Bourbon County CES

Title:

Horticulture Production Practices

MAP:

Horticulture Production and Marketing

Agents Involved:

Tackett

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Local Food Systems

MAJOR PROGRAM 2:

Horticulture, Commercial

MAJOR PROGRAM 3:

Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy

Situation:

Numerous local and national surveys and  studies have shown that the demand for locally produced food continues to grow.  Some studies conducted in population centers located close to Bourbon County indicate that local fruit and vegetable production does not even meet current consumer demand.  Local producers need to continually evaluate their operations and production practices in order to efficiently meet the current and future demand for food products. Through direct observation on numerous local  production site visits it has been observed that new and experienced producers could easily expand their existing production capacity by adopting more advanced horticulture production practices (pulse irrigation, fertigation, high tunnel season extension, etc.)  Extension has resources to educate horticulture producers in production, value added opportunities, business planning, and marketing strategies to expand production  for the demand.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Increase in the production of local horticulture products through the use of advanced production practices

Producer sales and/or profits at farmer’s markets, road side stands, and/or community supported agriculture increase.

Maintain or increase economic stability of farm operations.

Intermediate Outcomes:

• Review advanced production practices
• Apply drip irrigation practices where appropriate
• Utilize fertigation practices to increase fertilizer efficiency and reduce overall material usage
• Increase usage of plasticulture practices
• Utilize more appropriate pesticide spray delivery methods
• Review types and varieties of produce that could benefit from more efficient production practices
• •Locate crop profiles, decision tools and resources
• •Identify production methods and agricultural food products that extend the growing season (i.e. high tunnels, hydroponics)

Initial Outcomes:

• Producers attend advanced production programs
• Producers understand where advanced production practices can help them expand their production
• Knowledge gained on plasticulture practices 
• More informed on advanced pesticide spray equipment and delivery methods
• Knowledge gained on using more efficient water systems
• Knowledge gained on season extension techniques
• Advanced fertilizer delivery systems are utilized
• Producers make informed decisions on which crops should be grown and/or expanded

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome:

Number of producers reporting increase in awareness of issues noted in 'short term outcomes'

Indicator:

number of producers reporting: growing variety of produce based on market demand,  reviewing/attending programs on extending growing seasons, fertigation, plasticulture, etc.

Method:

end of meeting evaluations, follow up online evaluations, site visits

Timeline:

2021-25

Intermediate Outcome:

number of commercial producers reporting practice changes made in the areas outlined in 'medium term outcomes'

Indicator:

number of producers who: increase usage of plasticulture, drip irrigation, fertigation, season extension structures, advanced production practices

Method: pre/post meting evaluations, 3 month follow up online surveys

Timeline:

2021-25

Long-term Outcome:

Indicator: total increase in production through use of advanced production practices

Method: pre/post meeting evaluations, 6 month meeting follow up surveys, site visits,

Timeline: 2024-25

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:

Commercial Producers

Project or Activity:

commercial plastic layer demonstrations/partner with FFA farm

Content or Curriculum:

University of Kentucky pubs/videos on plastic layer operation and use

Inputs: plastic layer, plastic, irrigation lines, 

Date: Spring/Fall  2025

Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity: alternative hort crop mtgs

Content or Curriculum: UK Center for Crop Diversification information

Inputs: Local office resources, UK specialists/research materials

Date: Winter 2025

Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity:

season extension techniques

Content or Curriculum:

UK publications

Inputs: Agents time, local Extension Office resources, Specialists/research publications

Date: Spring 2025

Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity:

 drip irrigation demonstration

Content or Curriculum:

UK publications

Inputs: drip irrigation supplies

Date: spring 2025

Audience:

commercial producers/homeowners

Project or Activity:

Tomato Research project-Home tomato early blight trials

Content or Curriculum:

UK publications/Other Extension publications

Inputs: small scale power spray equipment

Date: Trial Summer 2022.  Wrap up and publication 2023

Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity:

general vegetable productions meeting(s)

Content or Curriculum: UK production publications, Center for Crop Diversification crop profiles

Inputs: Agent time, specialists

Date: Ongoing 2021-25

Audience:

commercial producers

Project or Activity:

 high tunnel production demo

Content or Curriculum:

UK publications

Inputs: irrigation/plant material supplies

Date: fall/winter/spring 2023-25