Where does our food come from?  A question I ask frequently when I am in the classroom.  The answers are Kroger or Walmart.  Really? Because of this answer Carroll County 4-H decided to add a garden club to the offerings and 7 families stepped up to the plate and we now have a growing garden in a 100 by 150 garden plot.  Thanks to the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, I received a grant to help with the expenses of this garden. The 4-H members with their parents came to the orientation and strict plans were laid out.  A commitment was made at that meeting by 90% of the attendees.  Planting took place in May and since then the families have been taking turns on a schedule to water the garden each night.  At first it was with a tank full of water and a watering can.   Finally, we have water on the property where a hose can be used.  The children have realized how much hard work goes into “farming” and I assure you when they see a farmer, “they will say thank you very much”. Now the hoes have been purchased and the weeding is beginning.  We just purchased a sprinkler that we have attached to the hose and this has really helped with the time frame.  It took 2 hours to water each night.  Now they turn the sprinkler on and let it go for 2 hours and then return and move the sprinkler where it will reach all plants for another 2 hours.   It is a longer period but not as hard on the human body.  From this project we have scheduled a canning class for both 4-H members and adults and have scheduled a flower arranging class.  We will be selling vegetables (corn, beans, peppers, tomatoes, and watermelon) at the Farmer’s Market as well as flowers.  As a matter of fact, a person can pick their own flowers and the 4-H member will put them in a vase or fix a bow on them as a bouquet.  The Carroll County Cattlemen Organization just finished putting up the fence.  This has become the talk of the county, and all are waiting to see the final product.   This is the initial part of our garden project but hopefully we will be productive.

Cattlemen putting  up the fence

Planting the garden

Watering the garden before water was put on the property