Author: Madalyn Hale
Planning Unit: Clark County CES
Major Program: Natural Resources
Plan of Work: Making healthy Lifestyle Choices and Citizen Education
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The week of October 26-30, 2020 was Fayette County Extension's Pumpkin Week! This was the first year that we put together a Pumpkin Week. Pumpkin Week was spearheaded by myself and the other 4-H staff, but it was a whole office collaboration to pull it off and get everything together. 4-H provided all of the supplies and I coordinated the activities and materials to be provided. The Horticulture Agent and Technician provided videos about pumpkins and one about floral arranging using pumpkins, our Family and Consumer Sciences Agent provided a video with a pumpkin recipe, Our SNAP-Ed Senior Program Assistant provided recipes, incentives, and a video creating Pumpkin Fluff. One of the 4-H Program Assistants found recipes using pumpkin that were included in our materials, as well as created a video for one of the craft, and our Agriculture Agent picked up the large load of pumpkins. It took the entire 4-H staff to compile the materials in the give away bags with all of the craft supplies and other materials. Our support staff was also amazing in helping to distribute the materials to everyone that signed up and came to the office for their goodies. The Pumpkin Week was advertised on the Fayette County 4-H Facebook page, and an email blast went out to our 4-H and Horticulture list serves. There were a total of 155 participants registered, this number includes both adults and youth as it was open to all. Out of the 155 registered, 138 participants picked up their supplies, so 89% of registrants picked up their supplies and participated in some fashion. Each day of the week I sent an email to the participants and provided craft instructions, a video, and a recipe. Some emails also included extra information, for example, Monday's email included information about the carving contest that was part of Pumpkin Week. We also provided a pumpkin to the first 65 people registered, and since there were extra pumpkins, we added in an email that they were available first come, first served for any extra available. Pumpkin week received positive feedback as can be seen in this email excerpt: "Olivia and I want to thank you for all the great crafts and recipes! She really enjoyed doing the different activities. She loved making dog treats for her dog. We shared the recipe for dog treats with the cooking class Olivia does with Jacqui on Tuesday"
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