Success Story4-H Grows Here



4-H Grows Here

Author: Dianna Reed

Planning Unit: Johnson County CES

Major Program: Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum

Plan of Work: Sustainable Farming

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

In 2018, the Johnson County Extension Council identified Gardening/Ag Production/Food Security as a priority for the Plan of Work. To address this issue, County Agent, Dianna Reed and Program Assistant, Valerie LeMaster worked with a local school to provide a three part workshop titled Seeds, Sprouts and Seedlings. In this workshop, session one covered the development of a seed from planting to seedling. As the accompanying hands-on activity, 100 students then planted herbs and tomato seeds in germination containers and flats. Students took home their herb containers that day. For the tomatoes containers were then placed under an inside grow light to begin the process of growing their own vegetables. Session two of the workshop entailed a return visit to the Extension Office to transplant their tomato seedlings into larger nursery pots and learn about what a greenhouse is and its purpose for gardeners and farmers in the agriculture process. They also planted raised garden beds in hopes of plants producing fruits and vegetables. Session three consisted of plant deliveries to students at schools along a 4-H Vegetable Bucket Garden project book and the reminder to keep their plants growing once they took them home.  Students were excited to have plants for their home gardening efforts, and were given information on how to continue the process of transplanting their vegetable plants to gardens or containers once they took them home. After the students took plants home, one youth sent us pictures of them tending to their home garden and explained they were continuing the skills we taught them to grow their own fresh vegetables. The raised beds were also very productive and produced vegetables that were given at no charge to community members who visited the Extension Office. This year marks the 5th consecutive year the workshop was offered. Through the partnership efforts of Extension staff, community volunteers and school personnel, these gardening education workshops have become an important medium to educate our youth and community and allow them to practice food security and ag production skills.






Stories by Dianna Reed


4-H Grows Here

about 6 years ago by Dianna Reed

In 2018, the Johnson County Extension Council identified Gardening/Ag Production/Food Security as a ... Read More


Youth Make a Difference

about 6 years ago by Dianna Reed

The Johnson County CEC and the 4-H Council identified Leadership and personal Development as a prior... Read More


Stories by Johnson County CES


Extension Guides New Farmer Into Successful Start in Syrup Production

about 6 years ago by Brian Jeffiers

In the years following the tobacco quota buyout and the end of the tobacco program, farms in Eastern... Read More


Farmers Learn Techniques for Combatting Black Vultures

about 6 years ago by Brian Jeffiers

One of the greatest threats to newborn calves is black vultures. These predatory birds are becoming ... Read More


Stories by Agriculture 4-H Core Curriculum


Livestock Club

Livestock Club

about 6 years ago by Matthew Chadwick

This year I worked with our Livestock club for the first time as the point agent. We started the yea... Read More


4-H and FFA Tractor Short Course

4-H and FFA Tractor Short Course

about 6 years ago by Virginia Harper

Calloway County 4-H and FFA collaborated on a Tractor Short Course to engage youth in learning about... Read More