In December 2021 Kentucky experienced a series of devastating tornados across the state that severely impacted the communities in those areas.  According to the National Weather Service, 28 counties suffered damage due to the storms. Bullitt County Master Gardener volunteers decided to reach out to the Extension service offices and Master Gardener Programs in all 28 counties to offer assistance with recovery.  Two counties accepted their offer of help.

Taylor County Horticulture Agent, Kara Back, and Muhlenberg County Agriculture Agent, Darrell Simpson, joined the February 2022 Bullitt County Master Garden Association Meeting via Zoom to discuss the needs in their counties and how Bullitt County Volunteers could assist in their recovery.

It was decided that the best way for our volunteers to assist Taylor County would be to provide a monetary donation.  Bullitt County Master Gardeners donated $500 to Taylor County to aid in tornado relief and recovery.

Discussion with the Muhlenberg County agent, Darrell, revealed that his county was not in need of monetary donations but instead just needed to see that there is hope of recovery.   To assist Muhlenberg County in their recovery efforts it was decided that the Bullitt County Master Gardener Volunteers would grow flowering plants to help liven up the landscape and bring beauty and color to the community.

In the following months volunteers grew 188 annual and perennial flowering plants and donated 33 large outdoor planters to take to Muhlenberg County for the recovery project.  All told, volunteers put in a total of 159 hours growing and caring for plants and spent an additional $428 in supplies to take to Muhlenberg County.

The day of delivery to Muhlenberg County, May 14th 2022,  was scheduled the week before a large community festival with the idea that the planters would brighten up the landscape and bring hope of recovery.   Master Gardeners drove to Muhlenberg County and delivered planters to 6 tornado impacted households, and worked with the Muhlenberg County 4H Youth Garden Club to organize planters and delivery.  

Recipients of the planters expressed gratitude for the flowers and also for the thoughtfulness of other counties reaching out and helping them to rebuild and move on after this terrible tragedy.