According to county data, only 15% of Jackson County residents consume the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables.  With 65% of children living in low income families, access to fresh produce is a challenge. 

The Jackson County 4-H Agent partnered with Jackson County Middle School Family Youth Service Center, Save the Children, Jackson County FFA Greenhouse, Netts Greenhouse, Tractor Supply, Jackson County Food Bank, and McKee Medical Clinic to distribute seventy Container Garden Project kits to youth in Jackson County during the month of May. Each container project consisted of five or more packs of a variety of vegetable seeds, a container, soil, a tomato plant, garden gloves, an Extension garden calendar, a Chop Chop magazine, links to a YouTube instructional video.  A Qualtrics survey was also created to properly evaluate the program and determine what youth learned from the project.  The instructional videos included information about planning and planting container garden, food safety, food preparation, and nutrition information and demonstrations. 

Students from all schools in the county including: Tyner Elementary School, McKee Elementary School, Sand Gap Elementary School, Jackson County Middle School, Jackson County High School, and Annville Christian Academy participated.  Youth learned responsibility in caring for the plants and soft skills such as attention to detail by following directions in the publications. Students documented the process of growing a container garden through photos.  They practiced life skills necessary to become self-sufficient.  The project also encourages interest in science, an understanding of where food comes from, and increased access and consumption of fruits and vegetables.  

Many parents commented about how their kids loved the project.  Some were even inspired to plant more containers using small swimming pools, cattle mineral buckets, and other containers that were found around their homes.  One parent said, “My kids loved this.  My daughter now thinks she is a professional gardener.”  Another parent said, “This is a wonderful project.  Thank you!”  Several others commented with similar displays of gratitude.  We also received a lot of pictures of kids planting their gardens.