Author: Jessica Hopkins
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Based upon the need for healthier eating, at home, the Harrison County SNAP-Ed Assistant approached the Harrison County Horticulture Agent about offering a class together about growing vegetables in containers. A large percentage of the SNAP-Ed audience are non-traditional gardeners and many of them do not have the size or location for a large garden or for any type of in-ground garden or raised bed. The solution to this is to grow a container garden.In the late winter, the SNAP-Ed a
Author: Richard Durham
A smart phone app is now available to assist Kentucky Gardeners in planning their home vegetable garden. The SOW – A Planting Companion App was originally produced by Alabama Cooperative Extension and included growing information for Alabama and North Carolina. The second version, launched in May 2023, also includes information for Kentucky gardeners. The free app is available through Apple (https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sow-a-planting-companion/id840347996), Google (https://pl
Author: Benjamin Prewitt
In Kentucky, the impact of climate change has become increasingly evident, with rising temperatures and extreme weather events. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) August 2016 report Kentucky climate is changing due to the earth’s warming. The 40% increase of carbon dioxide in the air since the 1700’s has resulted in the surface of the earth warming 1 degree. The increase temperature leads to a rise in humidity and average rainfall as well as drought in other areas
The Whitley County Fair has been an annual event in our community for a number of years. However, in recent years the participation involved in the fair has dwindled. The Whitley County Extension Office has taken an initiative to help support and build the Whitley County Fair back to a staple event for the folks of Whitley County. One of the ways that our office contributed was to host the Annual Farm & Home Exhibit Show at our Goldbug location for the duration of the fair. The Exhibit Show
Author: James Morgeson
Washington County residents have diverse interests and knowledge levels in horticulture. Each year the horticulture agent surveys participants, social media followers, and the public to meet the needs of most gardeners for a particular topic. This series class series is The Gardener’s Wheelbarrow Series. In the past programming year, there were 24 classes with participants choosing to attend the morning session or the evening session. Sessions were by far more popular in the mornings.The t
Author: Amanda Potter
I partnered with the Rowan County Painted Hills Gardening Club and Dr. Amanda Skidmore of Morehead State University to plan and implement the first ever Heart and Soil Festival in Rowan County. This festival was geared towards those in the county who hope to learn about horticulture and home gardening. Planning for this festival had been happening since the fall of 2022 and the festival took place in April of 2023. This festival was advertised through several different outlets, including radio a
Author: Shane Bogle
Homeowners have limited access to unbiased information when problems with landscapes, lawns, and gardens arise. Many turn to the internet or local box store businesses that are inclined to sell unnecessary products along with the “free” advice. Needless and often excess chemicals are applied to perceived issues without thought of environmental or legal concerns. The Caldwell County Extension Office offers free research-based education, and diagnostic services to help home
Author: Keenan Bishop
The problemThe educational program responseThe participants/target audienceOther partners (if applicable)Program impact or participant response.
Author: Emma Lee
Estill County has a mushroom festival every year and clients were calling more frequently to get more information about growing mushrooms. I held a class on growing oyster mushrooms on April 19th at 12 pm and had 21 people attend. Everyone asked questions after the program and were then given a mushroom grow kit of their own to learn first hand. My target audience was all of the individuals that were interested in the mushroom festival, as well as mushrooms in general. I had a great response to
Author: Jason Vaughn
The Spring Garden Series was a tradition at the Powell County Extension Office since the 1990s. Following the pandemic, citizens were hungry for education and communion with fellow gardeners. Sensing the community’s needs, Jason Vaughn, Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources brought back the series.The program focused on developing home horticulture skills through in-class learning and hands-on activities. Topics included attracting bluebirds, flower arran
Author: Amy Aldenderfer
The Gardener's Toolbox Series is a part of the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Service’s horticulture classes to address a gardener's need for more information.The classes vary in their length and subject matter. This year topics included: Beginning Vegetable Gardening, Tie Dyeing, How to Grow: Asparagus, Propagation, Butterfly Gardening, Pollinator Gardening, How to Grow: Broccoli, Cabbage, and Cauliflower, Starting Native Perennials from Seed, and New Plants for 2023.At the e
What began as a short-term stopgap for in person programming during the 2020 Pandemic, has become a much-attended weekly horticulture program. Due to the continuing popularity of the Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays program a team of Kentucky Horticulture agents have continued to present weekly Wednesday webinars at 12:30 ET (11:30 CT) as a “lunch and learn” horticultural program. This team also includes agents, specialists, and other experts who present a 20-30-minute horticultural c
Author: Chadwick Conway
In the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, accessing fresh local heirloom produce is very important for so many families. Many of them work hard at gardening in order for them to have fresh produce during the summer and to make sure that they have enough to preserve for the winter months to enjoy. Some even sell some of their produce along the way for an additional source of income when needed to help support their families. In late July of 2022, the historic flood wiped out the majority of gardens a
Author: Rebecca Konopka
Carter County Extension Council members, leaders, and staff identified a need to recruit new clientele in Carter County. As a result of the pandemic and agent vacancies, face-to-face participation in programs had decreased. Carter County Agents wanted to develop programs that would be of interest to people of all ages and help bring new participants to the Extension Office. The goal was to have a schedule of classes that were not limited to farmers, 4-H, and Homemaker members.
Author: Robert Kirby
According to the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, a person should consume fruits and vegetables daily as part of a healthy eating pattern to reduce their risk for chronic diseases such as, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and obesity. Also, less than 10% of older adults meet the dietary guidelines for fruit and vegetable intake. Many of those in Knox County were not aware of how to garden to produc
Author: Tyler Miller
The problem:A cliente came in the office one day looking for some help with starting a cut flowers operation. Just something small scale for now and didn't want it to be a big job. When talking with the cliente i first guaged the level of education this person had with growing any type of flowers. They seemed to understand the basics and have done some homework about growing cut flowers.The educational program responseI had first mention the general "must do's" for growing cut
Author: Amanda Sears
The Madison County Horticulture Agent and the Family and Consumer Science Agent partnered on several programs throughout the year. The goal of their series of classes was to provide a fun way for participants to learn about nutrition and gardening.In October the agents held an event called “Pumpkin Bash”. It consisted of an educational lesson focused on growing pumpkins, a recipe demonstration and samples as well as several autumn related crafts. The crafts focused on recycling house
Seed SwapIn spring of 2023, the Madison County Horticulture Agent planned a seed swap. Prior to COVID, it had been an annual event.The majority of participants (over 65%) were able to bring seeds to share. The event was open to everyone, regardless of whether they were able to bring seeds to share or not. Packets of seeds were donated from a local store and so there were plenty for everyone to take home. Reasons for wanting to attend the swap varied among participants. Most wanted to become
