Author: Faye Kuosman
Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture
Monarch waystations are gardens that provide habitat for the monarch butterfly. Monarch Butterflies are considered a near-threatened species, so habitats like this are essential to their survival. In an effort to help offset the loss of these butterflies along with other pollinators, the Woodford County Cooperative Extension Service and the Woodford County Conservation District, in partnership with The Woodford County Extension Master Gardeners, sponsored 20 grants for Woodford County resi
Author: Courtney Jenkins
According to the USDA Food Atlas, Magoffin County is one of several counties in rural Appalachia that is considered a "food desert." Accessing food, especially fresh, quality produce is difficult for those living outside city limits. In 2017, the County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources secured a $10,000 grant from Grow Appalachia to help address this issue. 16 families, consisting of 42 individuals, participated in Magoffin County Grow Appalachia, a program wh
Author: David Hull
The addition of a Horticulture Assistant to the Gallatin County Extension staff has had a marked impact on horticulture programming in Gallatin County. It’s no stretch to say that the needs of the home gardener in Gallatin County are being met better than ever before.In evaluative surveys given to past program participants, it was asked what types of future programming would most benefit them. While many of the responses were very generic, some were quite specific.As a result, the Gallatin
Author: Kristin Hildabrand
The National Initiative for Consumer Horticulture (NICH) report in 2017 revealed that homes represent 25% of personal wealth. Well-landscaped homes are more valuable in society. The return on investment for landscape upgrades is 109%. The Warren County Extension Agent for Horticulture administered a new program called the annual flower garden trials in the spring of 2017. The purpose of this statewide Extension Horticulture effort was to determine the best performing species and cultivars of ann
Author: Emily Pfeufer
Saving vegetable seeds from the previous season is common practice among gardeners and heirloom vegetable producers in Kentucky. However, these seeds can harbor numerous pathogens that are harmful to plants and limit grower success and yield. Kentucky county Extension agents have identified a need for stakeholder education on vegetable seed treatment, as a way to reduce seed-borne diseases. This need arose from a survey that indicated more than 70% of individuals were saving seed, but only 14% w
Author: Sarah Fannin
Parts of Morgan County are designated as a “food desert” area by the USDA meaning that residents do not have adequate access to fresh vegetables due to distance, lack of land or income. As part of the Morgan County Extension Demonstration Farm, land was designated for use as a community garden to help remove these barriers. The garden is fenced, cultivated and supplied with water at no cost to participants. Priority is given to senior citizens, low income, different
Author: Kimberly Leonberger
Saving vegetable seeds from the previous season is common practice in Kentucky. However, these seeds can harbor numerous pathogens that are harmful to plants and limit grower success and yield. Kentucky county Extension agents have identified a need for stakeholder education on vegetable seed treatment, as a way to reduce seed-borne diseases. This need arose from a survey that indicated more than 70% of individuals were saving seed, but only 14% were treating seed prior to planting.In order to p
Author: Samuel Cofield
The Trigg County Cooperative Extension Service in partnership with the Trigg County Senior Citizens Center have worked to provide our community members with many opportunities to improve their quality of life by encouraging healthy habits. One of these projects is a community garden located by the pavilion at the senior center.2018 is the third year of the garden project started at the Trigg County Senior Citizens center. The project began with an idea and a trai
Author: Deborah Stumbo
One of the undertakings of the Pike County ANR is providing services to the underprivileged and desperately needy. Manna From Heaven is a Food Bank that tries to provide for the needs of our most vulnerable. Extension was asked to provide some trainings that would allow these individuals to become more self sufficient. Extension has been able to provide training in Beginning Beekeeping, Pasture Poultry, High Tunnels, Low Tunnels, Winter Gardening, & Year Round Gardening. &n
Author: Bethany Wilson
Pulaski County is a growing community. It is projected that by 2020 Pulaski County’s population will be 71,036 or 11% more than our current population. Many of these incoming residents will benefit from home horticulture programmingGardener’s Toolbox classes were held focusing on various home gardening topics. Fourteen Gardener’s Toolbox classes were scheduled and an additional 17 home horticulture classes and events were conducted throughout the year held in various part
Author: Lorilee Kunze
As Bullitt County continues to urbanize there is a need for homeowner education in landscape design. To meet this need the Bullitt County Extension Horticulture Program created a four part Landscape Design Series. The four part program covered topics such as design principles, installation, plant materials and maintenance. Participants in the program reported gaining skills in landscape design and six months after the class 59% of the participants had executed or begun landscape design projects
Author: Amy Aldenderfer
The Gardener's Toolbox Series is a part of the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service’s horticulture classes to address the gardener's need for more information.The classes vary in their length and subject matter. This year topics included: dividing perennials, lawn care, how to grow holiday plants, wreath making, making bird houses, organic gardening, new plants, edible flowers, attracting pollinators, veggie gardening, invasive plants and alternatives, bird
Author: Adam Leonberger
Crime, pollution, and storm water management continue to be major issues in urban areas across the country. A 2012 study in the journal Landscape and Urban Planning, Vol 106, Issue 3, found a 10 percent increase in urban tree canopy cover was strongly correlated with a 12% decrease of robbery, burglary, theft and shootings. In addition, the US Forest Service published a study in 2006 within the journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, Vol 4, Issues 3–4 estimated that US urban trees rem
Author: Levi Berg
Even though Henry County is heavily steeped in animal production, forage production, and tobacco production, many Henry County residents devote many hours and care to their beloved backyard gardens, and each year, many residents contact the Henry County Extension Office for assistance with gardening questions. With this knowledge, the Henry County Extension Office and the Henry County Public Library joined together to produce a four part gardening series. All session were held at the Henry Count
Author: Kathryn Wimberley
SITUATION: It is critical for a healthy and sustainable community to have contributing members of society with necessary life skills. Currently in McCracken County there is a need to learn and practice healthy habits, create and live within a budget and form positive relationships with others.Success StoryToolbox Series is a monthly class that is a source of free information on horticulture-related topics. The people of McCracken County are the target audience. Toolbox Series is offered the
Author: Nicole Gauthier
Kentucky agriculture and natural resources and horticulture county Extension agents reported an increase in number of inquiries related to organic and sustainable home gardening. In 2015, two agent in-service workshops were conducted by Extension professionals in Departments of Plant Pathology, Horticulture, and Entomology. Workshops consisted of presentations and hands-on activities addressing management of diseases, insects, and weeds, as well as plant nutrition and composting. Twenty per
Kentucky agriculture and natural resources and horticulture county Extension agents reported 70% to 85% of time is spent assisting homeowners. Inquiries from homeowners can vary greatly. Common questions require a knowledge of plant diseases, insects, abiotic issues, weed management, and wildlife damage, as well as the ability to differentiate between these issues. Extension professionals in the Department of Plant Pathology support agents by providing consultations through email exchanges, phon
Kentucky agriculture and natural resources and horticulture county Extension agents reported 70% to 85% of time was spent assisting homeowners. Inquiries from homeowners can vary greatly. Common questions require a knowledge of plant diseases, insects, abiotic issues, weed management, and wildlife damage, as well as the ability to differentiate between these issues. Extension professionals in the Department of Plant Pathology support agents by providing consultations through email exchanges, pho
