Mercer County NEP Assistant, Extension Agent for Horticulture and Bluegrass Community Action partnered to offer a community garden for families without an area to plant fruits and vegetables.  Fifteen plots were provided for 15 families.  NEP Assistant applied for the community grant to purchase plants.  Bluegrass Community Action provided raised beds and the Horticulture Agent shared information on planting and care for the fruit and vegetables.  Several families had no gardening experience, and were given the opportunity to choose what they would like to grow.  Most only wanted tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelon or cantaloupe because that is what they were familiar with.  They were asked to try growing something they had never tried such as squash, zucchini, eggplant or peppers, with most trying at least 2 new vegetables.  Each month, the Horticulture Agent and NEP assistant would partner at the Community Action Building to share information with the participating families.  The NEP assistant would demonstrate how to use the items they had grown in recipes they could make for their families.  It was a great experience watching the families take pride in the garden and sending pictures they had taken with the children gathering fruits and vegetables.  They would also send pictures of new recipes they had make using the vegetables.  Over half of the families stated they had tried something new in their diet because of the garden.  Several even canned homemade salsa and stated they were interested in growing more items next year to preserve.  It looks like we will be adding our Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences into the program next year.