Extension
It Starts With Us
Home Horticulture
Thriving Individuals, Strong Families
NR
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Master Gardener
Nutrition and Food Systems General
Community Leadership Development
Gardening interest is on the rise. 77% of American households garden in some way, according to the National Gardening Survey. Other estimates reveal that consumer horticulture and supporting industries contribute nearly $200 billion to the US economy each year and support over 2 million jobs. Recent trends indicate that more and more Americans are growing their own food (35% of households.) Gardening provides more than a healthy food supply. It also offers an outlet for affordable exercise. 40% of Marshall County adults are obese or overweight (Extension Community Needs Assessment) and may benefit from gardening related exercise.
The Kentucky Extension Master Gardener (EMG) Program develops trained volunteers to assist county Extension staff in meeting this need for research-based information and public outreach while simultaneously encouraging volunteers to become leaders in the community. The residents of Marshall County indicated that they would like to see more qualified leaders to prepare the community for the future, and also more citizens helping to solve local issues (Extension Needs Assessment 2019.)
Marshall County gardeners will continue to look to Cooperative Extension for unbiased expert gardening advise.
Home Horticulture:
Increase access of fresh food
Reduce plant loss in landscaping
Minimize environmental impact by following recommended use of pesticides, herbicides, and/or fertilizers
Added value or reduced expenses with landscaping
Volunteer for community horticulture projects
Improve physical, social and/or mental health
Develop employment skillsMaster Gardeners:
The public has a positive perception of EMG volunteers as reliable sources for home horticulture information.
EMG Volunteers extend the educational outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service in areas such as community gardens, youth gardening, environmentally sustaining lawn and garden practices, and other topics.
Food Insecure families increase health and finances because of using EMG donation garden produce.
Home Horticulture:
Use Extension diagnostic services
Be active in gardening
Diversify plant varieties
Add native plants to landscaping
Use Integrated Pest Management practices
Adopt best practices in water quality and/or soil health
Handle chemical safelyMaster Gardeners:
All Participants/ EMG volunteers maintain consistency in completing hours to maintain certification.
Participants (certified EMG volunteers) put into practice the skills learned when completing volunteer hours and working with clientele
Participants engage as facilitators and presenters for classes, lectures, or workshops EMG volunteers practice effective skills when interacting with clientele
EMG volunteers have positive perceptions of their role as reliable sources for home horticulture information
Food Insecure families utilize produce, healthy recipes and educational resources donated by the EMG's
Home Horticulture:
Increase their knowledge of horticulture and best practices in soil health, water conservation, and chemical use
Recognize the value of diagnostic testing
Match plants to appropriate planting location
Understand the value of native plants
Discuss pollinator protection
Locate Extension horticulture resources
Observe horticulture and food preparation demonstrationsMaster Gardener:
Participants gain knowledge in many aspects of home horticulture. This is measured through regular quizzes.
Participants become more aware of Extension’s role in addressing the needs of local residents
Participants master the EMG curriculum by passing (score of 75% or better) comprehensive exam given at the end of the training.
Participants become Certified EMG volunteers when they master the curriculum and provide 30 hours in volunteer service to the local Cooperative Extension Office.
EMG Volunteers donate produce raised in the Extension donation garden, healthy recipes and educational resources to food insecure families
Initial Outcome: Residents recognize the resources UK Extension has to offer.
Indicator: Participation numbers and survey responses
Method: Surveys and Sign in Sheets
Timeline: Continuous
Intermediate Outcome: Increased number of residents gardening/landscaping and increases number utilizing Extension resources or attending programs.Indicator: Number of tests submitted through office, number of client questions, program participation numbers, etc.
Method: Agent records for reporting
Timeline: Continuous
Long-term Outcome: Residents have improved gardens/landscapes/lawns, health from garden related exercise, home value and/or self worth.
Indicator: Clients admit to having improved gardens, health, home value or self worth due to utilization of Extension horticulture resources or participation in Extension horticulture programming.
Method: Communication with the clients, surveys, etc.
Timeline: Continuous
Audience: Marshall County's "Agriculture List"
Project or Activity: Nikki's Newsletter
Content or Curriculum: Timely updates and articles on farm and garden related topics
Inputs: UK/KSU specialists, agents, and resources, Extension volunteer articles, KY Horticulture Newsletter articles, KY Pest News, UK Agriculture Communications articles, NEP- Nutrition Education Program articles, etc.
Date: Continuous
Audience: Aspiring Master Gardener Volunteers
Project or Activity: Marshall Master Gardener Class
Content or Curriculum: EMG Core Curriculum
Inputs: Sessions taught by Agents, Specialists or local experts utilizing Extension publications, research and resources.
Date: Fall 2022, Fall 2025
Audience: Master Gardener Volunteers
Project or Activity: EMG Continuing Education
Content or Curriculum: EMG Curriculum, UK/KSU and other University's resources, etc.
Inputs: UK/KSU specialists, agents, and resources, local experts, Extension volunteers, KY Horticulture Newsletter articles, KY Pest News, UK Agriculture Communications articles, etc.
Date: Continuous
Audience: Gardening/Landscape Enthusiast
Project or Activity: Home Horticulture Classes and Workshops
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Resources
Inputs: UK/KSU Specialists, agents, and resources, local experts, and Extension volunteers
Date: Continuous
Audience: Residents with Gardens or Landscapes
Project or Activity: Home Visits and Client Questions
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Resources
Inputs: UK/KSU Specialists, agents, and resources, local experts, and Extension volunteers, Diagnostic labs, etc.
Date: Continuous
Audience: The 3,481 resident who receive food stamps and the 3,570 residents who are food insecure in Marshall County (Extension Needs Assessment 2019)
Project or Activity: Donation Garden
Content or Curriculum: UK/KSU Resources, NEP Resources, Plate It Up KY Proud recipes, etc.
Inputs: Agent and EMG Volunteer time
Date: Continuous
Sources:
https://extension.ca.uky.edu/files/marshall_extension_community_assessment_2019.pdf
Author: Nicole Rhein
Major Program: Master Gardener
Master Gardeners are often long term volunteers for the Extension Service. Agents often find it difficult to teach new skills to veteran MG's once they have participated in Extension programs for many years. Marshall County ANR Agent, Nikki Rhein, researched new opportunities in an attempt to inspire and educate both her seasoned and newer volunteers alike.On July 12th, 2023, Nikki took her Master Gardeners (MG's) on a two day trip to Jackson, Tn. The trip included 3 educational stops. T
Author: Nicole Rhein
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Every spring when the forsythia bushes start to bloom, the local Extension Office's phone starts ringing. Clients with home horticulture questions start buzzing with anticipation for the upcoming garden season and as their preparations are made, they have many questions. The string of questions continues as the season progresses, making home horticulture questions a very demanding and time consuming responsibility for Agriculture and Natural Resources Agents, especially those who do not have
Author: Nicole Rhein
Major Program: Master Gardener
Home gardeners regularly call the Marshall County Extension Office asking how to properly take care of plants they have acquired. Often times, the plant information provided by a retailer fails to provide the necessary instruction needed to successfully grow the plant or has misleading/incorrect information.The Marshall Master Gardener Association (MMGA) offers a plant sale annually. This event has three goals. 3.) Provide an outlet for the community to purchase affordable plants with the intent
