The Warren County Extension Agents and Staff created a fun, mobile educational program to highlight all program areas offered by the Cooperative Extension Service entitled “Extension on the Go”.  This collaborative effort focused on compiling a themed bag full of educational materials, family activities, recipes, and more for Warren County residents to enjoy.  For September, Fun Family Adventures was the theme and the bag included:  seeds and educational materials on how to grow a salad garden, KY Proud recipes and meal planning guide, Farmer's Market shopping guide, list of Bowling Green/Warren County walking trails, guide on how to make a leaf print to identify trees, list of local honey producers and a honey treat, top five ways to celebrate Fun on the Farm and some inspirational mental health tips!  

Fifty bags were created, and all were claimed within the first few days.  From information gained in a follow-up survey, we learned that due to the Extension on the Go Program:

91% of the respondents indicated the program lifted their spirits  

82% feel more confident in your ability to select prepare and store produce from the farmer’s market

82% feel more confident in creating self-care habits 

75% of participants plan to purchase local honey.

64% visited a Warren County Agritourism operation

63% utilized the local parks walking trail guide (11youth 13 adults)

50% made a leaf print

45% used the materials to grow a fall salad garden

The feedback from the program was positive and participants were appreciative of a fun, educational program.

 For October’s #extensiononthego bag featured how to select and use pumpkins, pumpkin decorating, learning how to make a homemade pie crust, fall recipe booklet, Cook Wild fish recipes, Joining homemakers and 4-H, watercolor painting, Warren County disc golf courses, information about harvest season, soybean information, and all about Pork Month!

The information gained from the follow-up survey stated:

24% visited a Warren County disc golf course

71% participated in the watercolor painting project

12% enrolled their child/grandchild in 4-H

100% found the pork cooking information helpful

100% plan on making a new dish using recipes provided

100% of participants plan to buy and eat lean protein

19% plan on attending the pie making class

35% created one of the pumpkin decorating ideas

For November and December’s #extensiononthego bag featured Spice Up Your Holiday items.  The bag included local popcorn and popcorn seasoning, turkey fact sheets, diabetes, and healthy holiday eating, venison recipes, local indoor walking track information, Winter Farmer’s market guide and produce recipes, winter container garden instructions, windowsill gardening with basil, and Holiday ideas from the Homemakers.

From the follow-up surveys we learned that:

100% enjoyed their local popcorn and are considering purchasing local popcorn

89% plan on using holiday makeover tips

89% would like more information on healthy eating

94% learned about winter farmers markets in the area and feel confident in selecting & storing winter produce

94% learned how to create a winter container garden and 56% plan to and/or created a winter container garden

94% felt confident in safely preparing their turkey due to extension publications

61% learned more about diabetes

89% learned more about windowsill gardening

72% learned and hopes to utilize one of the indoor walking tracks in Warren co