Due to COVID safety restrictions, Bourbon County 4-H was unable to offer Face-to Face, hands on workshops from March 2020 through May 1, 2021. The Bourbon County Extension Office staff spent time considering how we could still reach youth and families during this time.  We decided to offer project bags for pick up.   Various project bags were distributed including activities on agriculture, horticulture, art, SET, nutrition, needlework, gardening, woodworking, holiday crafts, international crafts, just to name a few.   Many of the offerings were across all programming areas - they were a team effort.   Something for everyone. There were 4-H, Snap, Horticulture and FCS packets and incentives included.  The unexpected plus was the fact that based on sign in sheets, 72% of those picking up the packets were new to Extension.  New faces received information and found a new source of nonbiased informative information.  100% of recipients’ comments on Facebook were support of the Programs to Go picked up at the Bourbon County Extension Office. Bourbon County Extension Office distributed

One of the favorite project bags distributed was during Pumpkin Week in October.   This was a bag/kit  that promoted family time.  The bag included the following:

1. LED light up pumpkin kit (SET activity)
2. Pumpkin catapult kit  (SET activity)
3. 3D pumpkin kit (consider having your children write something they are thankful for on each strip before assembling the pumpkin)  (expressive Art activity)
4. Pumpkin Pie in a bag instructions along with …1 can of pumpkin, 2 boxes of pudding mix and a zippered bag for mixing. (Foods and Nutrition activity)
5. Spooky Youth reading List from the Paris-Bourbon County Library
6. Pencil from Paris – Bourbon County Library
7. 4-H Pencil
8. Recipes along with nutritional information about Pumpkins
9. A link for a YouTube video on cooking and using Pumpkins presented  by FCS Agent
10. A link for a video on how to roast pumpkin seeds (featuring one of our Cloverbud 4-H’ers) Presented by Snap Assistant
11. A link for a video on snack mix, featuring the roasted pumpkin seeds. Presented by Snap Assistant.
12. A large pumpkin, perfect for carving
13. Instructions and info on the Pumpkin Carving Contest.

We received numerous compliments and comments from Pumpkin Week participants. 100%  of the comments from participants reported good family time and learning at least one new skill.