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.






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Metcalfe County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Advisory Council sponsored the revival of the annual Baby Open House Baby Safety Fair event.

about 1 years ago by Lynn Blankenship

The problemMetcalfe County is a small, rural agricultural community in south central Kentucky. Due t... Read More


Stories by Metcalfe County CES


The Mind Body Connection

about 1 years ago by Lynn Blankenship

The problemYouth in our public schools have reported increased stress and anxiety. Physical activity... Read More


Metcalfe County Family and Consumer Sciences Extension Advisory Council sponsored the revival of the annual Baby Open House Baby Safety Fair event.

about 1 years ago by Lynn Blankenship

The problemMetcalfe County is a small, rural agricultural community in south central Kentucky. Due t... Read More