Plant ‘n’ Preserve Workshop Series: Growing Resilient Gardeners & Food Preservers
Extension Education
Carmen Ketron
Darlington
Abstract
The increased demand for home gardening and food resiliency has created a need for knowledge on how to grow edible plants successfully and preserve abundant harvests. To address this, Clemson Cooperative Extension agents from the Urban Horticulture and Food Preservation and Safety team developed a hands-on educational program combining gardening techniques with food preservation methods in the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina. The program aimed to provide novice gardeners with practical skills for growing edible plants and preserving their harvest through pickling, drying, and fermentation techniques.
Three monthly sessions led up to the regional planting season, each combining gardening instruction with preservation techniques. The January module focused on garden preparation and pickling, teaching participants to start seeds indoors, prepare garden beds, and create grow light systems under $75 while also developing knife skills and the safety and execution of proper vegetable pickling techniques. February's session centered on herb cultivation and care, including growing herbs in the ground and containers, preserving through drying, and creating herb salt. The final module in March covered vegetable gardening techniques and fermentation, including cabbage preparation for sauerkraut and fermentation science.
Each session included take-home materials, allowing participants to immediately implement learned skills: seed-starting kits, herb plants, self-pickled vegetables, and fermentation equipment. This hands-on approach proved highly effective, with post-session evaluations (n=16) revealing that 90% of participants gained knowledge and 85% reported satisfaction. Notably, 80% specifically valued the hands-on components, with over half indicating this approach was their primary reason for attendance.
Participant feedback demonstrated a significant impact: "This class will help me have a successful garden that I can harvest, preserve, and feed my family, everything I set out to do." The program successfully created a pathway for participants to develop food security and sustainability skills, with participants specifically noting appreciation for safety instruction in preservation techniques. The garden-to-table approach effectively bridges the knowledge gap between cultivation and preservation, providing participants with a complete skill set to increase their food resilience.
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
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Authors: Carmen Ketron, Chase Baillie
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Ketron, C. Urban Horticultre Agent, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, South Carolina, 29532
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Baillie, C. Food Systems and Safety Agent, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, South Carolina, 29526