Success StoryFirst Baptist Church Community Garden



First Baptist Church Community Garden

Author: Paul Dengel

Planning Unit: Whitley County CES

Major Program: Master Gardener

Plan of Work: Promoting Healthy Homes and Communities

Outcome: Intermediate Outcome

In 2016, Horticulture agent, Paul Dengel was approached by the First Baptist Church in Corbin to get advice on starting a community garden. The church had four Master Gardener's in their congregation that Mr. Dengel worked closely with them to solicit volunteers from the church as well as plan, build, and grow the garden.  In 2017, First Baptist Church received a Grow Appalachia grant to expand the garden and they expanded to 24 beds. 

From these 24 vegetable beds we made the following impact...

-1,596 lbs of vegetables grown

-Outlets for donation were the church food pantry and the Laurel County Domestic Violence Shelter

-Providing food for 474 families affecting the lives and health of 823 individuals

-20+ volunteers put in over 150 hours of gardening

During this winter, Paul has been advising First Baptist Church on finding grants for the garden and there is plans for a high tunnel so they can expand their growing season and feed more people throughout the year.






Stories by Whitley County CES


Bringing Art Home: Overcoming Barriers to Creative Engagement in the Community

about 1 months ago by Cortney Moses

Many community members in the county found it difficult to access arts programs offered by the local... Read More


Bridging Cultures through Agriculture and Technology

about 1 months ago by Laura Rogers

The issue centered around the difficulty of engaging underserved Hispanic and small farm communities... Read More