Success StoryTree Distribution for Tornado Impacted Families



Tree Distribution for Tornado Impacted Families

Author: Kelly Jackson

Planning Unit: Christian County CES

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Plan of Work: Endorsing Environmental Stewardship and Promoting Green Living

Outcome: Initial Outcome

The tornado of December 10, 2021, affected people’s lives in Kentucky. Many people lost homes, personal property, as well as all their landscape plantings including trees that were decades old or trees planted to honor someone or a special occasion. The Christian County Extension Office partnered with a local nursery in Todd County to provide trees for families impacted by the tornado. The nursery grew and donated more than 3,500 trees because they wanted to help the tornado victims recover and because of their thankfulness that the tornado had missed their farm. The Christian County Extension office facilitated the distribution of trees to 13 counties in western and central Kentucky. Educational information including access to a tree-planting video was provided to each of the families. In Muhlenberg County, one family receiving trees commented that they would be planting two trees in memory of two of their family members who perished in the tornado. Farmers in Taylor County were thankful to have the trees provided to replace those lost in the tornado. Logan County Extension planted tulip poplars, our state tree, provided by the nursery, at each of their schools as a memorial and Kentucky tree lesson. Master Gardeners facilitated tree distribution in Christian County. Response from a few families was that this was the first time they have had to share how the tornado had impacted their lives. Although the tree giveaway program may be perceived as a "service". It is much more. It is a way to start the rebuilding and healing process much needed by a community.






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