Spring has Sprung

Spring has sprung here in Breathitt County. The time of year that’s most favorite for gardeners after a LONG winter!! Here in our little part of the Grow Appalachia Program things started happening really fast. We’ve recruited families, tilled gardens, grown plants and distributed them as well as planned our gardens. This year we have over 50 families in our program. That’s over fifty families that are going to eat healthy this year one way or another. Over fifty families that will make their food dollars go farther. A unique spin to our program is youth. We as the Breathitt County Extension Office partnered with our 4-H Youth Development Agent and identified youth who’s family is in the program. She is working with them on raising a small garden of their own. However she’s taking that step farther. She’ll be working with the youth on an entrepreneurship program. The youth will be designing their own logos and business cards; they’ve already participated in a food safety training; and they’ll get a chance to market their produce at the farmer’s market as a result! We’re hoping this will help them understand not only where their food comes from but also how they can make a few extra dollars here at home in the local economy.

The initial garden planning meetings have taken place. We’ve partnered again with RCARS to be able to borrow their tractor and tiller and we’ve tilled most everyone’s garden that needed it. Spring plants like broccoli, onions, cabbage, lettuce, etc. have been delivered and are growing well. Now if we could just get some rain we’d be much happier campers!