Extension
It Starts With Us
Horticulture
Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
Goodman
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Master Gardener
Horticulture, Commercial
According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, McCreary County ranks 108th in the state for total agriculture receipts, which were $1,453,000. Top crops reported (in acres) include 1,881 for forages, 9 for apples, and 23 for vegetables. The county agriculture profile is primarily beef and forage-based. There is an educational need for diversified agriculture and horticulture. The McCreary County Farmers Market is seven years old and has slightly grown since opening. There is now a more diversified selection, including meats and prepared foods at the market for this season. McCreary County residents can also participate in Berea’s Grow Appalachia program with neighboring Scott County residents.
McCreary County horticulture operations will continue to expand in size and diversification of products and attract people to the county to purchase goods at the Farmers Market or through on-farm purchases. Home gardeners will produce better quality produce in larger quantities by applying recommended practices, thus reducing food costs for their families. McCreary County Youth will develop an understanding of where their food comes from and how to prepare meals from fresh ingredients. McCreary County Master Gardeners will develop skills needed to assist in horticultural program development and 4-H program development.
McCreary County horticulture operations will continue to expand in size and diversification of products and attract people to the county to purchase goods at the Farmers Market or through on-farm purchases. Home gardeners will produce better quality produce in larger quantities by applying recommended practices, thus reducing food costs for their families. McCreary County Youth will develop an understanding of where their food comes from and how to prepare meals from fresh ingredients. McCreary County Master Gardeners will develop skills needed to assist in horticultural program development and 4-H program development.
Commercial horticulture producers will gain knowledge in diversification practices, marketing, sustainable agriculture, and organic production. Home gardeners will gain knowledge about sustainable practices to incorporate at home such as composting, food preservation, and seed-saving. They will also gain knowledge in non-traditional high-yield gardening techniques that are adaptable to any area, such as small space/container gardening and intensive planting. McCreary County youth will develop an understanding of how to grow & harvest vegetables from start to finish during the summer growing season. McCreary Master Gardeners will complete their training and volunteer hours in order to support McCreary County Extension horticulture programming.
Outcome: Expansion of local horticultural operations
Indicator: Number of acres in commercial horticulture production/increased crop diversity on existing farms, amount sold through the Farmers Market or direct farm sales, number of gardens through Grow Appalachia and extension gardening workshops
Method: Surveys and farm visits
Timeline: March - October
Outcome: Knowledgeable home gardeners/future Master Gardeners
Indicator: Number attending gardening workshop
Method: Surveys and observations, client contacts
Timeline: March - July
Outcome: Farmers Market growth
Indicator: Number of vendors, amount of sales and number of products sold
Method: surveys, attendance at market, observations
Timeline: May-October
Audience: Farmers, home gardeners.
Activity: Master Gardeners Training
Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener’s manual
Date: Jan-Feb
Audience: Youth (4H Age)
Activity: 4-H Green Thumbs Garden Club
Content or Curriculum: Growing in Small Spaces, 4H Garden Curriculum
Date: June-July
Audience: Farmers, Gardeners
Activity: Grow Appalachia
Content or Curriculum: Monthly meetings with participating gardeners which cover organic gardening, composting, healthy cooking, food preservation, edible landscapes, seed starting, pest/disease control & beneficial insects, fall gardening, gardening techniques, soil testing & site selection.
Date: January - October
Audience: Farmers and public
Activity: Farmers Market
Content or Curriculum: Agriculture demos/information packets (mushroom inoculation, heirloom varieties, SNAP recipe materials)
Date: May - October
Audience: Farmers, homeowners, and youth.
Activity: Newsletters, social media, news articles, online programs, radio spot
Content or Curriculum: All Agriculture Topics
Date: July -June
