Carroll County CES

Title:

Commercial and Home Horticulture Production

MAP:

Agriculture Enhancement and Sustainability

Agents Involved:

Maggie Forsee, Christy Eastwood, and Joyce Doyle

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Horticulture, Consumer and Home

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Active Living and Health Promotions General

MAJOR PROGRAM 4:

Agriculture

Situation:

According to the 2017 Census of Agriculture, Carroll County has 308 farms consisting of 50,908 total acres (58.06% of the total county acreage).  The market value of products sold was reported to be $5,811,000.   Crop sales contributed 57.63% ($3,349,000) of the total value.  Approximately $1,281,000 of those crop sales are a result of nursery and greenhouse crops.

The National Agriculture Statistic Service (NASS) reports the following farms and acreage (if available) in horticulture production:

Vegetables:     12 farms (18 acres)

Fruits:              8 farms (8 acres)

Berries:            2 farms

Horticulture production is an important element of agriculture production in Carroll County, as it has been another opportunity to diversify from traditional crop and livestock production.  Managing this area of production correctly is essential to the success of other production systems in the county, as well as environmental protection.

A 2018 National Gardening Survey indicated that 77% of American households garden in some way.  Recent trends indicate that more and more Americans are growing their own food (35% of households) while interests in ornamentals remains high, particularly in the area of gardening to support pollinators and other ecological uses of plants.

According to Carroll County’s ES-237 only 26 % of students live on a farm.  With that being said, it would be obvious that these students would need to be taught where there food comes from and the impact that agriculture has on his/her daily life.

Agriculture representatives of the County Extension Council, County Agricultural Development Council, and Riverview Farmers’ Market, as well as day-to-day clientele, have identified best management practices, agriculture awareness, and marketing as priorities for Extension programming in Commercial and Home Horticulture Production.

Long-Term Outcomes:

• Increase profits for commercial horticulture producers, including the members of the Riverview Farmers' Market.
• Increase access to fresh local produce by local residents.
• Minimize the environmental impact on air, soil, and water from commercial horticulture operations and home horticulture.
• Carroll County youth will be agriculturally literate.
• Carroll County youth will make informed decisions regarding agricultural products and services. 
• Carroll County youth will be advocates for agriculture and sustainable fiber and food production.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Producers adopt best management practices to improve crop yield and quality.
• Increased use of Extension diagnostic services (soil testing, plant/disease/insect identification, farm/home visits).
• Carroll County youth will explain the role of agriculture in daily life.
• Carroll County youth will utilize and practice life-skills in 4-H agricultural projects and clubs, and life situations.
• Carroll County youth plan and implement an agriculture project in commercial and home  horticulture production

Initial Outcomes:

• Producers and homeowners will increase knowledge about:
  • Utilizing testing and diagnostic services to improve management and production.
  • Recordkeeping and financial management in commercial operations.
  • Available resources to assist with marketing products.
  • Available resources to assist with home gardening/landscaping.
  • Integrated pest management.
  • Proper horticulture production practices.
• Carroll County youth will gain knowledge and skills in the production of food and fiber in the areas of animal and food science, and plant and soil science. 
• Carroll County youth will gain an understanding of sustainable agricultural systems.
• Carroll County youth will develop valuable life-skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communications, record-keeping, wise use of resources, and leadership.

Evaluation:

Outcome:  

Long term

Indicator:

Increase in horticulture crop cash receipts.   Increase in the number of consumers of the Riverview Farmers Market.  Increase in redemption rates for Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SrFMNP) and Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP).

Method:

NASS information from the Kentucky Field Office—County summary given for each year. Surveys of the members of the Riverview Farmers Market. Yearly county SrFMNP and FMNP redemption reports from Kentucky Department of Agriculture.

Timeline:

2 – 4 years

Outcome:

Intermediate

Indicator:

Increased use of Extension diagnostic services.   Feedback from Riverview Farmers’ Market members.  Increase in the number of Carroll County youth who demonstrated a skill that was learned or improved by participating in 4-H agriculture programming.           

Method:

Record of diagnostic services requested.  Surveys of Riverview Farmers’ Market members. 4-H Common Measures Experience Survey.

Timeline:

1 – 2 years

Outcome:

Initial

Indicator:

Increased participation in educational workshops and classes.

Method:

Attendance Sheets

Timeline:

6 months – 2 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:

Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers

Activity:

First Fridays

Content or Curriculum:

Plate It Up! recipes and materials, Demonstrations with fresh produce

Inputs:

Extension Agents, Staff Assistant, Riverview Farmer’s Market members, Carroll County Extension Homemakers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), SNAP-Ed Incentives, Farmers Market Toolkit, Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time, Money

Date:

June/July/August/September 2024

June/July/August/September 2025

Audience:

Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers

Activity:

Farmer’s Market Demonstrations and Sampling

Content or Curriculum:

Demonstrations held during Farmers Market hours, working with fresh produce

Inputs:

Extension Agents, Staff Assistant, Riverview Farmer’s Market members, Carroll County Extension Homemakers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), SNAP-Ed Incentives, Farmers Market Toolkit, Equipment (Soil probes, etc.), Time, Money

Date:

Summer and fall 2024/2025

Audience:

Carroll County Horticulture Producers

Activity:

Produce Best Practices Training (PBPT)

Content or Curriculum:

PBPT video

Inputs:

Extension Agent, UK Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time

Date:

April 2024/2025, as needed with new producers

Audience:

Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers

Activity:

Farm to Table Dinner

Content or Curriculum:

Spotlight and raise awareness of Riverview Farmers’ Market

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Riverview Farmer’s Market members, Time, Money

Date:

July 2025

Audience:

Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers

Activity:

Educational Material (Publications, etc.) Made Available

Content or Curriculum:

Recipes, handling procedures, etc.

Inputs:

Extension Agents, Staff Assistant, Extension Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time

Date:

All throughout the year

Audience:

Carroll County 4-H Youth (Ages 5-19)

Activity:

Creating Desert Dishes, Terrariums, Hanging Baskets, Herbs

Content or Curriculum:

UK Publications

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Carroll County Volunteers, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time, Money

Date:

May 2025

Audience:

Carroll County 4-H Youth (Ages 5-19)

Activity:

Creating a Pollination Garden and Vegetables Gardens

Content or Curriculum:

UK Publications, UK Bee Ambassador Program

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Carroll County Volunteers, UK Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time, Money

Date:

Fall 2024 

Fall 2025

Audience:

Carroll County Horticulture Producers, Carroll County Consumers

Activity:

Development of the Horticulture Portion of the County Website

Content or Curriculum:

Online information pertaining to horticulture production

Inputs:

Extension Agent, Staff Assistant, Extension Specialists, Extension resources (publications, factsheets, etc.), Time

Date:

All throughout the year

Audience:

Adults

Activity:

Plant seeds in the container gardens at the Extension Office.

Inputs:

FCS Agent, volunteers, outside resources

Date:

June, July, August 2024

June, July, August 2025