Extension
It Starts With Us
Horticulture
Horticulture and Local Food
Anderson, Messenger, Hayward
Local Food Systems
Master Gardener
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy
With the Locally grown movement in full swing, more and more individuals want to grow their own fruits and vegetables and live off of the land. Grant and loan programs through Extension and other agencies (USDA-FSA, USDA-NRCS, Soil Conservation, etc.) has allowed an increase in permanent structures such as high tunnels for producers. A second level to this is the Master Gardener program. It allows for community members to gain experience for their selves as well as share their wealth of knowledge with other producers and youth. A third level would be the push for farm to school movements. A school garden has been installed at the local elementary and middle schools. Something else that spans over all commodity groups is health and well-being of producers. Many farmers work long hours to get done what they need to. This often wears them down physically and mentally.
Extension Master Gardeners extend the educational outreach to community gardens, youth gardens, lawn and garden practices, etc.
Redemption rate of senior vouchers at the farmers’ market increases annually.
Redemption rate of WIC vouchers at the farmers’ market increase annually.
Extension Master Gardeners engage as facilitators for classes and/or workshops.
The elementary and middle schools provides some vegetables and greens for the cafeteria to serve.
Increase number of vendors with variety of products at the farmers’ market.
Extension Master Gardener Program flourishes with increasing number of certified volunteers.
Identify production methods to extend the growing season for fruits and vegetables.
Students gain an understanding of growing vegetables.
Initial Outcome: Master Gardeners will pass their certification exams and maintain their educational and volunteer hours.
Indicator: Number of certified volunteers.
Method: Exams and volunteer hours.
Timeline: December and June.
Initial Outcome: Identify production methods to extend the growing season for fruits and vegetables.
Indicator: Producers installing and developing plans to extend their growing season for the market.
Method: Number of pounds sold in extended months (April and May; October and November).
Timeline: Early Spring and Late Fall.
Initial Outcome: Students gain an understanding of growing vegetables.
Indicator: Produce living without much guidance for instructors.
Method: Pounds of produce harvested.
Timeline: Spring and fall.
Initial Outcome: Private pesticide applicators will complete a training course.
Indicator: Number of cards printed.
Method: Private applicator training materials (videos).
Timeline: December and February
Audience: Master Gardeners
Project or Activity: CEU opportunities
Content or Curriculum: Fruit & vegetable production topics
Inputs: UK specialists, industry professionals, horticulture agents, etc.
Date: Monthly
Audience: Home Gardeners
Project or Activity: Production Systems
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: UK specialists, industry professionals, horticulture agents, etc.
Date: Spring
Audience: Fruit & Vegetable Producers
Project or Activity: Farmers’ Market Meetings
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: UK specialists, industry professionals, horticulture agents, etc.
Date: Monthly
Audience: CCES (K-5)
Project or Activity: Raised Beds, Orchard, & Tower Gardens
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics/Junior Master Gardener
Inputs: Varies by topic
Date: August – April
Audience: CCMS (6-8)
Project or Activity: Raised Beds and Orchard
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics/Junior Master Gardener
Inputs: Varies by topic
Date: August – April
Audience: All Schools Cafeteria Staff
Project or Activity: Healthy Servings
Content or Curriculum: Smarter Lunch rooms
Inputs: Schools, SNAP-ED, etc.
Date: Fall and winter
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: Soil Testing
Content or Curriculum: UK Soil Lab
Inputs: UK specialists
Date: Year around
Audience: Horticulture Producers
Project or Activity: PBPT Training's
Content or Curriculum: PBPT Training Materials
Inputs: UK specialists, industry professionals, Horticulture agents, etc.
Date: As Needed.
Audience: Summer Feed Participants
Project or Activity: Adventures with Wally Cat
Content or Curriculum: Fruit, Veggie, and Nutrition
Inputs: FRYSC, Summer Feed Program, etc.
Date: Summer
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: QPR Session
Content or Curriculum: QPR Materials
Inputs: UK specialists
Date: Late Fall
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: Private Applicator Training
Content or Curriculum: Private Applicator Training Materials
Inputs: UK specialists & industry professionals
Date: December and February
Audience: All Producers
Project or Activity: Dinner Theater
Content or Curriculum: Ag. Safety in general
Inputs: UK specialists, industry professionals, local producers, etc.
Date: Early Spring
Audience: Producers
Project or Activity: CAIP (cost-share) Training's
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: UK specialists, industry professionals, Horticulture agents, etc.
Date: Fall
Author: Chelsey Anderson
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
According to the 2019 Health Profiles, Cumberland County has an obesity rate of 36% percent which is above the state level of 34%. Also, Cumberland County has a physical inactivity rate of 33% which is also above the state percentage which is 29%. As an effort to increase student’s awareness and improve behaviors related to good nutrition, the Cumberland County Family and Consumer Sciences agent and the Cumberland County Agriculture and Natural Resources agent partnered with Kindergarten t
