It is important to provide gardening knowledge, materials and supplies to the community, especially those who face challenges and have limited resources. Many people have never had the opportunity to see or work in a real garden, which means they have never had the chance to watch something they plant grow and produce fresh vegetables to eat. The McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service received a Community and School Garden Grant from the Kentucky Nutrition Education Program which helped them provide three raised beds for the Goodwill Opportunity Center in Paducah.

The Horticulture Assistant, Horticulture Agent, and NEP Program Assistant provided the tools and resources for a planting day at the Goodwill Opportunity Center where participants helped plant a variety of vegetables and herbs to take care of and watch grow into produce for them to enjoy. The experience was very hands on, and approximately 15 individuals, all with different backgrounds and stories, were able to partake in this great opportunity to be educated in gardening and its many health benefits. Participants expressed their appreciation for the program and looked forward to seeing their work flourish. For some, it brought back memories of gardening as a child, and for many others it was a completely new experience. The raised beds are available to all clients of the Goodwill Opportunity Center and are a great way to teach them about the accessibility of gardening and healthy meal planning. The second picture shows the Horticulture Assistant explaining the proper way to plant tomatoes.