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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2025

Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

Blooming Buddies Partnership

Author: Carrie Spry

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Learning how to grow one's own food is a topic that has increased in popularity over the past couple years. When a community partner reached out to the Clark County Extension Horticulture Agent about partnering for a session in their youth horticulture group, the opportunity to teach youth about vegetable gardening was quickly agreed upon. Legacy Grove Park hosts a series called Blooming Buddies, which offers a unique outdoor learning experience for youth aged 5-12. Extension joined in for a

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Living with Alpha-Gal Syndrome

Author: Carrie Spry

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

While still considered “rare” relative to other medical issues in the state, Kentucky is one of the states with the most cases of alpha-gal syndrome in the US, according to the CDC, with some Kentucky counties presenting the highest cases per capita in the country. This condition is developed in some people after a bit from a lone star tick. There is no known treatment for alpha-gal syndrome. Instead, lifestyle changes can be made that help manage and reduce the symptoms. This includ

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Youth Gardening

Author: Bryce Roberts

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

               Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in home gardening has surged across Spencer County and throughout Kentucky, with families turning to gardening as a source of food security, stress relief, and educational enrichment. In response, the Spencer County Cooperative Extension Service continued its youth gardening initiative, designed to cultivate both gardens and young minds.               

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Garden Start Up Kits

Author: Chuck Flowers

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Garden Start Up Kits

To maintain client engagement during the spring, the Agriculture and Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) agents created and distributed “Garden Start-Up Kits.” These kits were designed to encourage clients to visit the office to receive free seeds and plants. Each kit included the ID-128 publication, which provides comprehensive guidance on gardening techniques, variety selection, disease management, and best practices. Additional materials included Plate It Up recipes, Healthy Choi

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Master Gardeners Are a Vital Part of Program Outreach

Author: Lori Bowling

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Extension Master Gardener volunteers are a vital part of the Boyd County Extension Horticulture program.   There are many requests for horticulture and gardening programs throughout the county and the horticulture agent is not able to respond to all the requests for activities and events that come into the office.  The Master Gardeners are trained with scientifically proven information and are willing to help the agent meet the needs for all these requests.  When they join the Mas

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Homesteading Series on Jelly and Salsa Making

Author: Katie Hughes

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Homesteading Series on Jelly and Salsa Making

Describe the Issue or Situation.The homesteading series had different classes throughout the year, to help people learn more about the topics but also be able to do these classes by themselves. This one focus on canning and making jelly and salsa. Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).The people that attended these classes learn how to make jelly and salsa and the different steps that went into making them. Also the processes of canning and what

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Stepping Stone Class

Author: Katie Hughes

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Stepping Stone Class

Describe the Issue or Situation.Held a stepping stone class to where people could come create one of their own and add to their home garden. This brought in alot of new people to the extension office from young kids to adults. Even the homemaker group decided to do this program as one of their monthly meetings. Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).It showed how to make your own stepping stone and what materials are needed to do so. And discuss

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Gardening Series Increases Knowledge on Growing Vegetables

Author: Erika Wood

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Gardening Series Increases Knowledge on Growing Vegetables

A gardening lunch and learn series was conducted at the Hopkins County Extension Office over the course of three months.  The series included the following classes: Vegetable Abiotic Disorders, Vegetable Diseases, and Vegetable Pests.  The purpose of the series was to help gardeners identify and learn how to manage and control various vegetable ailments.  A survey was conducted at the end of each class.  Based on the survey results, 100% of the participants stated that they w

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Community Gardens

Author: Paul Sizemore

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

With the increase in Food prices at the market it has become more important to produce your own food. Owsley County Cooperative Extension Service has partnered with Owsley County Farmers Market and Grow Appalachia to offer a Community Garden for participants to produce their own Produce either at home or at a central location.With funding from Grow Appalachia we are able to provide Seeds, Plants, Fertilize and  Equipment at no cost to allow each participant to grow a garden for their famili

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Preserving An Heirloom

Author: James Morgeson

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

This spring, the Horticulture Agent hosted a very popular workshop: “Grafting Heirloom Apple Trees.” More than 20 participants from diverse backgrounds gathered to learn the ancient art of grafting. The class focused on preserving a rare, easy-to-grow,  local apple variety only known as a Spice Apple.   Attendees learned how to graft scion wood from local trees onto hardy rootstock. By the end of the class, each participant went home with two grafted apple trees of their ow

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Restore Collaboration at Bernheim Forest

Author: Lorilee Kunze

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Describe the Issue or Situation.Restore Program Collaboration with 4H and Bernheim Forest update and fill in more information laterDescribe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the com

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Gardening Series Gets Families Started Properly

Author: Brian Jeffiers

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

With so many challenges in the food system since the pandemic, more and more families seek to grow their own vegetables. However, they have not had the instruction needed to garden successfully. This is especially important in the context of evolving pest issues, updated varieties, and new production techniques.Seeing their patrons in search of production resources, the Johnson County Public Library planned a giveaway of garden seeds that are appropriate for the area's climate and traditions

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Cultivating New Gardeners at the Whitley County Extension/ Beginning Gardening

Author: Benjamin Prewitt

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

 Success Story: Cultivating New Gardeners at the Whitley County ExtensionEngaging First-Time Participants in the Joy of GardeningThe Whitley County Cooperative Extension Service proudly hosted its Annual Beginning Gardening Class, drawing a full crowd of 23 enthusiastic participants—20 of whom were first-time attendees at any Extension program. This overwhelming response is a testament to the growing interest in self-sufficiency, healthy living, and community engagement through garden

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Kentucky Homeowners

Author: Sarah Imbus

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Kentucky Homeowners

Kentucky homeowners continue to garden or landscape at home for a variety of reasons such as: environmental benefits, improve property value, connecting with nature, social benefits, and economic impact.Now that Spring has sprung many NKY residents continue to seek resources and information about gardening. The Campbell County Horticulture team offers over a dozen classes focusing on home horticulture, which include:Winter Pruning, Getting Your Lawn Ready, Drought Tolerant Landscaping, Houseplan

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Container Gardening with Heritage Place Senior Citizens

Author: Amanda Potter

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

This spring, a unique two-part gardening series at the Senior Citizens Center blossomed into something truly special—offering not just skills and smiles, but meaningful moments of connection for older adults in the community.The series began with a flavorful twist. In the first session, the Family and Consumer Sciences agent led a fun, hands-on lesson in making homemade salsa, while the Agriculture agent introduced participants to the concept of a “salsa garden”—a homegro

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Ag Week Seed Giveaway

Author: Cheyenne Lamb

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Access to fresh produce and knowledge about home gardening remains limited for many households in Montgomery County. Additionally, while the Cooperative Extension Service offers a variety of resources, public awareness of these programs is still growing. Ag Week provided an opportunity to address both challenges by engaging the community in a meaningful and accessible way. From this the ag week seed giveaway project was born.To celebrate Ag Week, the Montgomery County Cooperative Extension Offic

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Mushroom Log Workshop

Author: Kristen Stumbo

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Mushroom Log Workshop

Magoffin County, Kentucky, has vast forested areas and an agricultural heritage, yet many residents lack knowledge about alternative farming opportunities like mushroom cultivation. With increasing interest in sustainable agriculture and economic diversification, educating the local community on mushroom farming can provide food security, business opportunities, and environmental benefits. It also allows residents to utilize wooded areas on their properties to provide a food source for their fam

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Homesteading Series

Author: Kennedy Cannon

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

The Buffalo Trace Homesteading Series is a hands-on educational initiative to empower community members with sustainable agriculture skills. The program focuses on practical techniques in food preservation, gardening, mushroom cultivation, and meat processing. The need for homesteading has been on the rise for the last few years as many are wanting to go back to living off the land.Designed to promote self-sufficiency and environmental stewardship, the series provides participants with the knowl

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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