When the Covid 19 Pandemic hit, face to face contacts with clients had to cease for the Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) Assistant.  The EFNEP Assistant  decided to focus on gardening.  Wayne County had one school garden but there were none in the county for public use.

Adanta Clinical wanted to work more hands on with their clients on gardening.  Monticello Head Start wanted a raised bed where their children could see things growing and actually eat what they had planted and grown.

EFNEP Assistant worked with the administration of both facilities and the Agriculture Agent and Agriculture Assistant to plan for two new beds to be located at those facilities and to complete a raised bed at the extension office.  The Agriculture Agent also agreed to supply plants from the extension greenhouse.

The EFNEP Assistant constructed three raised beds at Adanta Clinical.   The beds at Adanta Clinical were completed in late August and will yield fresh greens for the clients to eat there this fall or to take home.  Any additional will be frozen for use after the clients view the “Food Preservation Video on Freezing Food.”   As an addendum to this report, Adanta clients picked greens from the raised beds to share with Horizon Adult Daycare and House of Blessings.  Some Adanta clients had meals from House of Blessings this summer and said "it felt good to give back."

One long bed was constructed at Monticello Head Start in late September.  It will be fully utilized with plants in the spring of 2021.

Both agencies are looking forward to a full year of vegetable growing in 2021.  Wayne County went from one school garden to two school gardens and two community gardens. 

Both beds have been utilized in 2021.  EFNEP Assistant planted the beds, clients/students have weeded, watered, and harvested. Wonderful partnerships.