Thanks to a grant from the NYS Department of Ag and Markets, Ag Educator Ariel Kirk and her team were able to develop a do-it-yourself container garden kit with all the necessary components and supplementary support materials, and then collaborating with neighboring CCE associations, distribute the kits to residents in five counties in New York State.
Each kit comes with three potting containers, three familiar and quick growing seed types (Italian basil, green onions, and romaine-style lettuce), potting soil, and a growing guide. To engage participants and offer alternative learning platforms, educators created a Facebook group specifically for sharing progress photos, comments, and technical help. Using the Facebook group allowed educators and participants to communicate in real-time as they would in a traditional in-person workshop.
“The audience interested in gardening has been diverse, from senior couples looking forward to trying container gardening at home, to parents with young children, parents introducing their special needs children to gardening, and grandparents working with their grandkids on the project,” said Kirk. “In Steuben county alone, 35 people asked to participate within the first three days of the announcement.”