According to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health in 2021, 23.05% of people in Kentucky report a mental illness of any kind in the past year (defined as having a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder, other than a developmental or substance use disorder). 4 in 10 adults in the US have at least one chronic disease, and 6 in 10 have two or more chronic diseases according to the CDC. Some of the key lifestyle risks for chronic disease are lack of physical activity and poor nutrition. In a 2022 report from the CDC, 30% of adults in Kentucky are reported to be physical inactive. The CDC’s State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2018, indicated that only 8.0% of adults in Kentucky meet the recommended daily fruit intake and only 6.3% of Kentucky adults meet the recommended daily intakes of vegetables.

Gardening has shown a positive impact on physical, mental, social, and general well-being according to a 2020 research review of research studies from 1990 to November 2019 published in the BMJ (previously known as the British Medical Journal) on the impact of gardens and gardening on health and well-being. The review found that gardening impacts mental health by reducing stress, reducing anxiety and depression, agitation reduction, and improving mental state. Gardening was also found to have a positive effect on physical and general health and well-being by increasing physical activity, decreasing obesity and BMI, increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables, and increasing heartrate as well as showing an increase in individual and community wellbeing, increasing enjoyment, and increasing participants’ quality of life. (What is the evidence for the impact of gardens and gardening on health and well-being: a scoping review and evidence-based logic model to guide healthcare strategy decision making on the use of gardening approaches as a social prescription - PubMed (nih.gov))

In April 2023, the Lake Cumberland Area FCS agents collectively offered an area-wide program “Grow Your Garden, Grow Your Mind” to individuals from Pulaski, McCreary, Wayne, Russell, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Adair, Green, and Taylor counties. Classes were taught by the Lake Cumberland FCS agents, Horticulture agent from Pulaski, ANR agent from Casey Co, with a special presentation by Wayne Co ANR agent. Participants attended classes related to raised bed gardening, rock gardening, flower pressing, plant identification/garden staking, growing berries year-round, and growing succulents, as well as sampling nutritious recipes from Plate It Up! Ky Proud and SNAP.  Participants were provided with information and hands-on activities and demonstrations on how to grow a garden as well as the impact gardening can have on physical and mental health. Participants also received garden plants, seeds, and gardening tools to encourage participants to start a garden or continue gardening.

57 participants completed the post-event survey. 98% of participants agreed or strongly agreed they had increased their ability to use art to promote mental health (as a result of the rock gardening and plant stakes classes). 100% agreed or strongly agreed they would use what they had learned from the event to increase their personal wellbeing. 88% stated they left with new ideas of healthy recipes they could make at home. 98% stated they had increased their knowledge of berries, 94% stated they learned a new idea for gardening decorations, 96% stated they were likely to grow or purchase a succulent following the program, 100% stated they were likely to use plant stakes in their gardens, and 100% stated an increase in knowledge of raised bed gardening. 97% of participants stated they would be interested in attending similar events in the future and 99% stated they were better acquainted with resources available at the extension office because of the event.