In the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment, nutrition and obesity were two of the top health challenges facing Grayson County residents. The low rankings nationally and statewide in diabetes, adult obesity and limited access to healthy food, are all problems that needed attention.  Twin Lakes Regional Medical Center (TLRMC) created a Population Health Committee to respond to these needs, and in doing so, created the idea of a community garden for families that do not have a means to grow fresh produce at home.  In 2017, the Partners in Health Coalition reached out to partner with the organization to collaborate an effort to research, design and create a community garden. TLRMC was generous enough to donate land behind the hospital which is centrally located in the community. Local businesses and farmers donated dirt, compost, materials, and time to clear off and construct the raised bed sites. They created 12 raised bed sites, 8 large (48 square feet) and 4 small (24 square feet). They had water spigot run to access water. In 2018, they had 5 beds rented out, and in 2019, they have all 12 in use, with 4 families on the waiting list. Due to the increase in popularity, the Master Gardeners are working with the Agriculture and Natural Resources and Family and Consumer Science agent to apply for a mini grant to purchase more materials and tools needed to make more beds and have a central storage unit. They are also partnered to do a “What’s in Your Garden” session focusing on raised bed gardening, plant diseases, insects, and also recipes on how to use the produce. The first session had 6 people attend, and there has been requests to do this monthly through the growing season.

One of the great successes of this project is the local participation of the after school Gardening Club from Grayson County Middle School. This group of students and their leaders have 2 beds that they are using just to raise produce for the local food pantry, participating in the “Raise a Row” campaign that UK Nutrition Education Program has developed. As of June 2019, the group has donated over 50 pounds of fresh produce (lettuce, broccoli, kale, radishes, and onions). They plan to re-plant summer vegetables and donate those as well.

This project showed the willingness of the community to come together to help increase the access to nutritious foods to people in Grayson County. The goal is to get residents making healthier choices and receiving education about gardening and food from reliable sources in the Master Gardener Association, Family Consumer Sciences and Agriculture/Horticulture.