Because of tightening budgets and dwindling resources,  Madison County Extension Agents have been searching for ways to do more collaborative programming to increase efficiency and understanding of all Extension has to offer. It is difficult to come up with ideas that cover all program areas, but this fall we hit upon Pumpkin Palooza. All agents and assistants were able to market the program to their clientele and participated in program planning.

The program included samples of Plate-it-Up recipes and pumpkin seeds, information on pumpkin nutritional value and preparation methods, tips on growing and harvesting pumpkins, identification of pumpkin varieties, pumpkin decorating and pumpkin chunkin. The evening event drew a crowd of 90 representing 20 families and individual participants.

Follow-up evaluations showed that 64% of participating families had prepared a recipe using pumpkins, 36% had increased fruit and vegetable consumption, 37% had been more physically active and 26% had started following Madison County Extension on Facebook.

One participant wrote,” I brought my daughter and granddaughter, it was a nice outing and informative.” This quote is testimony to the fact that extension can provide relevant program to all generations.