As an Area Agriculture Agent, I service stakeholders in four counties spanning from Central to Western Kentucky. Ongoing work with Russellville Urban Garden Project (RUGP) has led to multiple community engagement extensions. One of the most recent included working with RUGP Director Nancy Dawson to offer a fifteen week Summer Youth Program. From mid-April to August 2021, nearly 20 youth and numerous adult volunteers met weekly to learn about and become engaged in Agriculture. The youth program included field trips and tours in addition to working on the two-acre urban farm nestled among shot-gun style dwellings in the area of Logan County identified as the Black Bottom Historic District by the National Register of Historic Places. Several of these structures house African American history museums. The neighborhood is rich in cultural history, but like many lower income areas, the underserved population struggles with plights such as limited educational and social opportunities. To combat these, Kentucky State University Cooperative Extension, working with Dr. Dawson, has committed to provide opportunities for youth, who are often many generations detached from the soil.  

They are encouraged to embrace a return to working with their hands to grow food while stimulating their minds to learn the most current and sustainable production techniques. Performing guided practice linked to plasticulture, high tunnels and elevated beds allow for the growing of pumpkins, heirloom tomatoes and numerous other herbs and vegetables. The assembly of a mobile coup led to pastured poultry and egg production while chick incubation too was integrated. The safe use of power equipment and other gardening tools was another practical skill that was emphasized. Farm tours included visiting one of Central Kentucky’s largest Agritourism venues, a minority owned beef facility, and a small-scale u-pick blackberry farm. All the while, learning to appreciate of the contributions of those who came before them is integrated into the activities. Tours of the Seek Museum, comprised of six historic Logan County buildings including the 1819 Bibb Plantation House, serve as a testament to the struggles for emancipation and equality in Kentucky. Educating on the Buffalo Soldiers’ contributions to both the military and National Parks System was made possible by an event sponsored in combination with the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Kentucky. The members named their cycle group after the renowned, but often overlooked efforts of black service members serving in various conflicts and peace-time efforts from 1866 through World War II.

The RUGP has served as a link to other important projects.  One that has been of the greatest contribution to the community is the construction of an integrated fish and vegetable aquaponics system at Russellville Independent High School.  This led to the creation of an aquaculture course in the Biology department that served as the pilot site for KYSU secondary educational curriculum.  A collaborative effort of local stakeholders, the school system and KYSU, it is hopeful that future attendees of the RUGP Summer Camps will later benefit by studying aquaculture at Russellville High. The continued impact of this program relates to nurturing the agriculture related interests being exhibited by minority and limited resource urban youth.