Success StoryFamily Pumpkin Day
Family Pumpkin Day
Author: Jessica Bessin
Planning Unit: Mercer County CES
Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home
Plan of Work: Agriculture & Environment Education for Youth
Outcome: Initial Outcome
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. The Mercer County Horticulture Agent educated participants 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 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 (that the Horticulture agent acquired from local growers in the county) 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.
Stories by Jessica Bessin
Ag Teacher Pesticide Safety Program
It is very common to find a greenhouse at a high school these days, especially in rural communities.... Read More
Insect Trapping Helps Commercial Pumpkin Producers
Mercer County is home to several agritourism businesses. Most of these business draw in customers fr... Read More
Stories by Mercer County CES
KEHA Plays Pickleball
Pickleball has been the fastest growing sport in America over the last two years, according to many ... Read More
Cake Pop Class
The Mercer County Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences had an overwhelmingly popular request for b... Read More
© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment