Fresh food accessibility can be minimal when operating on a limited budget.  This can be especially true without knowledge of how to properly grow, prepare and preserve fresh food products.  Residents and administration of the Franklin Housing Authority expressed an interest in collaborating with the Simpson County Extension Service to grow a demonstration garden on the Housing Authority property.  

In response, the Simpson County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources and Simpson County NEP Assistant worked together to submit and receive the NEP School and Community Garden Grant in the amount of $1,500.  After working with staff at the Housing Authority, a location, desired plants and number of families to be served was determined. The grant was used for Extension employees to purchase soil for the raised bed gardens and gardening tools.  Extension collaborated with the local FFA chapter to construct the raised beds.  These raised beds along with a tilled area were utilized to demonstrate how to properly grow fresh vegetables.  The raised beds were grown and planted based on recommendations in the University of Kentucky publication "Gardening in Small Spaces".  

The Housing Authority Demonstration Garden is now in its second growing season.  Nineteen total families that live in the Franklin Housing Authority have participated in the garden project.  The demonstration garden consists of sixteen raised beds, various weed control methods and mulching material in the tilled ground, the Florida weave tomato staking method, and a timed irrigation system demonstrating both spider and drip irrigation.  100% of returning families reported that they learned different methods for successfully growing vegetables and self-fulfillment from growing their own food.  They enjoyed an abundance of fresh vegetables during the first growing season.  As a result, many participants consulted with the Simpson County NEP Assistant and Family and Consumer Sciences Agent, and utilized KY Proud recipes to improve nutrition and stretch their food dollar.  A food preservation workshop will be offered by the Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences for those participating in the garden project this year.