Situation : In Kentucky, at least one out of every three adults (34.2%) and children (37.1%) are overweight or obese, more than one out of every five Kentuckians (16.8%) and Kentucky children (21.9%) experience food insecurities, and one out of every three Kentuckians (29.8%) are physically inactive (SNAP-Ed, 2017). <Insert county specific data here.*> Youth gardening programs have shown increases in youth vegetable preferences, vegetable consumption, knowledge in nutrition and plant science, and engagement in physical activity (Spears-Lanoix, et. al, 2015). McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service (CES) Agents in  4-H Youth Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources, Horticulture, and Family and Consumer Sciences attended the Junior Master Gardener in-service held on September 19-20, 2017. At the in-service, county CES personnel were trained by the Junior Master Gardener National Program Coordinator and collaborated as a county team to develop a implementation plan for their county.
In January through May of 2018, the McCracken County CES Agents worked with Clark Elementary School to provide a Junior Master Gardener school enrichment program for the fourth-grade class. The program averaged twice-monthly classes in which 105 youth participated. During the program, youth engaged in hands-on activities to learn about gardening and related activities, such as nutrition, garden science, physical activity, food preparation, and fresh-vegetable tastings. Youth were evaluated using a pre- and post-test survey. The evaluation indicated that 4% of youth participants had an increase in fruit and vegetable preference after participating in the Junior Master Program.  The evaluation indicated that 43% of youth participants increased knowledge in nutrition and plant science.  Due to the success of the program the classroom teacher explained that she was very likely to do this program with future classes.  Many students involved in the program discussed their enjoyment of the program and said they felt they had become more comfortable with trying new foods.  
Long-term Outcomes:
       Individuals will reduce their risk for nutrition-related health problems.  
•       Individuals will maintain a healthy weight.
•       The instance of food insecurity will decline in the community.
•       Individuals will increase their physical stamina.
•       Individuals will increase food availability by accessing additional healthy foods via community systems and personal productivity.


Intermediate Outcomes:

Intermediate Outcomes:  
•Individuals will adopt one recommendation from the dietary guidelines.
•Individuals adopt one food resource management practice.
•Individuals engage in regular physical activity.
•Individuals utilize community support systems (farmers market, community gardens, WIC, food pantry, etc.) that provide access to healthy foods.
•Individuals will grow, care for, produce and preserve foods from personal gardens and orchards to gain access to healthy foods.


Initial Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:  

•Individuals will be able to identify the components of a healthy diet as defined by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
•Individuals will identify food resource management practices.
•Individuals will recognize the importance of physical activity as part of a healthy lifestyle.
•Individuals will locate community support systems (farmers market, WIC, food pantry, etc.) that provide access to healthy foods.
•Individuals will develop skills and knowledge to grow their own garden and/or orchard.
•Partners will recognize the need for community social, environmental, and policy systems to address efforts toward improving healthier lifestyles.


*For county specific data on obesity, etc. contact Marisa Aull (with Nutrition Education Program) at marisa.aull@uky.edu.

References:
Erica, C. Spears-Lanoix, MA. E., Lisako, J., McKyer, PhD, MPH., Evans, A, PhD, MPH., McIntoch, W, PhD., Ory, M, PhD, MPH., Whittlesey, L, MS., Kirk, A, MPH., Hoelscher, M, PhD, LD, RD., Warren, L,, PhD. (2015, December). Using Family-Focused Garden, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Programs To Reduce Childhood Obesity: The Texas! Go! Eat! Grow! Pilot Study. Retrieved from http://jmgkids.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/LGEG-Published-Pilot.pdf.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) 2017 Annual Report. (2017). University of Kentucky. Retrieved from https://kynep.ca.uky.edu/files/2017-snap-ed-annual-report.pdf.