Horticulture (Commercial/Home/Consumer) and Small Farm DevelopmentPlan of Work

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Pike County CES

Title:
Horticulture (Commercial/Home/Consumer) and Small Farm Development
MAP:
Diversification of Agriculture
Agents Involved:
Chaney, Porter, ANR Agent, Workman
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Horticulture, Commercial
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Master Gardener
Situation:

Pike County is not known for traditional agriculture (row crops) due to its mountainous terrain. According to the USDA Census of Agriculture, the number of farms in Pike County as of 2022 is 66.  Market value of products sold has climbed to $1,378,000, which is up 85% from 2017.  Farm related income has increased $301,000 up 11% from 2017.   Pike County has 100 farmers, approximately 2/3 were male and 1/3 were female.  7 were under age 35; 73 were from ages 35-64; 20 were age 65 & older.

Gardening is not just a nice hobby. It can improve nutrition, reduce stress, and be used as a therapeutic treatment in a variety of individuals. Environmentally, gardening can contribute to a community in providing a sociable environment, improve water quality, and reduce a community’s waste stream through composting of organic material. All of these assertions are supported in the program manual for the Kentucky Master Gardener Program.

Home Gardening is a key to better nutrition and healthier foods. An emphasis is in setting ground work for more home gardening and fruit production.  Gardening is a great way for local residents improve their diets and a good way to get exercise.

Landscaping is also an important factor in residential and commercial property as well as increasing the attractiveness of a community. Landscaping both soft-scaping and hard-scaping can add up to 20% to the value of a home.

An effective means for making gardening and landscaping more popular and widespread is through the Kentucky Master Gardener Program (MGP). This well-established program is oriented towards creating leaders as much as it is devoted to increasing the knowledge of its participants. A successful MGP can expand by the efforts of gardeners to teach others about the benefits of gardening and demonstrate the benefits of gardening through gardening projects, such as community gardens, community beautification projects, heritage or heirloom gardening, and youth gardening. Since MGP participants tend to come from a variety of backgrounds, this program is an excellent way for people to get involved with Extension programming and for Extension to spread its influence county wide.

Walking and horseback trails are a way for the residents and visitors to Pike County to become healthier and encourage a healthier lifestyle and economic boost to the area.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Goal 1:  The increase in amount and diversity of Agriculture Production in Pike County.

Goal 2:  The increase in the amount and diversity of fruits & vegetables grown.

Goal 3: The increase in community involvement in social, environmental, and economic conditions as they relate to agriculture, landscaping, and community beautification and good health.

Goal 4: Youth will utilize the scientific method to solve problems in their daily lives.

Goal 5: Youth will choose a career path in science, engineering or technology subject matter.

Goal 6: Youth will utilize the scientific method in decision-making.

Goal 7: Pike County residents and visitors will utilize our county as a walkable community.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Goal 1:  Increase production of marketable products to be sold at Farmers Market.

Goal 2:  Development and expansion of alternative agriculture markets and Farmers Market.

Goal 3:  Development and expansion of home fruit & vegetable production.

Goal 4:  County Farmers will demonstrate changes in diversification and efficiency of their operations through Extension offered workshops, classes, and tours.

Goal 5:  Increase in the diversity of agricultural operations.

Goal 6:  Producers will show an increase in the use of BMP’s.

Goal 7:  Farmers will increase the utilization of forested lands.

*Farmers/residents will develop and expand diversification by wise use of the land and resources at their disposal.  Individuals will become more proficient at making informed decisions in the areas of horticulture production, processing and preservation.

Goal 8: Increased community involvement in the development of walking/hiking and horseback riding trails

Goal 9: Increased community involvement in the development of community beautification both at home and in the community.

Goal 10:  The increase in the type & quality of value-added products.

Goal 11: Increased individual involvement in the improvement of their home situation.

Goal 12: Increased community nutrition and health benefits through support of the Farmers Market and home gardening.

Goal 13: Increased numbers of home gardeners.

Goal 14: Youth will utilize scientific methods to solve problems in their daily life.

Goal 15: Youth will choose a career path in science, engineering or technology subject matter.

Goal 16: Youth will utilize the scientific method in decision-making.

Goal 17: An increase in home beautification projects by participating individuals

Initial Outcomes:

Goal 1:  Knowledge of new and improved management skills for improved profitability.

Goal 2:  Knowledge of better management practices and conservation related to their enterprises.

Goal 3:  Understanding the importance of diversity in small operations.

Goal 4:  Knowledge that management and use of forest and forest products can be a viable enterprise.

Goal 5:  Knowledge of home food production and adopted practices.

Goal 6:  Youth will gain consumer knowledge of fruits, vegetables, as well as animal sciences through participation in “hands-on” programs.

Goal 7: Change awareness, knowledge, opinions, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed choices in the Home and Community Environment

Goal 8: An increase in awareness of Master Gardener program

Goal 9: Increase awareness of community projects supported by the Master Gardeners

Goal 10: Awareness of the health benefits from buying locally at the Farmers Market

Goal 11: Increase in community support of walking and horseback riding trails

Goal 12: Youth will increase interest and engagement in 4-H science, engineering and technology.

Goal 13: Youth will learn new skills in 4-H science, engineering and technology programs.

Goal 14: Youth be introduced to careers in science, engineering and technology programs.

Goal 15: Teens will participate in science, engineering, and technology 4-H programs to acquire new skills.

Evaluation:

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: Increase in community involvement with healthier lifestyles by more opportunities for physical activity in the environment

Method: Follow-up surveys and observations of trail use

Timeline: Summer and ongoing

 

Indicator: Increase in community involvement in beautification of the environment both community and home

Method: Survey and community observation

Timeline: yearly

 

Intermediate Outcome:

Indicator: Positive changes related to trails and community safety and appearance

Method: Follow-up, Surveys, observations

Timeline: Summer and ongoing

 

Initial Outcome:

Indicator: Clients will gain knowledge of practices to improve responsible gardening and landscaping that involves more efficient techniques and maintenance

Method: tracking of volunteer hours and monitoring of actual projects

Timeline: Summer and as appropriate

 

Indicator: Clients will develop more efficient ways to grow produce to add dollar value to amounts earned by farmers’ market plus value of home produce

Method: tracking of farmers’ market results, random sampling from individual families, and tracking of applicable volunteer hours

Timeline: Market season and primarily in summers

 

Indicator: Clients will change techniques to enhance a safer environment by changes in cultural practices in lawns and gardens to allow for a more environmentally safe way of production (measurable)

Method: Tracking of applicable volunteer hours and in-depth interviews with selected gardeners and homeowners to see the benefit of bmp’s

Timeline: Primarily spring and summer, June-Sept yearly

 

Indicator: The number of individuals involved in walking and riding trails

Method: Creation of walking trail map for Pike County.

 

Timeline: 2024 & 2025

 

Indicator: The number of youth participating and exhibiting knowledge of agriculture through 4-H projects and judging activities

Method: Tracking 4 H youths in their activities

Timeline: March through August, yearly

 

Indicator: The number of individuals attending workshops and demos to gain knowledge of fruit and vegetable production

Method: Follow-up to determine use of training

Timeline: Primarily January through April yearly, and as needed

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Forest Owners and Community

    Project or Activity:  Shiitake Mushrooms & Ginseng

    Content or Curriculum:  UK Curriculum

    Inputs:  Agents, Specialists, Volunteers

    Date:  Spring & Fall 

 

Audience:  Farmers, Gardeners, Interested Community Members

    Project or Activity:  Farmers Market

    Content or Curriculum:  Vegetable Production, Processing, Value Added

    Inputs:  Agents, Master Gardeners, Farmers, Community Members, & Local Chefs

    Date:  Primarily summer and fall, yearly

 

Audience:  Community

    Project or Activity:  Micro-processing curriculum, PBPT, All Samples, State & National Certifications

    Inputs:  Agents, Specialists, Frankfort

    Date:  Primarily Jan – May or as needed, yearly

 

Audience:  Community

    Project or Activity:  SR Vouchers, WIC Vouchers, SNAP, Health Services

    Content or Curriculum:  KDA and Federal Requirements

    Inputs:  KDA, Agent, Farmers Market, Local Health care providers

    Date:  Spring – applications; summer/fall – double dollars, etc.

 

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Master Gardener Program

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Training

Inputs: Paid staff, volunteers, University personnel

Date: Fall 2021-2024 (monthly meetings and trainings)

 

Audience: Adults

Project or Activity: Master Gardener Meetings

Content or Curriculum: UK materials/programs

Inputs: Agents, volunteers, University personnel

Date: March – December, yearly

 

Audience: Adults from across the county

Project or Activity: Greater Appalachian Trail & the Pike Energy Trail

Content or Curriculum: As needed

Inputs: Agents, Forestry Dept., Health Dept., County Judge's office, Fish and Wildlife, Core of Engineers

Date: as needed

 

Audience: Hikers

Project or Activity: Bob Amos Trail

Content or Curriculum: UK materials

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers, Master Gardeners

Date: Primarily spring through fall, year round

 

Audience: Hikers/children

Project or Activity: Grants Park Trail

Content or Curriculum: As needed

Inputs: Agents, Master Gardeners, Forestry Dept., County

Date: Primarily spring though fall, yearly

 

Audience: Homeowners

Project or Activity: Landscaping Workshop

Content or Curriculum: UK materials

Inputs: Master Gardeners, UK specialists, Agents

Date: Advice and classes in the fall, year round

 

Audience: Individual Homeowners

Project: Fruit & Vegetable Production Workshops

Content or Curriculum: UK materials

Inputs: Master Gardeners, UK Specialists, Agents

Date: Primarily Jan and Feb yearly and needed by farmers

 

Audience: Forest owners and community

Project or Activity: Shiitake Mushrooms & other forest products

Content or Curriculum: UK Curriculum

Inputs: Agents, specialists, volunteers

Date: Spring / Fall

 

Audience: 4-H Age Youth 9-19

Project or Activity: Science, Engineering and Technology

Content or Curriculum: Bicycle Safety, Electricity, ATV Curriculum, Small Engines & Carteens

Inputs: National 4-H Council Project Books, Project Camps, Project Groups and Self-Directed Projects

Date: Spring 2021-2024

 

Audience: General population

Project/Activity: Pike County FCS Council walking project

Content or curriculum: Creating a usable map of safe walking spaces in the county.

Inputs: FCS council, county government, YMCA, school systems, county residents

Date: Spring 2025

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