Grow your Garden, Grow your Mind  October 2023 Success Story

According to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health in 2021, 23.05% of people in Kentucky 

reported as having a mental illness of some kind in the past year (defined as having a diagnosable

 mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder, other than a developmental or substance use disorder).

 Four in 10 adults in the US were reported having at least one chronic disease, and 6 in 10

 have two or more chronic diseases.

         Some of the key lifestyle risks for chronic disease are lack of physical activity and poor nutrition.

 In the 2022 report from the CDC, 30% of adults in Kentucky are reported to be physically inactive.

 The CDC’s indicator report   that only 8.0% of adults in Kentucky consume the fruits and vegetables

 recommended daily.

         Through the educational programs offered by our Healthy Minds and Healthy Gardening 

our clients increased their knowledge of the importance of fruits and vegetables in their diet, and the

 importance of being involved with people daily.  The targets audiences were the clients living in the

 ten county area with around 100 male and females attending the event.

          Gardening has shown a positive impact on physical, mental, social, and general well-being

 according to a 2020 research review published in the BMJ (previously known as the British Medical 

Journal).  The review found that gardening impacts mental health by reducing stress, reducing anxiety

 and depression, agitation reduction, and improving mental state. Gardening was also found to have

 a positive effect on physical and general health and well-being by increasing physical activity,

and  decreasing obesity.  

     Fifty-seven participants completed the survey, with 98% of  the participants agreed or strongly

 agreed they had increased their ability to use art to promote mental health (as a result of the 

rock gardening and plant stakes classes). 100% agreed or strongly agreed they would use what

 they had learned from the event to increase their personal wellbeing. 88% stated they left with 

new ideas of healthy recipes they could make at home. 98% stated they had increased their

 knowledge of berries, 94% stated they learned a new idea for gardening decorations,

 96% stated they were likely to grow or purchase a succulent following the program, 

100% stated they were likely to use plant stakes in their gardens, and 100% stated an increase 

in knowledge of raised bed gardening. 97% of participants stated they would be interested in 

attending similar events in the future and 99% stated they were better acquainted with resources 

available at the extension office because of the event.