Carter County Extension Council members, leaders, and staff identified a need to recruit new clientele in Carter County.  As a result of the pandemic and agent vacancies face-to-face participation in programs had decreased.  Carter County Agents wanted to develop programs that would be of interest to people of all ages and help bring new participants to the Extension Office.  The goal was to have a schedule of classes that were not limited to farmers, 4-H, and Homemaker members. It was also identified that there was a need for a sense of achievement and community.  As a result of the pandemic, many felt isolated and were struggling with mental health and loneliness. According to BMC Public Health, arts engagement may help enhance positive mental health, life satisfaction, and protect against mental distress. Frequent arts participation and cultural attendance were associated with better mental health.

Agents and staff along with recommendations advisory council members developed a series of eight hands-on workshops titled “Make and Take”.  Presenters demonstrated a new skill and participants had an opportunity to complete the learned task and take the finished item home with them. The classes included Charcuterie Boards, Iced Sugar Cookies, Fresh Greenery Centerpieces, Quilted Pillows, Fruit Arrangements, Tie Dye shirts, and Floral Arrangements.  Several sessions were holiday themed, and all were open to the public.  

Two hundred and twenty-two total adults, youth, and seniors attended the sessions. Several came with groups of friends, co-workers, or as a family. Ninety-nine of the participants were new to Carter County Extension and had never attended a program at our office. 

The “Make and Take” series was a collaboration of all three program areas.  Two sessions were taught by professionals of local small businesses, two sessions were taught by an Extension Leader and Homemaker Volunteer, and four of the sessions were led by agents.  

One hundred percent of participants learned a new skill, demonstrated their skill, and reported a feeling of pride and a sense of achievement. All the skills learned also gave the potential to save money by making gifts and items themselves instead of purchasing from a caterer, baker, artist, or florist.  The series brought 99 new people into the extension office.  As a result, many have come back to participate in other programs.   Carter County Homemakers gained 5 new members, 4-H recruited new volunteers, the FCS Facebook page gained over 600 new followers, and the FCS newsletter almost doubled its mailing list. New members were also recruited for the County Extension Council, adding more diversity.  

Participants came to have fun while learning something new, but they ended up finding so much more in Carter County Cooperative Extension.