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Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Impacts

Contact Information

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu




Fiscal Year:
Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025


Success StoryMcNabb Elementary Summer School Program



McNabb Elementary Summer School Program

Author: Lisa Dodson

Planning Unit: McCracken County CES

Major Program: Agriculture

Plan of Work: McCracken County Agriculture Education

Outcome: Long-Term Outcome

“The process of gardening gives empowering experiences. Students engaged in designing and maintaining gardens show an increase in self-efficacy (Lekies, et al., 2006; Poston, Shoemaker, & Dzewaltowsk., 2005), proenvironmental attitudes (Mayer-Smith, Bartosh, & Peterat, 2007; Skelly & Zajicek, 1998; Skelly & Bradley, 2007) and environmental stewardship (Alexander, North, & Hendren, 1995; MayerSmith, Bartosh, & Peterat, 2007; Pothukuchi, 2004; Waliczek, Bradley, & Zajicek, 2001). Plus, active gardening, such as picking flowers or planting trees as a child, has been shown to have a strong influence on how natural areas and gardens are valued in adulthood (Lohr & Pearson-Mims, 2005).” (Yost & Chawla, 2009)

 

In conjunction with McCracken County 4-H and Youth Development agent Lisa Dodson, Samantha Anderson, McCracken County agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources, facilitated a memorial garden planting workshop during the McNabb Elementary School Summer Program.

 

Students who participated ranged from third to fifth grades and represented a culturally and socioeconomically diverse school system. Participating students engage in site preparation, planting, preventative pest management, and landscape design.

 

The program was attended by sixty youth and five adult leaders. Throughout the day, the youth expressed their enjoyment in participation. Notably, one student expressed interest in future educational pathways related to horticulture and turf management.

A picture containing text, outdoor, tree, sky

Description automatically generatedA group of people posing for a photo

Description automatically generated with medium confidenceYost, B., & Chawla, L. (2009, February). Benefits of Gardening for Children. Denver; University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center.






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