At the direction of our leadership, Extension has been collaborating with several community groups over the years. One such group is the Saint Vincent’s Mission Grow Appalachian Program. The program works with lower income and beginning gardeners by assisting them in the production of fruits and vegetables to feed their family. Participants are encouraged their second year of the program to market some of their excess produce and products at various venues, the farmers market being one.   

Extension takes the lead on providing the educational component of the program by providing eight monthly session. Those sessions included the topics of basics of gardening, soil testing, insects, diseases, beneficial insects, wildlife issues, composting, chemical safe usage, raised bed, container gardening, harvesting and food safety. All of the participants had a site visit and suggestions were given prior to planting season. The program assisted the participants with seed, plants, fertilizers, fencing, and tools. 

This year, the program started with forty participating families. They were require to attend at least 6 educational session, follow soil recommendations, and complete harvest reports. At this time, thirty-five families have not missed an educational session and harvest reports are being regularly submitted. Four of the second year participants are marketing excess produce at the farmers market this season. 

All of the participants advised that they learned new knowledge from involvement in the program. Ninety-seven percent of the participants reports using new skills learned from one of the session. Most of the participants have thanked both entities for their efforts in making their gardening efforts successful.