In 2021, the Pike County Extension Council identified cross program collaborations as an important need of our county office for the citizens of Pike County. Pike County Fine Arts worked to fill this need in multiple ways.

Fine Arts held a pumpkin patch for kids during the fall at the farmers’ market. Thirty pumpkins were purchased from local farmers. We also purchased paint, brushes, and other art supplies for the completely free event. Fine Arts and ANR worked together to design marketing and publicized the event through social and traditional media. We worked with the SNAP-Ed assistant to bring healthy, child friendly recipes to participants. Parents and kids showed up throughout the evening of the market, taking recipes, with all pumpkins chosen and decorated. The kids had fun and market vendors reported a doubling of their sales for the evening!

Fine Arts also partnered with the farmers’ market to bring Appalachian Symphony to Saturday markets for performances. Appalachian Symphony has performed for people at the market three Saturdays. Both patrons and vendors reported a fun and more upbeat atmosphere. A volunteer for Appalachian Symphony had three people ask about joining them for lessons.

Other examples of cross program collaboration include judging Homemaker project entries, operating a booth for the 4H Reality Store, and planning an evening program in collaboration with the county FCS agent.