The pandemic gave people more time at home to focus on gardening and forced Extension Agents to turn to virtual programming.  As a result of this the Carter County Extension Agent for Agriculture & Natural Resources created Ready, Set, Grow: The Seed Series.   Videos about various garden topics were posted on Facebook and YouTube.    After watching the video, participants could request free seed packets that had been donated to the Extension Office.   

The first video about succulents provided an opportunity for indoor gardening in January.     The remaining five videos were posted each Tuesday at noon in March.    The first March post included a link to the Horticulture Webinar Wednesday video on herbs.  All of the other videos featured the Carter County ANR Agent discussing sunflowers, flowers for attracting hummingbirds, catnip & catgrass, and watermelons.   Fourteen individual people responded to at least one of the videos requesting the free seeds.   Many people responded to multiple videos.  Participants also received relevant Extension publications with their seeds.      

The responses to a post survey showed the following results:

40% are growing plants they have never grown before because of this series.  

20% have improved or maintained their physical, emotional, and/or mental health by participating in gardening programs.

40% have adapted new gardening practices based on the information in the videos or the publications they received.

40% have increased their access to fresh fruits or herbs because of this series.  

60% plan to harvest the edible crops.  

20% have improved their home landscaping.   

60% have shared something learned from the series with someone else.