HorticulturePlan of Work
Cumberland County CES
Title:
Horticulture
MAP:
Horticulture and Local Food
Agents Involved:
Anderson, Messenger, Hayward, Wilson
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Pollinators
Situation:
- 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.
Long-Term Outcomes:
- Extension 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.
Intermediate Outcomes:
- 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.
Initial Outcomes:
- Identify production methods to extend the growing season for fruits and vegetables.
- Students gain an understanding of growing vegetables.
Evaluation:
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
Learning Opportunities:
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 Garden
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics/Junior Master Gardener
Inputs: Varies by topic
Date: September – 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: Early blight tomato trials
Content or Curriculum: UK
Inputs: UK Horticulture Specialist (Gauthier)
Date: Summer 2022
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: 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: Producers
Project or Activity: CAIP (cost-share) Training's
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: UK specialists, industry professionals, Horticulture agents, etc.
Date: Fall
Success Stories
Farm to Fork
Author: Chelsey Anderson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
Cumberland County Extension Office hosted a Farm to Fork event on July 21st, 2022 on Hill Street in Burkesville. This event was to raise awareness of local KY Proud produce and meat and fundraise for Feed My Sheep Food Pantry. The county received partial funding through Kentucky Department of Agriculture to host the event. In total, 84 individuals participated in the event, this included Sharon Spencer from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Ryan Qua
Full Story
Cumberland County Farmers Market
Author: Chelsey Anderson
Major Program: Local Food Systems
The Cumberland County Farmer’s Market started the 2023 season off to a racing start. The market became their own 501C3 during the off season. They are now operating on their own with no guidance from the Extension Office, except for training such as PBPT or Micro-processing. The vendor numbers have tripled since last season from three to nine. The market is offering everything from crafts, to vegetables, to live animals. The vendors still accept Senior and WIC vouchers for county res
Full Story
- Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
- S107 Ag. Science Center North
- Lexington, KY 40546-0091
- +1 (859) 257-4302
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