In Pulaski County's 2024 Community Needs Assessment, ‘support for substance use addiction prevention/recovery’ was ranked as the third highest important need to the 497 respondents.  In a survey (2016-2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health) of individuals over the age of 12, 8 to 9% of those respondents had used illicit drugs in the past month in the Pulaski County area.  In addition, Kentucky’s 2021 Overdose Fatality Report indicated Pulaski County’s death rate due to drug overdoses was 59.8 deaths per 100,000 residents (on par with Warren County which is a more populous county).

Gardening has been shown to have many positive effects on humans. There are physical, cognitive, social, and psychological benefits such as improvement in self-esteem, alleviation of depression, increased strength and stamina, and decreased stress.  These benefits have been seen in recovery garden programs. 

Sky Hope Rehabilitation Center is a 100-bed facility for women with drug addictions located in Somerset KY.   Raised beds were constructed at Sky Hope in 2019 and 2020. During 2023-24, the Horticulture Agent led weekly lessons and plantings outside during the growing season. Three different Lake Cumberland Master Gardeners assisted in all or some of the sessions during the year. 

Not only do residents learn about gardening but they also are engaged in some other non-gardening (but always plant-based), hands-on, fun programs, for example, using stevia to sweeten lemonade, growing mushrooms on logs, and planting a succulent garden (among others). One Extension Master Gardener (EMG) brings in small pumpkins around Halloween. The residents carve their pumpkins and afterwards the EMG teaches them how to airfry and season the seeds for a healthy snack.

The group of women who work in the garden changes as they move into other phases of their recovery. From one month to the next, the group may turnover by a quarter or half.  The weekly visits are crucial to keep everyone on the same page. 

Many vegetable crops are planted, however, most of the harvest is too small to feed all the residents.   Therefore, we grow other plants like herbs, garlic, and cutting flowers. These crops can be used in the kitchen or just to brighten the cafeteria or personal rooms.  

Several women had backgrounds in gardening and were excited to get to do some while they are recovering. Others were absolutely at level zero on their knowledge. They have proved to be capable adults, working together and learning to produce successful and nutritious crops.

Several of the women say they look forward to the once-a-week sessions and is one of their favorites of the week. In addition, volunteering to do garden chores has increased their self-confidence and given them leadership responsibilities. 

The Pulaski County SNAP-Ed assistant and Horticulture Agent work with the kitchen staff to see what garden produce could be incorporated into monthly SNAP-Ed lessons. With so many residents, herbs are one of the best items. Residents are not only learning about growing food but also nutrition through SNAP-Ed programs.