My name is Bryan Kennedy and I work at The Learning Center(TLC) in Lexington, Kentucky. TLC is an alternative school that focuses on at risk students that struggle with social and emotional health in most instances because of intense trauma. During my first year teaching at TLC (five years ago), I was tasked with reviving the garden that was built in place of an old playground. I was completely overwhelmed, but excited to tackle this job. One of the first emails I sent was to UK Cooperative Extension. The horticulture agent and assistant worked hand in hand with our school and our students to rebuild an amazing garden that we still use to this day. In addition to rebuilding our garden, the horticulture program partnered with our school to host their annual community gardening event that first year. Our students, with the help of Extension staff and Master Gardeners taught over 200 people the basics of starting a garden at home. It is the most memorable experience I have had in the 17 years I have been a teacher. 

Since that first year the Cooperative Extension has been our partner in anything that we request. When our students have questions, they are always willing to locate resources and visit the school to help out. When we need plants, transplants, soil, and gardening tools, they are always willing to help out with their own resources or leverage a community partner to lend a hand. I can’t even begin to describe the impact the UK Cooperative Extension has had on the students and staff at TLC. Recently Cooperative Extension provided lumber for our students to make raised beds for a community garden project in Lexington. Our staff prepared window herb boxes with our students, thanks to plants donated by Extension. One of our teachers started a canning/preserving class using produce from our garden this year. These are just the most recent examples of experiences we offer our students that are a direct result of our relationship with UK Cooperative Extension. The staff, students, and families of TLC are grateful for the relationship we have with the UK Cooperative Extension horticulture program.