Logic Model Overview:

Brian Krug Extension Specialist - Greenhouse/Floriculture Plan

Situation:

Ornamental horticulture contributes to the economy and environmental quality of the state, where quality of life is of utmost importance to residents and tourists. Horticulture keeps 21,000 acres in agriculture, over 14,000 of which is open space, helping to preserve the state's rural character. The ornamental horticulture industry includes at least 935 businesses in New Hampshire that generate $438 million or more annually in sales and services, according to a recent New England survey. Greenhouse and nursery crops are the fastest growing component of agriculture in this state, having increased by 87% between 1992 and 1997 (USDA Agricultural Census, 1997). Over half the firms identified landscape and tree services as an important part of their business. Over 80% of the income comes from sales and services within the state, making horticulture an integral and important part of the state's economy.

In addition, turf grass provides recreational areas and playing fields which serve as functional community centers and enhance community pride. Golf course turf also provides significant economic income in the state.

New products, technologies, and growing systems are continually needed in order to sustain the growth and profitability of the industry. Management of nutrients, water, and pests are key components to profitability; as plant size, quality, and time to saleable product are dependent on appropriate nutrition, irrigation and pest control. Because of high capital operating costs, as well as increasing competition, quantifying the fixed and variable costs of production is also key to ensuring profitability.

Assumptions

From Agricultural Resources:

The sustainability of agriculture in NH requires a holistic approach that interfaces production, human resource, economic, and environmental issues, and civic policies. All must be addressed at some level.

County Extension Agricultural Educators will be conversant and responsible for conducing programs in all aspects of agriculture in their respective counties. They will be encouraged and supported to develop one or more specialty areas for state-wide programming, i.e. fruits & vegetables, agronomic crops, holistic farm management, nutrient management, greenhouse production.

Specialists will continue to provide leadership and support in their specialties to county staff. They will provide leadership to both "commodity" and "issue" programming teams.

External Factors

From Agricultural Resources:
Funding sources are requesting or requiring the following: an articulated strategic plan/vision, documented impacts and achievements, an understanding of the interconnectedness of the elements in a long term program, and illustrations of grass roots participation in the development and implementation of Cooperative Extension programs.

   Outputs

      Attend Staff Meetings    (Show details)

      Planning and Reporting    (Show details)

      Miscellaneous administrative work    (Show details)

      Engagement with campus - through joint projects, student internships, special class presentations, etc.    (Show details)

   Inputs:

   (Show details)

   Outputs

      Farm/Site Visits - includes kitchen table meetings and private consultations    (Show details)

      Publications & News:fact sheets, news releases, newsletters,web page,TV & Radio Spots    (Show details)

      Twilight Meetings    (Show details)

      Phone Consultations    (Show details)

      

Educational Workshops

• Single & multi-day educational events such as grower schools, state-wide grazing events, etc.

   (Show details)

      

Conferences:

• Farm & Forest
• Producer Association Meetings

   (Show details)

   Inputs:

   (Show details)

   Outputs

      Professional development    (Show details)

   Inputs:

   (Show details)