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.






Stories by Jamie Dockery


Helping Agents Better Serve their Communities

about 1 months ago by Jamie Dockery

The C1 and C2 County Extension Agents for Horticulture, in partnership with the University of Kentuc... Read More


Stories by Fayette County CES


Creative Technology at William Wells Brown Elementary

Creative Technology at William Wells Brown Elementary

about 1 months ago by Genaea Sarantakos

Fayette County 4-H established a relationship with William Wells Brown Elementary in 2023 with 4th g... Read More


In the Face of Disaster Bluegrass Area Collective Programming

In the Face of Disaster Bluegrass Area Collective Programming

about 1 months ago by Maranda Brooks

Kentuckians have experienced firsthand how natural disasters can occur any time and often with littl... Read More