Since we use these stories as a resource for multiple requests, don’t restrict Success Stories only to traditional Extension appointments and activities. Any accomplishments and efforts that are noteworthy may be included.

The Community Engagement component of my Urban Extension Fellows project has been difficult to implement. Even though I’ve contacted the Metro Council members whose districts are where the neighborhoods are located, the responses have been quite limited. 

State Representative Attica Scott (District 41 Jefferson County) contacted me after seeing a tv interview discussing the West Louisville vacant lot project I was working on. During our conversation, I outlined the different components of the project and she suggested that she could help with Community Engagement. Not only was she quite familiar with the neighborhoods, but she also had many contacts that she would share. Additionally, she wants to help organize meetings to spread the word. 

I have copies that outline the project that includes publications on soil testing and interpretation of soil heavy metal results, vegetable, and fruit production, harvesting, marketing, and budgeting. Meetings will include time to discuss ongoing challenges of the process to acquire vacant lots in Louisville. Many cities are faced with the same issues as Louisville and using data from what other cities have been successful with will be included in this project. 

This project is available to all residents in Louisville, but the primary focus is on the neighborhoods in West Louisville that have been designated as a Food Desert or as having residents with Limited Income/Limited Transportation. Representative Scott was excited to hear this and offered to help organize and facilitate meetings.

Even though this is an ongoing project, preliminary information suggests (based on conversations with Laura Grabowski, Director of Housing and Community Development) that having the Jefferson County Extension Service involved in the vacant lot program adds greater validity to the application process, accountability, and oversight for Urban Ag projects, Additionally, having Representative Attica Scott as a potential partner to assist with Community Engagement and Outreach will make it easier to communicate with community and neighborhood leaders and residents.