Learning how to Garden

“Healthy Choices for Everybody” was presented to a special needs group (Academy on Main) once a month at the County Extension Office by the Nutrition Education Program assistant. Fifteen to twenty people attended the class each month where they had the opportunity to learn about MyPlate, how to cut, dice and chop a variety of different vegetables and fruits. Those vegetables and fruits were used in recipes they made from the 2025 SNAP- NEP Calendar. After learning about and tasting different fruits and vegetables, participants wanted to grow some of their own. The group started with raised- bed gardens and grew tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, cabbage, The NEP-Senior assistant shared recipes and demonstrated different ways to use the vegetables each week through the months of June and July. They made pickles from the dill and cucumbers they grew as well as salsa from the tomatoes. They loved spaghetti squash and zucchini bread. They have decided they may need a bigger garden area because they are interested in taking some canning classes next year through the County Extension Office.