Success StoryEnabling Future Gardeners



Enabling Future Gardeners

Author: Jamie Dockery

Planning Unit: Fayette County CES

Major Program: Home & Consumer Horticulture

Plan of Work: Leadership Development

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

Like many other areas, Lexingon has a number of neighborhhods where full service grocery stores are not readily accessible. These "food deserts" often play a role in overall nutrition and well being of their residents.The Fayette County Extension Horticulture program conducts an annual Growing Community event in areas where food access is limited to encourage using fresh produce in family meals.  This year's event was a collaboration with students at The Learning Center, several Extension partners, and local residents. We provided funding for raised beds that were constructed by engineering students at the school. We also provided seeds and transplants to participants. Our volunteers planted and maintained gardens and helped teach and conduct the programs. This year 173 families completed all four sessions and 84% indicated they planned to grow vegetables as a result. In a follow up survey of extension programs 39% indicated they grow more of their own food, and 24% report eating healthier as a result of our programs.






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