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Top Horticulture Stories
Boyd County inmates feed thousands; gain valuable skills
River Cities Harvest feeds thousands of needy people in northeastern Kentucky. Their donations come from many places, and perhaps the most unexpected is a garden tended by inmates of the Federal Correctional Institution near Ashland.
Lori Bowling, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Servicehorticulture agent in Boyd County, started working with FCI Ashland administrators several years ago to offer inmates an opportunity to become Master Gardeners.
"This gives them something they can build on once they are released," she said. "They can pursue an education in horticulture. They can go on to college and get a degree if they so desire; this gives them the building blocks. And it gives them the opportunity to find a job in the horticulture industry or horticulture field that they can be a part of and give back."
Bowling teaches Master Gardener classes, and the inmates also have to complete 30 hours of service in the garden to earn the title. Only nonviolent offenders who have fewer than 10 years remaining on their sentences are eligible to participate in the program. FCI Ashland has two facilities: a low-security prison and a prison camp. The prison camp inmates are the ones who get to participate in the Master Gardener Program. Camp Administrator Larry Whitman said the program has many benefits.
"It's good for the taxpayer;...
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Sweet Potato harvest looking good in east Kentucky
Two years ago on a visit to Canada, Sarah Fannin saw something she was sure would be a good fit for east Kentucky agriculture - sweet potatoes. The tuber has long been a cultural favorite in...
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For tree farms, less is more when it comes to pesticides
Some commercial tree farm managers who are used to applying large volumes of pesticides to control insects and diseases on their operations are trying a new management system using half the amount.
Horticulturalists with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture are part of an effort led by The Ohio State University (OSU) to teach nursery and farm managers how to cover more plants with less pesticide...
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Sunny Acres Farm hosts soggy Funfest for rural and urban guests
More than 200 people braved soggy, muddy conditions to learn about agriculture at Sunny Acres Farm in Louisville. The biennial "Crossroads: Farm-City Funfest" went on despite torrential downpours at times. The weather didn't distract volunteers and vendors from their purpose, however - to show rural and urban folks alike what's happening...
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UK All Commodity Field Day returns to Princeton in July
It's time for the biennial showcase in Princeton of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture's latest research and extension work - work that is not only conducted on its western Kentucky research station, but throughout the entire college. This year's event is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. CDT Thursday, July 23 at the UK Research and Education Center in Princeton...
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UK College of Agriculture names new horticulture department chair
Long-standing faculty member and researcher Bob Houtz recently assumed leadership duties as chair of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture's Department of Horticulture.
Since coming to UK in 1985, Houtz established and continues to lead a nationally and internationally distinguished research program in biochemistry and physiology of photosynthesis. He has served in multiple leadership roles at the college, university and national level. He currently is the director of the undergraduate agricultural biotechnology program.
Houtz has many goals...
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Festival to spotlight Kentucky vineyards and wineries
Celebrating its fifth year, the Kentucky Wine and Vine Fest will offer many opportunities for visitors to experience the state's growing grape and wine culture May 15 and 16. In 2005, the inaugural festival came on the heels of a grape revival in Kentucky, once known for its quality grape and wine production. Since then, the industry and the festival itself have grown by leaps and bounds....
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Community Supported Agriculture model evolving, growing
Community Supported Agriculture is blooming in Kentucky. With its mix of farms and metropolitan areas, Kentucky has a near-perfect environment for the local foods system of production and distribution, said Mark Keating, a lecturer in sustainable agriculture in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture.
Community Supported Agriculture is a...
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Proper management early on can lower disease risks in gardens
Each growing season, many different diseases threaten Kentucky vegetables. However, by practicing good management techniques before and during planting, home vegetable growers can minimize disease risks, said Kenny Seebold, plant pathologist with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service.
Diseases usually are caused by fungi, bacteria or viruses. While they can appear anytime during the growing season, many favor wet, cramped conditions for development.
"The longer the leaves stay wet and the more plants that are jammed together in one...
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Turf workshop provides support, tips to survive current economy
Sports are big business in Kentucky. Each year, hundreds of sports turf managers prepare countless ball fields for everything from Little League through college sports events. It takes many skilled people to get those fields ready for safe competition. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension agents in Campbell, Boone and Kenton counties recently...
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