Activity: Meetings
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: KDA
Date: April-October
Audience: Landowners
Project or Activity: Newsletters, Farm Visits, Social Media, Field Days, Meetings
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs:UK Specialists, Agents
Date: Ongoing
Author: Rebecca Konopka
Major Program: Beekeeping
The Little Sandy Beekeepers Association meet bimonthly to share ideas and learn tips and techniques to improve their operations. The Association has continued to meet via zoom throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Carter County ANR Agent has secured speakers including UK Extension specialists and organized the zoom calls. Topics have included plants for bees, preparing hives for fall and winter, resources available through SOAR, and an update from the KY St
Author: Rebecca Konopka
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
The pandemic gave people more time at home to focus on gardening and forced Extension Agents to turn to virtual programming. As a result of this the Carter County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources created Ready, Set, Grow: The Seed Series. Videos about various garden topics were posted on Facebook and YouTube. After watching the video, participants could request free seed packets that had been donated to the
Author: Rebecca Hayes
Major Program: Agriculture
The six session gardening program was geared toward youth to learn about gardening, how to read gardening labels and tools, as well learning to make flower arrangements, the benefits of indoor plants and use what they grew from their garden in recipes. All youth learned how to take a seed and grow it into a product. They successfully grew flowers and made floral arrangements from them as well as grow tomatoes, jalapenos, and peppers to make salsa. At every session, youth learned about a healthy
