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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