A vegetable garden started on Earth Day at the Illinois Executive Mansion has yielded fresh produce all season for the 21st Century Program, an after-school enrichment program at Graham Elementary School. But more than that, it has produced great joys, according to a recent article in “The Illinois Times”.
“The students were very excited to plant tiny seeds and watch them become plants,” writes Jennifer Fishburn, who mentored the students along with Master Gardener volunteers from the U of I Extension.
In the 44-ft. by 11-ft. garden the children and their helpers planted lettuce, radishes, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, green beans, onions, collards, Swiss chard, cucumbers, okra, potatoes, squash, and herbs.
Picking and eating the vegetables was a favorite activity among the students, and the rule was to try at least one bite of everything. “The students take great pride in what they have been able to grow, and volunteers have marveled at the excitement of the students,” Fishburn continues, who writes that one volunteer was happy to see the children learn quickly. They wanted to take seeds home to grow their own gardens and teach their parents.
Here at Burpee Home Gardens, we want to see more youth- and education-focused gardening in schools and communities! If you’re interested in getting your students involved in gardening and food production like the one written about above, fill out the application for our 2011 “I Can Grow” Youth Garden Award. We’re looking to sponsor and support worthy programs next spring!