Horticulture

James Quinn, Horticulture Specialist

 

 

Home Horticulture and the Environment

Gardening is the most popular hobby in the U.S and the benefits of gardening add to quality of life.  People of all ages and income levels can realize this.

 

 Access to high quality horticultural information is crucial for a broad spectrum of Missourians to take advantage of the many benefits of gardening.  Unbiased, research-based information on selecting, planting, and maintaining fruit, vegetable and ornamental species around the home is a key element in gardening success. 

 

University of Missouri Extension is one of only a few sources of unbiased information.  But, for MU Extension to continue to be a desirable source of information it must be able to quickly react and reach the numerous but highly dispersed consumers.

 

With a full-time horticulture specialist on staff in Cole County, rapid and full service response is available to individuals that stop by or call. Most requests involve pest identification, plant culture information, and soil testing.

 

Extension assists commercial growers and homeowners in horticulture, which is a broad discipline.  Horticulture almost always brings to mind flowers, but also includes vegetables, fruits, nursery plants (trees, bushes and other ornamentals), lawn/turf, viticulture (grapes), and landscaping.  County businesses depending heavily on horticulture are: lawn service and landscaping; garden centers; nurseries; wineries; golf courses; U-pick and Agritourism farms; greenhouses; and orchards.  The Cole County Extension Center horticulture specialist is responsible for seven counties, including Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Morgan, Moniteau and Osage. 

 

Outreach for the horticulture programs are augmented by the Master Gardener program, which is discussed next.  Opportunities to reach the public are made through programs, tours, newspaper articles, radio and TV.  However, some is intermingled with the Master Gardener program, and volunteers are given the opportunity to lead when and where possible.

 

Master Gardener

The Central Missouri Master Gardeners (CMMG) is one of the largest and most active chapters in the state.  In 2007 it ranked third in total volunteer hours, only behind Kansas City and St. Louis.  In 2008, with more than15,000 recorded volunteer hours, Master Gardener hours exceeded those from the previous year.  During the year, 42 trainees completed the Master Gardener Program to join the rank of the 153 current active members.  It is one of the few chapters to offer Level I training two times a year, as well as offering many Advanced Level II classes. The CMMG Chairperson for 2008 provides a comprehensive review on the activities and highlights for 2008 later in this report.

 

Watershed Management and Planning

Watershed Management and Planning works with local watershed communities to evaluate, plan and implement locally designed watershed management programs. It develops and expands on collaborations with partnering agencies, individuals, elected officials, and organizations that have responsibility for protecting water resources.

 

In May 2007 Cole County Extension Center was awarded $5,000 from the Department of Natural Resources to implement the Healthy Yards for Clear Streams program.  Healthy Yards for Clear Steams is an educational effort to help landowners and businesses, practice environmentally responsible lawn and landscape care.  A three-part workshop series was held in March and August/ September with attendance at 30 or higher.  Over 90% attending were from Cole County.

 

While the DNR funding has ended, the workshops will continue, as the program is self-supporting through the $5 fee per workshop.  Yards qualifying for “Yard of Merit” signs to denote their environmentally conscious landscaping, have been featured around town.  An informational brochure was available with the signs in a holder.

 

Lincoln University and the City of Jefferson both implemented a “Healthy Yards” practice in 2008, as did the Extension Center, with the rain barrel at the front door. The Cole County office has assisted in making these rain barrels available at cost, 10 were sold in 2008. The logo can be found on the Cole County web page, which links to more information on the project.

 

Missouri Grown

While the farm lifestyle is an important part of Missouri’s social fabric, it is becoming increasingly difficult for families to remain on the farm. In order for small farms to remain economically viable, some producers are growing higher value crops.  Targeted by this program are potential growers such as existing row crop and horticultural crop producers.  They receive information for growing and marketing high value crops such as tomatoes, melons and small fruits.  Outreach is through workshops, newsletters, field days, grower conferences and farm tours. 

 

The Central Missouri Farm Tour held in August was a success with 115 attending. It was held in Morgan & Moniteau counties, co-sponsored by MVGA (Missouri Vegetable Growers Association) and the Central Missouri Produce Auction, and was reported by the Versailles Leader Statesman. Additional Central Missouri counties with growers attending were Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Morgan, Moniteau, and Pettis. Some comments from those attending were: “Talking to growers is VERY productive!” “I heard quite a few good tips, like how to control certain blights.” “I will join the Missouri Vegetable Growers Association.”

 

MU Extension received just under $50,000 from the EPA for a 2-year project that delivers four educational workshops in February 2008 and 2009. The program focuses on communities where Amish and Mennonite growers are active with vegetable production and communities with produce auctions or something similar. The 2008 workshops were on basic production techniques, and in 2009 programs will continue with advanced topics.

 

The Morgan/Moniteau location had the highest attendance (80). Growers from the Clark and Windsor producers are primarily in Audrain County and some Windsor growers farm in Pettis County.  A goal for the project is increasing attendees understanding of integrated pest management (IPM). After the first round of workshops, the average attendee increased their understanding by 75%.

 

Community Food Systems

Most agricultural production in Missouri is targeted to domestic and global commodity markets that are highly concentrated. At the same time, consumers are demanding high quality, great tasting food that is sustainably produced and supports local farmers.  While the ultimate goal of this program is to increase the amount of food that is sustainably grown in and consumed in Missouri communities, three aspects offer horticultural opportunities:

Two tours were arranged through the Cole County Extension Office that addressed this programming area.  For the third year a tour was conducted that featured Centralia and the Clark Produce Auction when the Craft and Pumpkin Sale were underway.  It concluded with a luncheon and garden tour at the AB Chance Foundation mansion and gardens, catered by the Centralia Historical Society.  As in prior years, it was very well attended and received excellent comments. 

 

In May two Gardener Vineyard Tours were conducted, one starting from Jefferson City area and the other from Columbia.  Boone, Callaway, Cole, Howard and Osage residents participated in the tours. 

 

The Jefferson City tour had 25 participants who visited Native Stone, Osage Vista and Westphalia Vineyards.  Les Bourgeois in Rocheport (Boone County) was our host for the Columbia tour and had over 40 participants.  Some comments from those attending were:

 

Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)

The regional horticulture specialist also serves as secretary on the board of the Cole County SWCD.  The Grays Creek Watershed “special area land treatment” (SALT) project started in July 2007 and is ahead of its scheduled goals.  The $853,798 in funding for 7 years will benefit Cole County landowners beyond the traditional benefits they currently receive through the SWCD programs.