Success Stories - Kentucky Extension Reporting System

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Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Cooperative Extension Service

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Impacts

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Fiscal Year: 2025

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Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

Preserving the Harvest

Author: Lorilee Kunze

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Describe the Issue or Situation.Gardening and growing food is only part of being self-sufficient and food stable.  Learning how to preserve what you grow is key in being resilient and education on food preservation is scarce in Bullitt County.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Partnering with the Bullitt County Master Gardener Volunteers, the Horticulture Agent and Program Assistant wanted to offer an introduction to the many ways one could u

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Permaculture

Author: Lorilee Kunze

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Describe the Issue or Situation.We often limit our understanding of gardening and food production to traditional agricultural methods that have been passed down to us over generations, however, there are many ways to grow and produce food. Learning alternative methods of food production can help make our community more resilient and self-sufficient.  Permaculture in particular is also very sustainable and requires less maintenance, pesticides and space than traditional gardening while produ

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Restore Collaboration at Bernheim Forest

Author: Lorilee Kunze

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Restore Collaboration at Bernheim Forest

Describe the Issue or Situation.Restore Program Collaboration with 4H and Bernheim Forest. The program was designed to celebrate the beauty of Mother Earth through experiencing a day filled with unique activities that inspire hope, joy, and well-being. Embrace the spirit of spring through self-care, educational experiences, and sustainable practices—because our planet deserves a healthy us! This program was hosted by Bernheim Forest and we were collaborating partners.Describe the Outreach

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Salsa Gardening

Author: Lorilee Kunze

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Salsa Gardening

Describe the Issue or Situation.County residents need better, practical access to healthy choices, food prep and fresh vegetables. In urban areas, residents are distanced from the source of their food, how that food is processed and what goes into making it palatable.  Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).The Bullitt County Extension agent for Horticulture, the Horticulture Program Assistant and 3 Master Gardener Volunteers collaborated to pres

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Growing your own Vegetable and Fruit Publications

Author: Richard Durham

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Home horticulture information relating to vegetable and fruit gardening has been a focus of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Program for many years.  However, recent efforts have focused on developing publications in this area for low-literacy audiences.  From 2018 until 2025 the Nutrition Education Program has partnered with the Department of Horticulture to develop 22 such publications including two general (Preparing your Garden and Composting) and 20 crop-specific publications (T

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Gardeners Learn Construction of Wicking Bed

Author: Brian Jeffiers

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Two of the most common limitations to gardening are the difficulties in properly maintaining the plants and the physical difficulty of properly caring for them. A designed developed by a UK agricultural engineer utilizes a water reservoir to simplify irrigation and a raised designed for easier access. After the Johnson County ANR program assistant participated in a daylong in-service on how to build the raised bed, she and the ANR agent constructed one at the Extension office and hosted a worksh

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Extension Master Gardeners Valuable Contribution to the Community

Author: Annette Heisdorffer

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Gardening information is in demand with the continued popularity of growing vegetables, fruits, flowers, and maintaining the landscape and lawn.  With the help of trained Extension Master Gardener volunteers, who deliver science-based horticultural information, the Horticulture Extension Agent reaches more clientele with information on growing and maintaining vegetable gardens and landscape plants. They are a vital part of the outreach of the Cooperative Extension Service into the community

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Oak Grove Students Design Hanging Basket Flower Arrangements

Author: Benjamin Prewitt

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Oak Grove Students Design Hanging Basket Flower Arrangements Bringing Learning to Life Through GardeningThis summer, 40 students in grades 1 through 6 from Oak Grove Elementary School participated in an engaging and colorful educational experience centered around horticulture and creativity. Hosted as part of their summer school enrichment programming, the hands-on class empowered students to design and plant their very own Hanging Basket flower arrangements.Hands-On Learning for All AgesUn

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Participants Learned about the Importance of Lightning Bugs in the Environment

Author: Annette Heisdorffer

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Lightning bugs, also called fireflies, bring back happy childhood memories.  Teaching about lightning bugs would educate participants about this insect, how it fits into the ecosystem, and why it seems like not as many are seen today.  In addition, this opportunity would provide a way to explain that all insects are not pests.   To meet these educational goals, the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service, Green River Area Extension Master Gardeners, and the Western Kentucky B

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4-H Garden Day Camp

Author: Amanda Sears

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

4-H Garden Day Camp

In spring, the Madison County 4-H Agent asked the Horticulture Agent to partner on a day camp devoted to gardening. Also assisting with the event were two master gardeners and the Agriculture/Horticulture Assistant.The day was filled with hands on activities to help the youth learn more about not only plants but the garden as a whole.Played a game to help the group think about where their food comes from.Created mosaics with different types of seeds.Learned to read seed packets and made seed tap

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The More You Know the Better You Grow Series

Author: Amanda Sears

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In gardening, knowledge is power. Like life, much of gardening is outside our control. But by educating ourselves on the basic fundamentals of gardening we can learn how to recognize problems when they arise and how to manage them not only now but also in the future.In the spring of 2024, the Madison County Horticulture Agent offered a series of classes called "The More You Know the Better You Grow". These were designed for all levels of gardeners. After each class she sent an evaluati

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Backyard Fruit Class

Author: Amanda Sears

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Madison County Horticulture Agent offered a class called "Backyard Fruit" in late March. The class was offered twice, once during the day and once in the evening. It focused on what the Agent felt was the three most important things to consider before planting fruit.1. Choose the right variety2. Location3. Common problems and how to avoid themIn addition to the presentation, the Agent also offered several handouts and publications such as backyard spray guides, information about so

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House Plant Propagation and Houseplant Swap Mammoth Cave Homemaker Leader Lesson

Author: Stephanie Hestand

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

  Plant propagation offers gardeners a unique way of keeping plant genetics and reproducing new plants from a known source while increasing their plant number. Propagation can be cost efficient and is helpful in keeping copies of plants that can also be passed down from family generations to the next. Kentucky Extension Master Gardeners offer classes at the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension offices about plant propagation. There are two different types of propagation, sexual

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Norton Healthcare Cardiology Support Group

Author: Donavan Moore

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

As part of the Connecting Hearts for Support initiative, the Advocates for Healthy Hearts program offers heart disease survivors opportunities to connect through twice-monthly meetings featuring expert guest speakers on heart health–related topics.In this context, I delivered a one-hour interactive presentation to a group of 10 support group members. The session covered a range of practical gardening techniques designed to promote healthy eating and physical activity, i

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West End Women's Collaborative Partnership

Author: Donavan Moore

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The West End Women’s Collaborative (WEWC) unites the community—particularly the Chickasaw neighborhood—through healing art, empowering workshops, and meaningful connections. A central focus of WEWC’s work is honoring and celebrating African American culture, which is integrated into all programming, events, and community initiatives. The organization operates with the belief that collective action can lead to transformative outcomes.In collaboration with WEWC, I have been

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Garden Party Day Blooms with Community and Horticultural Education

Author: Sharon Flynt

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Community engagement is widely recognized as a key driver in the effective preservation of local natural environments and historical sites. When communities are actively involved, management and preservation efforts are more sustainable, culturally relevant, and successful.The Scott County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers and Horticulture Program met the community's needs by providing a vibrant platform for people to connect with their local history, gardens, and natural envi

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Webinar Wednesday YouTube Channel Cultivates Gardeners Nationwide

Author: Sharon Flynt

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

In April 2020, during the height of the pandemic, a group of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Horticulture agents saw an opportunity in crisis. With in-person learning on hold and gardening interest surging, they launched Horticulture Webinar Wednesday—a weekly live Zoom series covering a wide range of gardening topics. To reach an even wider audience, each session was recorded and shared on a newly created YouTube channel.What began as a response to social distancing has since grown into a

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Christian County Master Gardeners Turn Private Yards into Powerful Pollinator Habitat

Author: Kelly Jackson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Christian County Master Gardeners Turn Private Yards into Powerful Pollinator Habitat

This year, Christian County Master Gardeners took their pollinator efforts to new heights—educating over 270 community members and registering 33 acres of new pollinator habitat, a huge step forward in supporting at-risk species like the Rusty Patched Bumblebee.The initiative centered around one key idea: every yard counts. Inspired by the Homegrown National Park movement—a nationwide call to restore biodiversity by planting native species in backyards and community spaces—the

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Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
S107 Ag. Science Center North
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
+1 (859) 257-4302

© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment