Food insecurity is a common issue in South Central Kentucky. According to Feeding America, among the 1,620 food insecure people in Clinton County, 75% may be SNAP eligible. South Central Kentucky is also home to many native wild game species that are commonly harvested for alternate sources of protein. However, many clients in the area struggle to prepare wild game to make it palatable. Game meats are naturally low in fat and cholesterol, but traditional cooking methods, such as frying, can negate those health benefits. The University of Kentucky SNAP Education program created a series of Cook Wild Kentucky recipe cards to provide alternative cooking recipes for wild game to promote healthy eating of game meat. 

Utilizing these recipe cards and SNAP-Ed funds, the Clinton County 4-H Agent, along with teen leaders from the 4-H Adventure Club, NEP Assistant, ANR Agent, Gifted and Talented Program, the homeschool community, and the Dale Hollow State Park event coordinator teamed up to host an interactive reptile/amphibian event at the Clinton County Extension Office for grades K-8 that would educate and expose youth participants to the availability and preparation of their natural resources.  After learning about reptiles/amphibians in their natural environment, each of the 95 youth participants were given the opportunity to taste test frog legs that were prepared by the 4-H teen leaders from the Cooking Wild recipe.  

The program has an overwhelming response from participants. 98% of participants stated that they had never tried frog legs prior to the program, and 88% stating that they would eat them again.  100% of the 4-H teen chefs stated that they gained knowledge on food safety for wild game.   100% of participants took home wild game recipe cards and/or wild game calendars that were distributed by the agents.