Success StoryGrowing community



Growing community

Author: Jamie Dockery

Planning Unit: Fayette County CES

Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture

Plan of Work: Making Healthy Lifestyle Choices and Citizen Education

Outcome: Initial Outcome

A recent study at our own university identified several Lexington communities as  low income areas where residents have little access to transportation, grocery stores, and subsequently, nutritious food. In an effort to address this, the Fayette County Extension horticulture program organized a program called Growing Community. Since 2010 our program has consisted of ongoing demonstrations and classes that arm participants with the basic knowledge to grow vegetables.  A collaboration with students at The Learning Center, Kentucky State University, our horticulture research farm, Master Gardener volunteers, Family and Consumer Science agents, and the residents of the local neighborhoods.  This year we provided funding and plans for raised beds that were constructed by engineering students at the school. We also provided seeds and transplants grown by horticulture students to all particiapants who attended our educational sessions. The students planted and maintained the gardens along with a pollinator garden to teach importance of beneficial insects.This year 119 families completed the training. Students helped from start to finish, helping teach and conduct the program. The program travels to a new area each year in an effort to make extension information and resources available in all of our communities.






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