Extension
It Starts With Us
Horticulture
Horticulture and Local Food
Anderson, Messenger
Local Food Systems
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Soil testing
Plant Disease ID
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.
Extension Master 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.
Extension Master Gardeners engage as facilitators for classes and/or workshops.
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.
Extension Master Gardener Program flourishes with increasing number of certified volunteers.
Identify production methods to extend the growing season for fruits and vegetables.
Students gain an understanding of growing vegetables.
Initial Outcome: Master Gardeners will pass their certification exams and maintain their educational and volunteer hours.
Indicator: Number of certified volunteers.
Method: Exams and volunteer hours.
Timeline: December and June.
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
Audience: Home Gardeners
Project or Activity: Production Systems
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: UK specialists, industry professionals, horticulture agents, etc.
Date: Early Spring
Audience: CCES (K-5)
Project or Activity: Raised Beds, Orchard, Tower Garden & Recipes for Life (5th Grade Students, MyPlate (4th Grade Students), LEAP (K-3 Students
Content or Curriculum: Various Topics
Inputs: Varies by topic
Date: September – April
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: Continued Early blight tomato trials
Content or Curriculum: UK
Inputs: UK Horticulture Specialist (Gauthier)
Date: Summer 2023
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
Author: Chelsey Anderson
Major Program: Community Vitality and Leadership - ANR
Cumberland County Extension Office hosted a Farm to Fork event on July 21st, 2023, at the Morgan Farm in Burkesville, KY. 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. Roughly, 110 individuals participated in the event, including Sharon Spencer from the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. A KY Proud meal made up of items from Cherry
Author: Chelsey Anderson
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Over the last few years, the Feed My Sheep Food Pantry has encouraged producers to grow a little extra in their gardens to bring to the pantry. In the spring of 2023, several producers in the gardening group planted extra just to take to the pantry. Produce being grown for that reason was tomatoes, squash, zucchini, peppers, green beans, potatoes, and cushaw. Overall, in 2023, these producers donated roughly 558lbs of produce. This is equivalent to 930 meals based from Feeding Americas average w
Author: Chelsey Anderson
Major Program: Forest Education: Health, Management, and Utilization
In 2019, a local producer signed up to be part of a white oak initiative through the University of Kentucky. Acorns were collected from the producers’ land in Cumberland County as the first step. Those acorns were then propagated, and seedlings formed. From those, they have established 20 progeny tests which was phase two, scattered throughout the eastern United States. Now, in phase three, the project is establishing seedling and grafted seed orchards. One of the grafts from a twig from t
