Community Garden at Public Housing

Todd County Nutrition Education Program (NEP) Assistant, Todd County Extension Agent for Agriculture, and the Family and Consumer Sciences Summer Intern partnered together to plant a community garden at Todd County Public Housing “Pennyrile Village”.  The extension staff worked with the residence to place large pots around different locations in common areas for the community to share in growing fresh vegetables.

Member of the NEP Assistants “Healthy Choices for Everybody” nutrition class planted squash, bell peppers, and tomatoes. Throughout the summer, the class members watered and picked the produce. They prepared the fresh produce using recipes and techniques they learned in class.

At the end of the summer the class members had the following results.

78% of the participants improved daily physical activities. While diet quality of participants improved average was 53.8%, which includes 63% improvement in eating more fruit, vegetables and dark greens.

The community enjoyed having access to fresh vegetables during the summer. One resident that was leaving for the summer, received an extra squash plant and took it with her. When she returned, she told the Nutrition Education Program Assistant she had planted it at her sisters and they enjoyed eating squash all summer. Several residents decided to join the “Healthy Choices for Everybody” nutrition class as a result of working with the community garden.

Example of a few of the pots.