In Kentucky, at least one out of every three adults (34.2%) and children (37.1%) are overweight or obese, more than one out of every five Kentuckians (16.8%) and Kentucky children (21.9%) experience food insecurities, and one out of every three Kentuckians (29.8%) are physically inactive (SNAP-Ed, 2017). Youth gardening programs have shown increases in youth vegetable preferences, vegetable consumption, knowledge in nutrition and plant science, and engagement in physical activity (Spears-Lanoix, et. al, 2015).

Learn, Grow, Eat, Go! is a project of the international Junior Master Gardener Program. The project includes a research-based, evidence-based curriculum for formal and non-formal educators to use with youth to teach about plant science, gardening, nutrition, and physical activity. Three Learn, Grow, Eat, Go! trainings were held in March 2019 with 66 participants in attendance. Participants, which included county Extension agents, program assistants, nutrition education program assistants, and volunteers, were provided a Learn, Grow, Eat, Go! curriculum at the training. Each participant was given an evaluation to complete at the end of the training. Sixty participants indicated that they had a better understanding of the curriculum and resources after attending the training. Fifty-seven participants indicated that they planned to use the curriculum in their county programming. A follow-up evaluation will be emailed to participants in 9 months to see if they have used the curriculum.

References:

Erica, C. Spears-Lanoix, MA. E., Lisako, J., McKyer, PhD, MPH., Evans, A, PhD, MPH., McIntoch, W, PhD., Ory, M, PhD, MPH., Whittlesey, L, MS., Kirk, A, MPH., Hoelscher, M, PhD, LD, RD., Warren, L,, PhD. (2015, December). Using Family-Focused Garden, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Programs To Reduce Childhood Obesity: The Texas! Go! Eat! Grow! Pilot Study. Retrieved from http://jmgkids.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/LGEG-Published-Pilot.pdf.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) 2017 Annual Report. (2017). University of Kentucky. Retrieved from https://kynep.ca.uky.edu/files/2017-snap-ed-annual-report.pdf.