Extension
It Starts With Us
Home Horiculture
Sustainable Horticulture
Macy Fawns, Tad Campbell
Home & Consumer Horticulture
Master Gardener
Pesticide Safety – Plant Pests
Mason County has expressed a need for community gardens and home horticulture education classes. The city of Maysville and local residents are working towards the revitalization of the downtown area, with the intention of bringing more activity and business back into the area. Many residents who live in the area have expressed interest in gardening and would like central locations where they could have a small plot to grow fresh foods. Mason County Master Gardeners are currently helping to assist with establishing and caring for these plots. With the partnership of the agents, the local community college, and other local community leaders we think this need can be met.
Establishment of community gardens with regular caretakers
• Other groups form their own gardening clubs
• Local residents develop home gardens
Establishment of a community garden and groups to maintain flower garden beds
• An increase in residents who participate in garden programs and demonstrate learned garden practices
• Regular volunteers (Master Gardeners, and Garden Club members) who help educate others
Determine where to put the community gardens
• Teach others how to garden and build up new gardens
• Educate public on how to grow fruits and vegetables
• Develop relationships with the City of Maysville, tourism, and community college in order to collaborate on gardening projects and programs.
Long-term Outcome: Establishment of community gardens, revitalization of local city flower beds, and create regular trained volunteers to assist with community gardening needs.
Indicator: Observance of community gardens, and flower beds. Increase in the Master Gardener program members and other community garden club members who interact in community projects.
Method: surveys, observation, gardening practices
Timeline: 3 years
Intermediate Outcome: Can see the effects in the community and in youth who have learned about horticulture
Indicator: More participation in gardening programs, see more gardening projects in the schools and around the county.
Method: surveys, observation, practices and contests
Timeline: 2 year
Short-term Outcome: More participation in extension field days, classes, farmers market, and fair.
Indicator: Track participation
Method:More participation in extension field days, classes, farmers market, and fair.
Timeline: 1 year
Audience: Youth and Families
Project or Activity: Rain Barrel Class
Content or Curriculum: How to build a rain barrel
Inputs: barrel, money, time, and agents
Date: Spring
Audience: Local Residents
Project or Activity: Gardening Classes
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Program
Inputs: Specialists, money, time, agents, supplies
Date: January
Audience: Local producers
Project or Activity: Beekeeping
Content or Curriculum: Specialist for District 1
Date: Fall
Audience: JR. Gardener's Toolbox Classes
Project or Activity: Gardening Classes, Preparing fresh foods
Content or Curriculum: Jr. Master Gardeners Manual activities
Date: Summer
Audience: Local Residents
Project or Activity: Christmas Wreath Class
Content or Curriculum:hands on project
Inputs:agents, program assistant, materials, greens
Date: Winter
Audience: Local Residents
Project or Activity: Turf Management Series
Content or Curriculum: UK Specialist presentations using Skype to District 1
Inputs: agents, program assistant, materials, web-based programming, extension offices, UK personnel
Date: Fall
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Local Food Systems
According to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau, Kentucky’s poverty rate is 18.5%. Mason County’s poverty percent is above state average at 19.5%. Many children do not get the chance to taste fresh vegetables nor do they get the opportunity to grow their own food. The horticulture agent partnered with Girl Scouts to teach a program at the local Boys & Girls club which consisted of twelve youth gaining nutritional knowledge and incorporating fresh produce into their diet. I conduct
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Commercial Horticulture
A high tunnel is defined by growing fruit or vegetables in a greenhouse, but the plants are grown in the ground and no heat is provided. High tunnels can be used to extend the production time, allowing local farmers to produce fruit or vegetables during times of the year that normally would not be possible. High tunnels are somewhat new to the Buffalo Trace area and many Mason County residents never seen one. A tunnel is a great resource because farmers can plant month’s earlier, in compar
Author: Tad Campbell
Major Program: Farm Management
Historically women have taken a lesser role in management decisions on the farm, however, more and more women are taking the lead in management for farm operations. The Buffalo Trace Counties have offered a Farm School for Women for the last eight years. The program consists of multi-sessions during the annual offering. Participants have taken part in sessions that include farm management, estate planning, machinery maintenance, crop production, weed management, horticulture,
Author: Lorin Fawns
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
For many folks in Fleming County, the best apple to use in cooking is the Goddard Apple. This variety of apple tree is named for the area of the county it was established in and for Joseph Goddard, the founder of the community. The concern for this variety, is the few trees that are left are over 100 years old and in major decline. An apple tree workshop for the region was held at the Fleming County Extension office in March with participants attending from 7 counties wi
