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Contact Information

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

Impacts

Contact Information

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:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryCOVID-19 and a change in Direction for the Horticulture Program



COVID-19 and a change in Direction for the Horticulture Program

Author: Amy Aldenderfer

Planning Unit: Hardin County CES

Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture

Plan of Work: Unrelated to a specified County Plan of Work

Outcome: Initial Outcome

When the "stay at home" order came, the Hardin County Horticulture Agent had many classes planned for a face-to-face format.  Since that was no longer an option, webinars, podcasts and Facebook posts became the norm for disseminating horticulture information to clients.  

For classes that had materials already purchased like "Making a Bee Hotel", the participants were given the materials to make the item and directed to a Youtube channel to receive directions on assembly.  

Some classes, like How to Grow Tomatoes and The Perfect Perennial, Daylily, went to a strictly online format.   Although, interaction between the participants and the instructor is limited.  https://youtu.be/EAzrTgmPzO0

A new venture: Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays was started by three Hort agents to consolidate and boost local efforts to reach a bigger audience.  (See Horticulture Webinar Wednesdays for an overview of the larger program.)  I taught the Attracting Pollinator lesson on June 24 to celebrate Pollinator week.  There was a total of 82 participants, and they stayed on the video call for an average of 53 minutes.  Of the initial polling, 100% said that this topic was relevant to them and 75% said they will use this information within the next month. https://kentuckyhortnews.com/horticulture-webinar-wednesdays/ 

Another new venture is “Amy’s Gardening Thoughts” podcast. This is a bi-weekly video podcast delivered through a Youtube channel.  The topics range from questions answered from the public, timely actions to take in the garden, what’s blooming, and places to visit.   https://youtu.be/t0jIETA9xbA






Stories by Amy Aldenderfer


Cultivating Conservation – Rain Garden & Rain Barrel Workshops Empower Community Stewardship

about 11 days ago by Amy Aldenderfer

Describe the Issue or Situation.Hardin County faces increasing challenges related to stormwater runo... Read More


Master Gardeners educated and educating

about 11 days ago by Amy Aldenderfer

Describe the Issue or Situation.Hardin County has over 42,000 households with over 110,000 residents... Read More


Stories by Hardin County CES


Hardin & LaRue County Community Baby Shower Promoting Healthy Choices for New Moms and Families -(June 2025)

Hardin & LaRue County Community Baby Shower Promoting Healthy Choices for New Moms and Families -(June 2025)

about 23 days ago by Chandra DeRamus

Within Hardin County, a disproportionate number of Kentucky families live in economically distressed... Read More


Seniors Celebration Program in Hardin County features Health & Nutrition Focus for Community Collaboration (May 2025)

Seniors Celebration Program in Hardin County features Health & Nutrition Focus for Community Collaboration (May 2025)

about 23 days ago by Chandra DeRamus

Within Hardin County, a disproportionate number of Kentucky families live in economically distressed... Read More