Covid-19 put pressure on our food infrastructure system after flocks of citizens raided store shelves. Consumers began to question food supply and have interest in developing their own sustainable food production, thus an insurgence of interest in gardening and homesteading for sustainability emerged.

The PC ANR Agent in response developed the Garden Starter Drive-Thru program and coordinating Facebook Live "Growing your Garden from the Ground Up" | 2020 Victory Garden Educational Series.

With so many potential first time gardeners, it was important to provide more than just random seed. Hence, specific kits were developed for gardeners of every level to help boost their confidence and success.

Covid-19 response required distribution with social distancing measures. Thus the drive-thru was perfect solution to allow some engagement.

The kits were prepared ahead of time and a designated time and date (3 hour distribution window) was marketed via Facebook Event & Facebook Live Gardening Class 1.5 days prior to the event. 126+ cars participated in the drive-thru with over 200 participants! Participants we're of all ages 2 to 90+. Participants did not leave their car and the kits were placed in their trunks.

Social Media was the only marketing that was utilized for the event, specifically Facebook.

It has been a huge success in county, but also across the state and even the nation. Nine other states have asked for information to run their own garden-starter drive-thru in less than a week.

Thus far the weekly videos (2) have been viewed 1,100 times. The program reach including both direct and direct contacts is over 5,000+ in just a mere two weeks. Bringing in many 1^st time extension users.

The agent will continue to develop educational videos, post daily in the Facebook group, and be a resource to the 2020 Victory Gardeners throughout the season.