September 28-29, 2022 Pumpkin Days was held at the Robinson Center for Appalachian Resource Sustainability. Youth in Preschool, Headstart, Kindergarten and 1st Grades attended from multiple different counties where they rotated through educational stations, played games, took a hayride to the pumpkin patch and were able to select their own pumpkin to take home. Different SNAP approved pumpkin recipes were made by numerous different SNAP-Ed Assistants, Program Assistants and Agents for the kids in attendance to try. Each group was greeted by Wally Cat and a photo was taken! 

Youth in attendance were able to try new foods for the first time! Several positive comments were collected throughout the day from the kids! Youth were excited to get to make the recipes at home, thanks to a recipe booklet that was sent home with each child! First time hay ride and pumpkin patch exposures occurred for lots of our youth. This event provides positive learning experiences combined with a safe place to try new and exciting things. 

Due to the abundance of generosity from those working in Extension, we were able to provide this day to 697 youth over the two days. 

My responsibility during this event was to work a station discussing where pumpkins come from. Youth listened to a book about a farmer who grows pumpkins.  Youth also had fun learning a chant with motions about pumpkins. They were then able to taste pumpkin seeds.  3/4 of the youth reported never eating a pumpkin seed.  After youth left this booth, 100% knew that a pumpkin came from a seed and learned about a healthy snack.