Horticulture Problem Solving, Food Systems Development and the Environment Plan of Work

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Nelson County CES

Title:
Horticulture Problem Solving, Food Systems Development and the Environment
MAP:
Horticulture, Forestry & Environmental Education, Advancement and Sustainability
Agents Involved:
Smith, Hagler, Howard
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Master Gardener
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Beekeeping
MAJOR PROGRAM 4:
Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
Situation:

Agriculture continues to be a strong force in Nelson County. In 2017 the U. S. Agriculture Census stated that nearly 74% of the county was in farmland, equaling 1434 farms. Nelson County farmers boast nearly $68,000,000 in goods and services sold in 2017. While a great majority of production is still traditional agriculture the popularity of local grown produce continues to show strong demand among many demographics. Fifty-four percent of vegetables and fruits are consumed fresh and each person consumes nearly 700 pounds of produce annually. If each of our 45,000 citizens consumes their average portion there would be a direct need for at least 15,000,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables. We currently produce nowhere near those quantities locally.  The 2019 Community Assessment stated that 13% of respondents identified a need for more food production skills within our community.  Consequently, there seems to be enormous potential for growth and farm income with the addition of fruit and vegetables into the farm crop rotation. the need for reeducation of adults and the education of youth about where food comes from and how to grow your own will remain a focus.  This large task will call for help from our Extension Master Gardeners who are trained, ready and willing to educate the community.   

Kentucky’s natural resources play an important role in our state’s social, economic, and environmental well-being. Today’s youth spend less time outdoors than previous generations (Clemonts, 2004; Karsten, 2005; Carver et al., 2008). Every five years (since 1999) the Kentucky Environmental Education Council (KEEC) conducts a survey to assess Kentuckian’s environmental knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. According to KEEC’s 2015-2020 Environmental Education Master Plan (2015), “…the average Kentuckian is able to answer correctly slightly more than half of the environmental knowledge questions included on the survey. This result leaves ample room for improvement” (p 27). Kentucky 4-H provides environmental education opportunities by engaging youth in hands-on, interdisciplinary educational experiences that foster an increased understanding and appreciation for natural resources and environmental sciences. Programs and projects are offered in the areas of environmental science, entomology, forestry and wood science, geology, soils, water, wildlife, and shooting sports. 

 

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:

• Homeowners will gain knowledge regarding disease management. 

• When purchasing plants homeowners will know what to look for in regards to quality and condition. 

• Homeowners will use chemicals in a responsible manner. 

• Homeowners will gain the skills needed to carryout home improvement projects. 

• Homeowners will become aware of the needs and habitat of plants and how that affects the plants lifespan. 

• Landowners will understand the value of their forested acres. 

• Families will better understand the vegetable and fruit gardening process. 

* Youth will increase their knowledge of forestry and horticulture principles and demonstrate their new skills at state forestry field days and horticulture judging contest. 

Youth will gain knowledge and skills in environmental sciences and natural resources content.  

Youth will gain an understanding of environmental sustainability and stewardship.  

Youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership. 

Evaluation:

Outcome: Homeowners, families, and landowners will gain understanding and knowledge that will help with their economic stability.

Indicator: Progressively more difficult subject matter will be requested and Master Gardener enrollment will increase.

Method: Surveys, group discussion, topic evaluation.

Timeline: Following the educational event, with a follow-up 1 month later.


Method: 4-H Programs will begin implementing the National 4-H Common Measures evaluation tools

Timeline: Gradually phased in over  2021 program years


Outcome: All areas of commercial horticulture will see prosperity due to more marketing options, increased yield and quality, and a better understanding of how their operation functions.

Indicator: Progressively more difficult inquiries will be made, more acreage will be planted, and stability will occur.

Method: Surveys, group discussion, one on one, interaction, evaluation, monitoring of Ag, statistics, and number of horticulture business licenses granted.

Timeline: Following each educational event that happens throughout the year.


Learning Opportunities:

Audience: The population of Nelson County interested in gaining knowledge and understanding of various horticulture topics. 

Project or Activity: Master Gardener Training 

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Curriculum 

Inputs: Instruction, meeting space, supplies, 

Date: Fall and winter 

Audience: Vegetable and Fruit Producers

Project or Activity: KY Vegetable Growers Winter Meeting

Content or Curriculum: Varied and Thorough topics

Inputs: Transportation

Date: Annually in the winter


Audience: Fruit and vegetable growers

Project or Activity: Good Agriculture Practices

Content or Curriculum: Food Safe handling

Inputs: Teaching

Date: Annually in the Spring


Audience: Farmers’ Market Vendors

Project or Activity: Farmers’ Market Fair

Content or Curriculum: Display and marketing workshop, Sampling demo and scale testing

Inputs: Teaching,

Date: Annually in the Spring


Audience: Commercial Vegetable Growers

Project or Activity: Vegetable Field Trial Program

Content or Curriculum: Onsite production trials for new growers

Inputs: Equipment, Teaching

Date: Annually in the Summer


Audience: Beekeepers and Vegetable Growers

Project or Activity: Beekeeping 101

Content or Curriculum: Series of classes designed to increase beekeepers understanding of their craft.

Inputs: Teaching, Transportation, Tools

Date: Spring 2022

Audience: Nelson County Youth 

Project or Activity: 4-H Bee Ambassadors 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Bee Ambassadors Curriculum 

Inputs: Program Materials, Meeting Space, Volunteers 

Date: Ongoing 

Audience: Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Project or Activity: Home-based Microprocessor training

Content or Curriculum: Safe food handling and preservation

Inputs: Teaching, equipment, and facilities

Date: Winter


Audience: Potential Commercial Growers

Project or Activity: Vegetable Growers Academy

Content or Curriculum: Series of Workshops aimed at introducing potential growers to various commercial crops

Inputs: Teaching, facilities, specialists

Date: Fall and winter 


Audience: Potential Commercial service providers

Project or Activity: Horticulture Service providers Academy and certification

Content or Curriculum: Series of Workshops aimed at introducing commercial clientele to the horticulture services sector.

Inputs: Teaching, facilities, specialists

Date: Fall and winter


Audience: The population of Nelson County interested in gaining knowledge and understanding of various horticulture topics.

Project or Activity: Master Gardener Training

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Curriculum

Inputs: Instruction, meeting space, supplies,

Date: Fall and winter


Audience: The population of Nelson County interested in gaining knowledge and understanding of various horticulture topics.

Project or Activity: Bloomfield Library Garden Series

Content or Curriculum: Various Horticulture Topics

Inputs: Instruction,

Date: Year-Round


Audience: Horticulture Enthusiasts

Project or Activity: Blooming Bardstown Garden Tour

Content or Curriculum: Visual display of proper gardening techniques

Inputs: Instruction, Site hosting,

Date: June


Audience: Nelson County Residents

Project or Activity: Nelson County Community Garden Projects

Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Gardening

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature

Date: Spring and Summer


Audience: Nelson County Residents

Project or Activity: Bee Keeping Club

Content or Curriculum: Bee Keeping from install to harvest

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature

Date: Year-Round


Audience: Nelson County Residents

Project or Activity: Woodland Owners Short Course and Field Day

Content or Curriculum: Forestry Curriculum

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature

Date: Winter


Audience: Nelson County Youth

Project or Activity: Horticulture Judging teams

Content or Curriculum: National Junior Horticulture Judging Contest Curriculum

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature, transportation

Date: Winter, Spring, and Summer


Audience: Nelson County 4-H Youth

Project or Activity: Natural Resource Educational Programs-Project  clubs, School Enrichment, etc

Content or Curriculum: 4-H curriculum

Inputs: Site, Education, Literature

Date: ongoing


Audience: Youth interested in Environmental Sciences

Project or Activity: Junior and Senior Forestry Field Days, Envirothon Contests, Forestry Leadership Program, Entomology Programs, Geology Programs  

Content or Curriculum: 4-H Forestry Curriculum and Natural Resources curriculums

Inputs: Instruction, meeting space, supplies,

Date: Fall and Spring


Audience: 4-H Youth 

Project or Activity:  4-H Shooting Sports 

Curriculum: Shooting Sports Curricula  

Inputs: Training, meeting space, equipment volunteers 

Date: Oct- Sept 

4-H Evaluation 

 



Success Stories

Master Gardeners

Author: Robert Smith

Major Program: Master Gardener

This past fall another graduating class joined the ranks of nearly 100 other Master Gardeners in Nelson County.  Eight participants completed the 12-week training that consisted of online, in-person, and applied fieldwork.  The collaboration of the state offered programming and the helpfulness of local gardeners for the use of their gardens as labs created a unique opportunity to learn together in different ways. 

Full Story

Education to Action- 4-H Water Quality Service Learning Projects

Author: Marsha Hagler

Major Program: Natural Resources

Education to Action- 4-H Water Quality Service Learning Projects

Nelson County, Kentucky is county that has very diverse ecosystems.  Driving through the county you see knobs areas, flat areas, karst areas, farm land, residential and so much more.  One common thread throughout our community is that it all parts of our culture and economy are very closely tied to water.  The agriculture community and the bourbon industry thrive because of easy access to water that is rich in minerals from the limestone in the area.  The community has seen a

Full Story

Water Quality

Author: Robert Smith

Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation

The City of Bardstown is growing and the growing pains come in many forms.  The city has recently been designated a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) community.  This means that the city now has to comply with the rules outlined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Bardstown is considered a small (phase II) MS4 community and  Phase II regulation requires small MS4s in U.S. Census Bureau defined urbanized areas, as well as MS4s designated by the permitting author

Full Story
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