Success StoryGardening and Outdoor Activity for Physical and Mental Healthiness



Gardening and Outdoor Activity for Physical and Mental Healthiness

Author: Lynn Blankenship

Planning Unit: Metcalfe County CES

Major Program: Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy

Plan of Work: Develop Individual Youth and Adults for Leadership Volunteer Roles

Outcome: Initial Outcome

This FCS Agent created a comprehensive curriculum and evaluation, for the April 2021 Mammoth Cave Area Homemakers Leader training, with the theme of Gardening and Outdoor Activity for Physical and Mental Healthiness.  This FCS Agent was the first to travel to all ten Counties post COVID, to deliver an approved, COVID safe monthly area Homemaker Leader Training in person, to 64 Homemaker Leaders.  These leader volunteers then delivered the lesson to the members of their Homemaker Clubs, in April 2021.

Program evaluation indicated that as a result of participating in this program, the majority of participants: increased awareness of mental health and mental distress issues, increased awareness of tools available to help to prepare to discuss mental health with a healthcare provider, increased ability to implement modified gardening methods or other outdoor activities to improve their physical and mental healthiness and increased their understanding of the benefits to mental and physical health of outdoor activities including gardening, walking, day hiking, deep breathing, and bird watching.






Stories by Lynn Blankenship


Gardening and Outdoor Activity for Physical and Mental Healthiness

about 2 years ago by Lynn Blankenship

This FCS Agent created a comprehensive curriculum and evaluation, for the April 2021 Mammoth Cave Ar... Read More


Kick Kentucky Cancer Series Virtual Metcalfe County and SOKY area Pilot

about 2 years ago by Lynn Blankenship

According to the American Cancer Society (2021), one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer i... Read More


Stories by Metcalfe County CES


Gardening and Outdoor Activity for Physical and Mental Healthiness

about 2 years ago by Lynn Blankenship

This FCS Agent created a comprehensive curriculum and evaluation, for the April 2021 Mammoth Cave Ar... Read More


Youth Dairy Education

about 2 years ago by Gary Bell

The Mammoth Cave area is the heart of the dairy industry in Kentucky. Over 50% of the states total d... Read More


Stories by Community Gardens and Horticulture Therapy


Jessamine Co Extension Fall Foods Program

Jessamine Co Extension Fall Foods Program

about 2 years ago by Catherine Weaver

The Jessamine County Cooperative Extension Services offered a four-week online gardening program. Th... Read More


"It's All About Gardening" initiative for Elementary School

"It's All About Gardening" initiative for Elementary School

about 2 years ago by Ruth Chowning

In the early spring of 2021, Bullitt County Cooperative Extension Service was invited to collaborate... Read More