McCreary has been awarded the Grow Appalachia grant for 2017

The mission of Grow Appalachia has been to address the regional problems of diet-related health concerns, the limited availability of high quality fresh produce, and the generational loss of gardening knowledge.

Several Families will be selected in McCreary County to participate in the program and will be provided with the resources and support to grow their own garden.  Grant funded soil working equipment will be used to help families till and prepare gardens for initial spring planting. Each family will also be supplied with hand tools, seeds, plants, fertilizers, soil conditioners, and educational materials.  Ecosystem friendly, organic, sustainable techniques will be emphasized. Educational programs will be offered to share the most efficient and up-to-date information about gardening, cooking for maximum nutrition, and food preservation techniques.  The families will also be assisted in marketing their excess produce for supplemental income.

If you are interested in participating in Grow Appalachia, you can pick up an application at either the UK extension office or the Judge Executive office.  These applications will need to be turned back in by February 01, 2017.

Grow Appalachia will also be hiring a part time person for the growing season to assist with the program and the farmer’s market.  Anyone interested in applying can pick up an application at the UK extension office or the Judge Executive office.  These applications will also need to be turned back in by February 01, 2017.