The SNAP-Ed assistant was exploring ways to utilize funding for raised garden beds and also maintain the social distancing of 6 feet between participants.  Thinking it would take more activities than just planting in the raised garden to provide participants something to do, and occupy them while they waited for their turn to plant in the raised beds.; once again good partnering and combining resources solved the problems.

 The two SNAP-Ed assistants combined their shares of the funding to be able to fill two beds, one community bed at the Wolfe County Extension Office and a school raised bed at the Bethany School.  To fill the beds with new soil, a truck was borrowed from a family member and the Snap Ed Assistant also enlisted the help of family in unloading the soil to overcome the challenge of having a volunteer, whom she could be in close proximity to.  To keep participants six feet Wolfe County Library was asked to join the day, as our theme was the Learning, Eating, Activity for Primary (LEAP) story “The Giant Turnip” the library provided the story books for each child participating in the planting activity.  To provide yet another activity one SNAP Assistant conducted planting at the raised garden bed, the second manned a table with seeds, soil and a pot to do planting at home.  Our Agriculture and Natural Resources agent helped provide a variety of seeds, and take home planting instructions.  The 3 areas of activities were established at both locations.

Five families with pre-school age children participated at the community garden, while 20 children participated at the school.  The experience gave us hands on practice to conduct outside learning programs with social distancing.  It was a small beginning, but it was a launch of a new way to conduct our programs.  A large amount of combining resources and efforts went into the project.  Best of all our seed sprouted making us feel victorious, and thus began our Fall Victory Garden.