Success StoryIncreasing Horticultural Operations



Increasing Horticultural Operations

Author: Keith Hackworth

Planning Unit: Floyd County CES

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

Plan of Work: Agricultural Education and Production

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

Directed by our leadership, Extension has been involved with local farmers to assist them with new enterprise development. The local agriculture leaders suggested that some efforts be directed at improvements in horticultural production. Several educational programs were offered to those interested in high tunnel, greenhouse, and bedding plant production. Assistance from Extension Specialists and other agents were utilized in these endeavors. Because of these efforts, we now have four commercial greenhouse operations and many small scale/farm-use structures in the county. Third of which are producing hanging baskets, vegetable, landscape, and bedding plants for retail sale to the public. The last is being used as part of a landscaping business to store and maintain plants prior to sale and placing at local homes and businesses. In addition, the county has six producers with high tunnels. Most are using them to extend their growing season. These producers were provided with educational and technical information as related to the production of various bedding, vegetable, and landscape plants. Other topics of information provided were marketing, insect, weed, and growth control. Three of the producers reported that they had spring sales more than $18,000 last year. One advised that they are planning to increase their production and may construction additional structures soon. Five of the small-scale operations reported sales near $6,000. All advised that their operations had been profitable and thanked Extension for making it possible. Because of these successes, other producers are more open to learning about possible enterprises in horticultural production.






Stories by Keith Hackworth


Floyd County Extension Master Gardeners – Extension Outreach

about 2 years ago by Keith Hackworth

The Floyd County Extension Master Gardeners continues outstanding programs and community service. At... Read More


Youth Gardening Education

about 2 years ago by Keith Hackworth

At the direction of our leadership, Extension has been collaborating with several community groups t... Read More


Stories by Floyd County CES


Floyd County Family & Consumer Sciences Build Confidence in Elderly population through Arts Engagement

about 2 years ago by Andrea Slone

Prior to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the Floyd County Family and Consumer Science program went to a ... Read More


Floyd County Family & Consumer Sciences hosts in person food preservation workshops

about 2 years ago by Andrea Slone

According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, one in five households in the United St... Read More


Stories by Horticulture, Commercial


Delivering of information on sampling and studies on the South American Palm Weevil for Dominican Republic

about 2 years ago by Raul Villanueva

I was solicited to present in-person however to avoid risk this task was conducted online using zoom... Read More


Ambrosia beetles in nursery and fruit Detection, Identification and management

about 2 years ago by Raul Villanueva

Ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) are boring insects that inoculate species s... Read More