The Pendleton County Extension Office was selected as a pilot program for the state to administer the Junior Master Gardener Curriculum from Texas A&M University. Agents Lindie Huffman, ANR; Kenna Knight, FCS; and Shelley Meyer, 4-H; received training from the specialist of Texas A&M and began work to partner with Southern Elementary School, Pendleton County Public Library, and Transitions Drug Rehabilitation Center to offer gardening education and skills building workshops around the community.

Beginning in January, the 4th grade science class at Southern Elementary School participated in engaging science and math based lessons to grow their green thumbs. Bi-weekly, agents would lead lessons such as seed starting, garden planning, etc. The students started their own hydroponic garden right in their classroom and tried a variety of fruits and vegetables using their “sensory scientist” skills. 100% of the students tried at least one vegetable that they had never had before.

The gardening education didn’t stop at the end of the school year. Through partnership with the Pendleton County Public Library, the Extension Office provided education and resources to partner in the Summer Reading Series. Each week of the summer months, educational classes on gardening and healthy eating practices were held on alternating weeks for adults and youth. Twenty-two adults and 37 youth participated in the program. The Extension Office sponsored a raised garden bed that grew a bounty of vegetables. Participants planted from both seed and transplant, including 6 varieties of tomatoes, eggplant, carnival peppers, rosemary, carrots, beets, radishes, and cilantro. This project was driven by community volunteers, class participants, library staff, and extension personnel. In addition to the garden installation and hydroponic garden display, the Extension Office also donated a collection of children’s gardening books to add to the children’s library.

After the success of our gardening efforts, agents were contacted by Transitions Drug Rehabilitation Center in Falmouth, KY, to offer life skills educational classes. To aid in skills development, agents and program staff assistants focus efforts around gardening, healthy eating, and physical activity. Each Monday, an Extension Educator teaches classes to residents and encourages them to utilize their community resources. In September, the residents of Transitions constructed a raised be garden with guidance from ANR and FCS Extension Agents. The residents will select the plants they’d like to grow, which will be utilized by the kitchen in their weekly menus, and the scraps composted in the newly established compost bin to later return those nutrients to the garden.

The Junior Master Gardener Program has been a great collaborative effort by all Extension Staff, along with many community partners. While much of the program is funded through the Extension Office, Extension Staff have also been pro-active in seeking grants and sponsors. Our successful partnerships and awards are as follows: JMG Pilot County (curriculum), Snap-Ed Mini-Grants (fresh fruits and veggies), Wal-Mart (seeds, pots), Snap-Education Grant (Raised Bed/Composter).