Based upon the need for healthier eating, at home, the Harrison County SNAP-Ed Assistant approached the Harrison County Horticulture Agent about offering a class together about growing vegetables in containers.  A large percentage of the SNAP-Ed audience are non-traditional gardeners and many of them do not have the size or location for a large garden or for any type of in-ground garden or raised bed.  The solution to this is to grow a container garden.

In the late winter, the SNAP-Ed assistant began to advertise to her clientele about the program.  It would be held at the Harrison County Extension Office on a Monday evening in April and a light dinner would be served.

On the night of the program, 15 people including youth and adults were in attendance.  Participants began by having a meal, then the Horticulture Agent taught a class about container gardening.  The class topics included why grow a container garden, how to get started, planting, maintenance, and harvest.  Following the presentation, the group went outside for two activities.  Participants planted potatoes in buckets and seeded herbs in peat trays.  The individuals were then given instructions on how to finish growing these projects at home, where they could then eat what they had grown.

Program participants were thrilled with the knowledge they received as well as the free plants they were given to grow.  Based upon the positive response, the Horticulture Agent and SNAP-Ed assistant plan to offer more programs together in the future.