According to the United States Census Bureau, based on American Community survey 5 year estimates, Butler County, KY has an estimated 24.6% of individuals below poverty level. Interestingly, the county seat of Morgantown, KY has an average 50.5% of individuals below poverty level. The counties economic status and no farmer’s markets strain individuals on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program the availability and access to fresh produce. In an effort to combat hunger, and to enable individuals to become sufficient in produce production and consumption, the Butler County Nutrition Education Program Assistant partnered with several organizations. 

 The Butler County Extension Agency and Andrea’s Mission for men and women, grew two community gardens. One garden was placed within the city and one within the county. The Butler County NEP assistant taught each facilities community members how to prepare the vegetables grown in their gardens. The assistant shared recipes, nutritional facts and demonstrations at each garden site. The availability of fresh vegetables grown in container gardens inspired the majority to learn ways to incorporate vegetables into their meals. Andrea’s Mission for men’s garden within the city participants showed a 73% increase in vegetable consumption.  Andrea’s Mission for women’s garden in the county participants reflected an 89.7% change in any food group at exit.

The NEP assistant also partnered with The Butler County Seed Library located at the Butler County Library. Nutritional information and recipes were also shared at this location. Another private party, Little Bit Garden, was utilized to share produce to limited resource families. Each month at commodity distribution, the Butler County NEP assistant taught Healthy Choices for Every Body Curriculum and produce was provided by Little Bit Garden. This was another opportunity to instill healthy changes in the meals of Butler County residents. 

The Butler County Nutrition Education Program Assistant, The Butler County Family and Consumer Science Agent, The Butler County Agriculture Agent, Andrea’s Mission for Men, Andrea’s Mission for Women, The Butler County Library, Community Action of Southern KY, and Little Bit Garden combined efforts to provide economical produce to Butler County.