The impacts of community gardens extend far beyond that of providing fresh vegetables to those involved. A sense of belonging, teamwork skills, stress reduction, and increased physical activity are all benefits of community garden programs. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought on new changes and challenges to communities and extension programming. The biggest question is how we engage our community during a pandemic? Community gardens seemed to be the obvious answer with all the benefits surrounding them. 

The community gardens the Bracken County Cooperative Extension Service installed were located at the Brooksville Childcare, Brooksville Senior Living Apartments, Brooksville Senior Center, Bracken County Courthouse, and the Bracken County Extension Office. At Brooksville Childcare, teachers in the various classes are using the garden to educate children on the importance of healthy eating. According to one teacher “the children rush to the garden as soon as they get outside and are amazed to see it grow!” The children have even harvested their lettuce from the raised bed. The Brooksville Senior Living apartment garden is allowing residents to have access to fresh produce they would not be able to get because of limited transportation means. It also brings back fond memories of their youth as many of them lived on farms and worked on their own garden years ago.  Reminiscing about these activities has brought them much needed joy. 

Through these community gardens, the Bracken County Extension Service is able to pass on educational information regarding healthy recipes, living a healthy lifestyle, and becoming self-sufficient.