Due to Covid-19, the Spencer County Extension Agents had to learn how to change our ideas on programming to reach our community.  FaceBook Live, FaceBook, and the office website have served as tools to make the Pavilion Projects To Go a huge success in Spencer County.

Over 2,000 projects have been given to members of the community through the pavilion projects.  950 kits have been distributed to students through our partnerships with Taylorsville Elementary School, Spencer County Middle School, and Spencer County High School.  Windowsill Gardens were provided for 6^th grade Science students and FCS Foods classes, as enrichment programs.  The Summer Enrichment Programs continued virtually with four large kits being distributed by school staff.  The kits were loaded with activities and projects for the youth and their families and included Ag Day, Health Day, S.E.T. Day, and Natural Resources.  

A new family to the Extension program stated, “Not only do we have sunflowers, we have been motivated to start a veggie garden.  Also, a couple of different flowers too.  We just started pumpkins, which we have been wanting to plant for years now.  My son had learned that gardening is hard work.  Thanks again for all of the great projects the Extension Office has made available during these crazy times.”

Another active family said, “We loved the conversation started and they made for great talks at dinner together.  They asked about creating more starters to add to our bag to draw from.  It was nice to see my shyer kid’s practice not only participating in but starting conversations.  They each have planned a meal using the guide and healthy plate information.  They have learned so much about the food groups and not only cooking, but planning meals.  It has been awesome to hear them thinking about things like which meals made them full longer and which ones they had to add fruits and vegetables too.  They really enjoyed and learned a lot about a healthy plate and why they need a healthy plate, as well as planning for that.  Thank you!”

The impact that the youth and adults have shared including not only life skills and handwashing techniques, but how to sew on a button.  Food preparation and meal planning have been extremely important.  Now our families not only know where they food truly comes from but have locally produced gardens because of the pavilion projects. They have also learned the importance of physical fitness and hydration over the past several months.