Extension
It Starts With Us
Home & Consumer Horticulture 2025
Horticulture
Kristin Hildabrand
Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Master Gardener
Plant Disease ID
Pollinators
In 2018, the 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. American gardeners will continue to look to the Cooperative Extension Service for specific answers to their gardening questions.
Demand for home horticulture information continues to increase for Kentucky county Extension offices. Horticulture program representatives from the Warren County Extension Council identified these areas for the Extension Agent to focus on: consumer horticulture education, identification of plant issues in the home garden and landscape, and the Extension Master Gardener program. The Kentucky Extension Master Gardener (EMG) program helps to develop trained volunteers to assist county Extension staff in meeting this need for research-based information and public outreach.
- More individuals will grow their own fruits and vegetables which helps them to save money on their grocery bills. They also increase access to fresh food.
- Home residents add value to their homes by selecting the correct plant for the landscape which also helps beautify their home.
- Participants show an improved physical, social, and or mental health.
- Individuals will minimize environmental impact by following recommended use of pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.
- The public has a positive perception of EMG volunteers as reliable sources for home horticulture information.
- Extension Master Gardener volunteers extend the educational outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service in areas such as environmentally sustaining lawn and garden practices.
- Home gardeners and residents will adopt the recommended home horticulture practices and use Extension recommendations for the diagnostic services. They will also make proactive changes in their environmental practices.
- All Extension Master Gardener volunteers maintain consistency in completing hours to maintain their Master Gardener certification.
- Certified Extension Master Gardener volunteers put into practice the skills learned when completing volunteer hours and working with clientele.
- Extension Master Gardener volunteers practice effective skills when interacting with clientele.
- Extension Master Gardener volunteers have positive perceptions of their role as reliable sources for home horticulture information.
- Home garden enthusiasts will increase their knowledge of consumer horticulture practices for the home garden, lawn and landscape. They will also use the best practices in soil health, water conservation, and chemical safety.
- Participants will utilize Cooperative Extension Service horticulture publication resources and recognize the value of diagnostic testing services with soil and plant disease.
- Homeowners will understand the value of native plants in the landscape in order to attract specific pollinators such as bees, birds, and butterflies.
- Home gardeners and land owners will select the correct plant for the appropriate location based on if it is shade or sun loving.
- Participants will increase knowledge on how to prepare and utilize local and seasonal foods from the home garden.
- Participants become more aware of Extension’s role in addressing the needs of local residents.
- Master Gardener program participants master the EMG curriculum by passing a comprehensive exam given at the end of the training period.
- Master Gardener program participants become Certified EMG volunteers when they master the curriculum and provide 40 hours in volunteer service to the local Cooperative Extension Service.
Initial Outcome: Knowledge gained in the area of Horticulture
Indicator: Individuals state that they gain knowledge and aspire to implement the practice
Method: Post program evaluation
Timeline: Throughout the year
Intermediate Outcome: Individuals implement practices learned during educational activities
Indicator: Number or practices implemented
Method: Follow up survey, phone calls, and testimonies
Timeline: 6-8 weeks following program
Long-term Outcome: Consumer and Commercial Horticulturalist
Indicator: Participants who adopt recommended practices or see a positive economic impact
Method: Word of mouth, observation, follow up surveys
Timeline: Ongoing
Audience: Homeowners, gardeners and enthusiasts
Project or Activity: Blog Entries & Facebook Posts
Content or Curriculum: CES materials & curriculum, Plate it Up! Kentucky Proud, KY Pests Newsletter, Horticulture publications, etc.
Inputs: Promotional materials, visual aids
Date: Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter
Audience: Consumers & Garden Enthusiasts
Project or Activity: Media Appearances via Get the Scoop Radio Show, Farm and Home TV Appearances, and mid-Day Live through WBKO Television
Content or Curriculum: CES Extension materials & curriculum
Inputs: Promotional materials, visual aids
Date: Ongoing throughout the year
Audience: Avid Home Gardeners
Project or Activity: The Sunshine Gardening Podcast
Content or Curriculum: CES Extension Curriculum & Materials
Inputs: Extension Agent, Podcast Media Hosting Channels, WordPress Blog
Date: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter
Audience: Home Residents & Gardeners
Project or Activity: Horticulture Happenings Newsletter
Content or Curriculum: CES Horticulture Resources & Materials, Plate It Up! Kentucky Proud, etc.
Inputs: Extension agents, paper, mail out, and staff processing time
Date: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter
Audience: Home Horticulturists
Project or Activity: Extension Master Gardener Program
Content or Curriculum: Extension Master Gardener training material & curriculum
Inputs: Extension agents, specialists, funding, state and regional EMG conferences, and tours
Date: Fall 2024
Audience: Warren County Extension Master Gardeners
Project or Activity: Master Gardener Monthly educational meetings
Content or Curriculum: CES Extension Master Gardener Curriculum
Inputs: Extension agents and specialists, Printed resources and publications, local experts, etc.
Date: 4th Tuesday of each month
Audience: Warren County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers
Project or Activity: Managing trained volunteers & approving volunteer time
Content or Curriculum: CES Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Guidelines & Service Hours
Inputs: CES Agent, EMG volunteers
Date: Spring, Summer, and Fall
Audience: Home Residents
Project or Activity: Master Gardener Help Desk
Content or Curriculum: CES publications, resources & other materials
Inputs: CES Agent, EMG volunteers
Date: Spring, Summer, and Fall
Audience: Home Gardeners, Homeowners, and Pollinator Enthusiasts
Project or Activity: Pollinator Gardens & Certified Monarch Waystation
Content or Curriculum: CES publications, resources & other materials
Inputs: CES Agent, EMG volunteers, gardening equipment, etc.
Date: Spring, Summer and Fall
