The Cooperative Extension Service of Mercer County continually seeks to expose new audiences to the resources available to all Kentuckians. The Mercer County Extension Agents for Horticulture and Family Consumer Sciences with the 4-H Youth Development Program Assistant teamed up to elaborate on existing programs to reach new clientele.  

Family pumpkin fun day, an event offered in the fall, taught families about how pumpkins are grown, the varieties available, and how to use them in preparing foods. This program was modified to be completely virtual and included pumpkin carving, providing ingredients for preparation of recipes, and other fall activities. Participants were educated on how pumpkins and other types of winter squash were grown along with how to prepare them for consumption. The Mercer County Extension Agent for Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) prepared recipe kits including ingredients for a savory pumpkin cheese risotto, four differently seasoned roasted pumpkin seeds, and Plate it Up Kentucky Proud Pumpkin Apple Muffins.  Participants received their own pumpkin with supplies to carve it, along with tips and tricks to make them last longer, as well as a variety of Plate It Up Kentucky Proud recipes.  From these modifications, there was an observable increase in multi-generational participants along with minorities from the community, a group identified as under-served in Mercer County.