Extension
It Starts With Us
Commercial and Homeowner Horticulture Education
Enhancing Commercial & Consumer Hort. Advancement
Kara Back, 4-HYD
Local Food Systems
Master Gardener
Horticulture, Commercial
Homeowners are wanting to have a more sustainable lifestyle by raising their own fruits and vegetables and caring for their landscape. There is also an increase in commercial horticulture to sell in produce auctions, and an increased interest in local food systems. Under the direction of the Extension Council and Farmers' Market, educational programs are needed to enhance these interests.
Improve food management skills and healthy eating habits through raising own foods, while commercial producers are sustaining profitability.
Help commercial growers reach profit sustainability, by providing educational opportunities to implement within their operations.
Having a sustainable Farmers' Market.
Residents within the county will have the opportunity to participate in the Master Gardener's Program to gain education, which can be used to improve not only their own home / farm, but also the community through educational projects.
Homeowners will implement best management practices to ensure a bountiful harvest.
Citizens have access to more local foods.
More households will plant, harvest, and preserve produce.
Commercial producers adopt recommended practices that lead to more profitability.
Increase number of patrons at Farmers' Markets.
Homeowners are motivated to improve landscapes.
Residents will be able to participate in projects within the Master Gardener's Program. They will gain knowledge in botany, disease, entomology, soil composition, etc., which they can use to educate others.
Understand the importance of sustainable local agriculture to their health and financial well-being.
Homeowners learn about different varieties and best management practices of fruit and vegetables.
Commercial growers learn about best management practices, new methods, and new technologies.
Residents will be able to participate in projects within the Master Gardener's Program will gain knowledge in botany, disease, entomology, soil composition, etc
Initial Outcome: Individuals, homeowners, and commercial growers will gain knowledge about horticulture's role in their daily lives and economic endeavors.
Indicator: Number of individuals who report changes in knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations.
Method: Post-test
Timeline:End of program series.
Intermediate Outcome: Individuals, homeowners, and commercial growers will implement gained knowledge within their lifestyles, and economic endeavors.
Indicator: Number of people who implement at least one practice which was taught during any of the horticulture classes / series.
Method: Follow up survey / interviews.
Timeline: Annually.
Long-term Outcome: Individuals, homeowners, and commercial growers will enjoy a healthier lifestyle, and sustainable profitability through education provided by UK Extension.
Indicator: Individuals enjoy a healthier & more self-sufficient lifestyle, while commercial growers will gain a more sustaining profit.
Method: Pre and post evaluation in addition to monitoring of health statistics & social economic indicators within Taylor County.
Timeline: Beginning and end of program.
Audience: Commercial Vegetable Producers
Project or Activity: Weekly or Bi-Weekly On-Farm Instruction: Insect Pests, Production & Disease
Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, UK Publications from: http://www.uky.edu/hort/documents-list-commercial-vegetable
Inputs: UK Specialists & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent
Date: July-September 2021 - January-June 2022
Audience: Home Horticulture
Project or Activity: Class Series: Production, Disease, Pesticide Classes
Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, UK Publications from: http://www.uky.edu/hort/documents-list-commercial-vegetable
Inputs: UK Specialists & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent
Date: July 2021 - June 2022
Audience: Residents of Taylor and surrounding counties
Project or Activity: Master Gardener Program
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Program Manual
Inputs: UK Specialists, Additional Horticulture Agents, & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent
Date: July 2021 - June 2022
Audience: Adults & Children Living within Campbellsville Housing
Project or Activity: Campbellsville Housing Horticulture Program
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky, & The Master Gardener's Handbook
Inputs: Campbellsville Housing Event Coordinator & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent
Date: July 2021 - June 2022 - Adult & Children Classes 3rd Monday & 3rd Wednesday of every month
Audience: Residents of Taylor & Surrounding Counties
Project or Activity: Wreath Class and Floral Design
Content or Curriculum: The AIFD Guide to Floral Design
Inputs: Florists & Taylor County Horticulture Agent
Date: December 2021 & April 2022
Audience: Residents of Taylor & Surrounding Counties
Project or Activity: Farmers' Market Health Fair, National Farmers' Market Week Celebration, & Farmers' Market Fall Festival
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky & SNAP-ED Resources
Inputs: Taylor County Health Department, Farmers' Market Association, Inc. of Taylor County, and the Taylor Co. Cooperative Extension Office Agents.
Date: July 2021 - October 2022
Audience: The Healing Place
Project or Activity: Recovery Garden
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky
Inputs: The Healing Place, and the Taylor County Extension Office
Date: September 2021 & March 2022
Audience: 9 - 18 year old youth
Project or Activity: 4-H Horticulture Judging Contest
Content or Curriculum: NJHA Material, 4-H horticulture curriculum
Inputs: Local nurseries, grocery stores, producers, forestry specialists, & Taylor Co. Horticulture and 4-H Agent
Date: June - August 2021, 2022
Audience: Category 3 & 20 Commercial Applicator License Holders
Project or Activity: Tri-County Lawn Care CEU Course
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky and surrounding states' publications
Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, KDA Inspectors, County Agents
Date: December 2021
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Master Gardener
In January 2022 the Taylor County Horticulture agent taught her second group of Master Gardeners. Within the previous 2 years it was difficult to obtain participants for classes due to concerns of COVID-19. Zoom options for webinars had not done well in Taylor County. An in-person Master Gardener class began on January 13th and met for 18 weeks. This program met at night because there were several requests for it to occur after 5:00p.m. This was taught solely by the Horticulture agent (a m
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Agriculture
Last year county fair entries were low for 4-H due to the lack of a 4-H agent and the ability for students to participate in 4-H school clubs due to COVID-19. This year the Horticulture agent worked with the 4-H agent to plan a month long horticulture county fair project day each Tuesday to create entries. The projects consist of terrariums, annual containers, dish gardens, herb gardens, window boxes, leaf collections, and houseplants. Taylor County Master Gardeners have been a vital component t
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Volunteer Development
2022 Kentucky Volunteer Forum Education is critical in preparing volunteers for the role they accepted and should be designed to enhance their knowledge and skills (Kerka, 2003). Volunteer education develops the knowledge and skills volunteers need to execute their roles effectively (Brudney, 1990; Culp, 1997; Cumming, 1998; Wilson, 1976). Volunteers respond more favorably to roles and responsibilities when they understand and are able to perform the tasks required of them (Hoover & Con
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
The Casey County ANR agent approached the Taylor County Horticulture and ANR agent with the idea to create and host a Women in Ag Conference. The goal of this conference was to provide agriculture / horticulture programming with a focus on women. With knowledge the women gained, the agents are hoping they will take what they learned and apply it to an existing or new farming enterprise. Along with several other ANR and horticulture agents in neighboring counties, the first Central Kentucky Women
