Spring into Green: Outdoor Living, was an area wide seminar hosted by the Purchase Area Family and Consumer Science agents at the Graves County Extension Office. Speakers at this year’s event focused on topics related to outdoor living including “Cooking in the Outdoors” with Champion Foods Volunteer Riff Turner, “Perennials and Wood Shrubs for Cut Flower Arrangements” with Martha White, and “Plant Propagation” with Lindsay Bowles. The goal of this event was to explore the benefits of being outdoors and how participants can improve their outdoor experiences by using different cooking methods with tips on outdoor cooking, as well as how to utilize outdoor perennials and start their own plants from clippings.

Of the sixty-four (64) participants 47% were first time program participants.  91% of participants stated they have improved knowledge, opinions, and/or skills when it comes to outdoor cooking. 81% of participants stated that they gained more knowledge in consumer and home horticulture. 84% of participants stated they have an increased knowledge, opinion, and/or skills on starting their own plants. Participants stated that they never gave much thought to utilize perennials, shrubs, and other floral in landscaping and will start to make a more conscious effort. Several participants claimed their biggest takeaways were “Learning more about grilling tips and tricks, learning more about different kinds of plants, and how to cut and care for indoor plants.”