Extension
It Starts With Us
Home and Commercial Horticulture and Forest Product Development
Sustainable Production and Marketing of Agriculture Products
Steve Musen
Sustainable Agriculture
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Commercial Horticulture
Forestry Industry Education
Located in the center of the "Golden Triangle," Owen County is within an hour's drive of the major urban markets of Cincinnati, Louisville and Lexington. Owen County is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the emerging direct marketing, locally sourced food movement. A growing number of vegetable, fruit, berry and cut-flower producers are marketing their products in farmers markets in these urban centers. New technologies are being tested and demonstrated to increase production, improve quality and bring produce to market earlier.
* Successful home and commercial projects will serve as models and teaching tools for others
* Increased home horticulture production will result in family food dollars saved and healthier meals
* Commercial producers will have increased profitability due to improved production and marketing
* Participants will begin implements new technologies to increase or enhance harvest
* Participants will begin exploring new marketing outlets
* Participants will be exposed to a variety of productions methods such as raised beds, plastic mulching, high tunnels, drip irrigation, greenhouses and hydroponics
* Participants will explore various marketing options such as roadside marketing, farmers markets, marketing to wholesalers and internet marketing.
Initial Outcome: Increased awareness of improved production technologies and marketing opportunities
Indicator: Number of individuals reporting changes in knowledge, opinions, skills or aspirations related to home and commercial horticulture
Method: pre- and post tests, phone conversations
Timeline: April-May, 2018
Intermediate Outcome: Implementation of new technologies and participation in new marketing opportunities
Indicator: Number of producers utilizing new technologies and marketing opportunities introduced by Extension
Method: Phone calls, Home and farm visits, questionnaires
Timeline: June, 2018
Long-term Outcome: New horticulture production systems which are profitable serve as teaching tools for others
Indicator: Number of homeowners and producers self-reporting an increase in profits as a result of adopting one or more practices recommended by Extension
Method: Surveys, home and farm visits
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Current and potential home gardeners
Project or Activity: Home Gardening Class
Content or Curriculum: Research based approved publications and presentations
Inputs: UK Consumer Horticulture Specialist, video presentation
Date: March, 2018
Audience: Current and potential commercial horticulture producers
Project or Activity: Commercial Greenhouse Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Research based approved publications and presentations
Inputs: UK Horticulture Specialists, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, farm visits
Date: May, 2018
Audience: Commercial Horticulture producers
Project or Activity: Sharing new marketing opportunities with producers
Content or Curriculum: Research based approved publications and presentations
Inputs: Newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles, farm visits
Date: Ongoing
Audience: Home Owners, Woodlot Owners and Commercial Producers
Project or Activity: Beginning and Intermediate Beekeeping Field Day
Content or Curriculum: Research based information, U.K. publications
Inputs: KDA and State Beekeeping Association Representatives, Newsletters, Direct Mailing, Newspaper articles
Date: September 2017
Audience: Land owners with woodlots
Project or Activity: Marketing Forest Products Webinar
Content or Curriculum: Research-based webinar presentations
Inputs: UK Forestry Specialists, U.K. publications, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles
Date: October, 2017
Audience: Land owners with woodlots
Project or Activity: Shiitake Mushroom Production Training
Content or Curriculum: Research-based video presentations
Inputs: UK Forestry Specialists, U.K. publications, newsletters, direct mailing, newspaper articles
Date: November, 2017
