Extension
It Starts With Us
Commercial and Homeowner Horticulture Education
Enhancing Commercial & Consumer Hort. Advancement
Kara Back, Kimberly Thomas
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 2022 - January-June 2023
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: January-May 2023
Audience: Adults at 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 2022 - June 2023 - Adult & Children Classes 3rd Monday & 3rd Wednesday of every month
Audience: Residents of Taylor & Surrounding Counties
Project or Activity: Farmers' Market Health Fair, National Farmers' Market Week Celebration, Farmers' Market Fall Festival and other events at the Farmers' Market
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 2022 - June 2023
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 2022 & March 2023
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 2022, 2023
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: November 2022
Audience: Commercial Vegetable Producers
Project or Activity: Commercial Growers Yearly Workshop
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: November 2022
Audience: Adults and Youth at the Library
Project or Activity: Both Adult Horticulture Monthly Programs and Summer Youth Horticulture Programs Covering a Vast Range of Topics
Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky and other University of Kentucky and other State Extension Publications
Inputs: Taylor County Extension Office and Taylor County Library
Date: July 2022 - June 2023
Audience: 4-H Youth
Project or Activity: Monthly Horticulture Special Interest Group
Content or Curriculum: Junior Master Gardener Curriculum, U.K. 4-H Curriculum-Horticulture
Inputs: Taylor County 4-H and Horticulture Agents, Master Gardeners
Date: July 2022 - June 2023
Audience: Residents of Taylor County
Project or Activity: Monthly Busy Bloomers Garden Club
Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky publications
Inputs: Garden Club Members and Horticulture Agent, Trips
Date: July 2022 - June 2023
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Agriculture
The Taylor County 4-H horticulture team this year consisted of seven juniors and two seniors. This is the most 4-Hers Taylor County has had to participate locally and on the state level. Seven practices were held over the summer. These practices were miniature versions of the state contest, consisting of judging produce and plants along with plant identification. Two participants went above and beyond by creating their own photo study book to assist them with preparation for the cont
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Master Gardener
The 2023 Master Gardener Educational Program started on January 12th and concluded on May 4th. This program year the Horticulture Agent took the constructive criticism received from last year’s program to make improvements. The main concern was not enough hands-on activities. Within each class during the 2023 program, the Horticulture Agent focused more on activities than lectures. Lectures did occur, but it was drastically reduced in length from last year. The hands-on activities were pra
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Agriculture
The Taylor County Fair showed an increase in the 4-H Horticulture exhibits this year. Three project days were held during spring break and many of those projects returned to be judged at the fair. These projects consisted of terrariums, dish gardens, upcycle, container garden, herb garden, annual, and leaf collections. Last year there were 19 entries. This year there were 49 horticulture entries. After judging the entries were displayed along with the other 4-H fair entries in the 4-H building a
Author: Kara Back
Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial
Insect and disease scouting was requested by commercial producers in Taylor County. The Horticulture Agent starts the weekly site visits in January and continues through October. These visits help improve the producers' harvest / sales by identifying insects and pests as soon as possible. A new tool has been developed for more efficiency on these site visits. The Taylor County Horticulture Agent last year used a receipt book to track insect counts on sticky cards and diseases found in local
