Metcalfe County CES

Title:

Commercial Horticulture

MAP:

Ag Awareness, Production and Marketing

Agents Involved:

Bell, Blankenship, Branstetter

MAJOR PROGRAM 1:

Horticulture, Commercial

Situation:

The Metcalfe County Ag Advisory Council and CEC have identified Commercial Horticulture as a Priority.  There are many established fruit and vegetable operations in the county as well as operations that are new or in the establishment stage.  Metcalfe County leads the state in the number of blueberry farms.  Over 20 producers have constructed high tunnels as a result of the USDA EQUIP grant program.  Orchards, nurseries and horticultural field crops can be seen throughout the landscape of the county.  In order for these operations to remain sustainable, producers must be able to efficiently produce high yields, high quality and have a marketing plan that will allow them to be profitable.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Producers will increase yields, extend the growing season, realize a positive net income and continue to make a profit growing horticultural crops in Metcalfe County. 

 All participating producers in the Metcalfe Co. Farmers accept WIC and SFMNP vouchers during the Market season so voucher customers have a good variety of fresh produce products to choose from.

Intermediate Outcomes:

Producers of fruits and vegetables will use Best Management Practices, Integrated Pest Management, Variety and Yield Data and University of KY Recommendations in the production and marketing of commercial horticultural crops.

New MCFM Vendors who have not previously accepted the WIC & SFMNP vouchers will participate in the voucher training each year

Initial Outcomes:

Producers of horticultural crops will learn what they can do in the future to improve commercial operations by using research based information and recommended practices in their fruit and vegetable operations

Evaluation:

Outcome:   Initial  

Indicator: Increased Knowledge

Method:  Survey

Timeline:  Fall Winter

Outcome: Intermediate  

Indicator: Changed Practices   

Method:  Farm Visits/ Observation

Timeline: Spring/Summer

Outcome: Intermediate

Indicator: Increasing number of MCFM producer participants who accept WIC & SFMNP vouchers at the Metcalfe Co. Farmers Market

Method: # new and # returning producers who take voucher trainings annually

Timeline: April - October

Outcome:  Long Term

Indicator: Profitability

Method:   Survey/Sales

Timeline: Ongoing

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Vegetable Producers

Project or Activity:  Vegetable Short Course

Content or Curriculum: UK Research

Inputs: Agents, Specialists, Publications

Date: Winter/Spring

Audience: Fruit Producers

Project or Activity:  Pruning Field Day

Content or Curriculum: UK Research

Inputs: Agents, Specialists

Date: Winter

Audience: Homemakers

Project or Activity: Houseplant propagation and how to host a houseplant exchange

Content or Curriculum: FCS Agent created lesson using UK Horticulture publications/materials

Inputs: Monroe Co. FCS Agent will create lesson materials and facilitation video and FCS Agents will run training in their own counties. ALL MCA FCS Extension Agents

Date: April 2025

Audience: Member producers (Metcalfe County and other local Farmer's Markets that participate in the SR and WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program Vouchers)

Project or Activity: Metcalfe Co. Farmers Market - Annual SR and WIC FMNP producer Voucher Training's

Content or Curriculum: KY Dept Agriculture WIC and SR FMNP training Power point and hand out materials 

Inputs: Metcalfe Co. FCS Extension Agent, State WIC and SR FMNP program staff

Date: March/April 

Audience: Fruit and Vegetable Producers

Project or Activity: Metcalfe County farmer’s Market 

Content or Curriculum: KDA Market Manual

Inputs: FCS Agent, ANR Agent

Date: February/March, then ongoing TA provided through the season, as requested

Audience: Metcalfe TAG

Project or Activity: Ag Awareness 

Content or Curriculum: 4-H and ANR pubs and Curriculum 

Inputs: Agents, Volunteers

Date: Fall

Success Stories