In March of 2020, the Novel Corona Virus changed the way we must approach leadership development and connecting with our volunteers.  To maintain the safety of our volunteers; maintain program cohesion; and continue to work together developing programming, the Bullitt County horticulture program instituted a weekly Leadership Development program.  Each week volunteers meet to discuss current and potential programming, how to continue outreach in our community, new innovative program approaches, leadership development and just simply being social with one another.  

In this time of significant change and uncertainty, maintaining a sense of normalcy is essential.  Being able to meet and see one another, when many aspects of life have become socially distant, is key to our volunteers’ mental health and our program’s continued effectiveness.  Out of this, program 6 volunteers have developed 17 videos of original content for social media, our first, ever online plant salein the fall, and another 3 spring sales. Volunteers have developed better skills in technology (using search engines for research, Zoom, Facebook and other social media, and videography skills) and have developed their skills teaching one another.  This program has helped to unify our group and allowed the volunteers to work together on common goals and gain insight from one another about cultural practices and methods they each employ in the garden and how to better relate those methods when working with community members in a leadership role.