Drive-Thru “Plant and Grow Container Garden Kit" Give-A-Way

Continuously looking for ways to support clients' success in raising various crops, the Knott County Extension Agent for Agriculture had to take a different approach this year. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Agent had to get creative in order to meet the guidelines and regulations derived from the current situations. In doing so, the Agent also had to make sure that the needs and wants did not go unnoticed and with an increased level of interest of several community members wanting to grow their own gardens. Therefore, the support and education they receive could help them feed their family, friends, and community for days to come with the various produce being derived from these gardens. 

The interest in planting, working, and watching various crops grow in gardens has a positive effect on not only one's mentality but also helps families spending quality time together. As some may have extra time on their hands these days, this provides multiple opportunities for them to come together and experience a fun and educational family activity while making the most out of the additional time. During the 1st week of May, a significant freeze hit our region, which caused many gardeners to lose their vegetable plants.  As a result, the Agent saw an opportunity for a unique way to assist the community by having a drive-thru the event to give away a "Plant and Grow Container Gardening Kit." This would provide gardeners with plants and educational materials; it would also create a relationship between them and the Extension Service for future educational opportunities to explore.  

When promoting the event, the Agent and staff advertised through social media by sharing a post and a short video, also adding a flyer into the Extension's newsletter. The drive-thru “Plant and Grow Container Garden Kit" give-a-way was scheduled for Thursday, May 21st from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. or until the kits were all gone. Each Plant and Grow Kit contained a plant container, two tomato plants, and two pepper plants for transplant. Along with several UK and SNAP publications being provided such as "Gardening for Beginners," "Gardening In Small Spaces," pepper and tomato recipes, and the latest Healthy at Home Publication. 

The Plant and Grow Kits response was incredible, and in less than one hour, all 100 kits were distributed to several families that participated in the drive-thru event. As time goes by, several families have shared pictures on Facebook of their tomato and pepper plants growing. They have also called and commented on social media while sharing photos of how this event has helped them learn about gardens also have expressed enjoyment and excitement they have received by working and watching their gardens grow. Some of those comments received sound like this, "Thank you for having your event. We desperately needed these beautiful plants for our garden. Knowing that the Knott County Extension Service has these services and opportunities available for our community is amazing. We love how you offer these benefits to first-time gardeners, but also for those that have a garden for several years is wonderful." The Agent and staff are pleased with the overall outreach of support given and received during this event. It had a significant impact on the community as appreciation comments, and photos of successful gardens of all sizes keep getting shared. These gardens vary from container gardening, raised beds, and traditional home gardens producing numerous amount of food to their families and others.