I do programming with the residents of Owensboro Regional Recovery, a local in-house substance abuse facility for men. As a SNAP-Ed Assistant, I get the opportunity to educate the residents in the My Plate Curriculum. When ORR reached out to the Nutrition Education Program, our Area NEP Agent & SNAP-Ed, we came together & the result is something awesome! Through the generosity of the Nutrition Education Program, we were able to purchase all supplies  (ie. building materials, soil, plants) for raised bed gardens for the facility. The men in the program built four raised beds, filled them with soil and planted the plants. I offer support, if any questions or needs arise, that have to do with the garden. 

The men are so proud of what they have done. The garden is very therapeutic & most all of the residents will get a chance to work in the garden through the phase system that the facility uses. As their produce comes in, I am getting the chance to work it into my programming. They have already picked cucumbers, peppers & zucchini, with tomatoes coming in soon. I am planning on demonstrating Easy Summer Salad, from the curriculum, soon, as they will have tomatoes ripe. Zucchini Boats, are on the menu, as well. I love that I to get the chance to teach & watch these men get excited about learning to cook with the very food they have grown. Since Owensboro Regional Recovery houses 100+ men, they plan on using their tomatoes & peppers for salsa, then canning it.  

We are already in the early talks about what to grow in a fall garden. A few of the men have already asked me what recipes I have that can be grown. It has been such a rewarding experience. The Garden of Hope is the name they gave their garden. Thankful to be a part of giving these men, just that.