Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County welcomes youth participants
The Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County (EMGV) welcomed their first youth participants into the newly-opened Children’s Garden this summer. After what seemed like such a long-awaited time of finding a new location, getting the garden design laid out, and having plants in the ground, the EMGV were thrilled to host participants on two different occasions. After countless hours spent between the ribbon cutting and the camps, the EMGV were excited to see the garden through the youth’s eyes. The raised beds, pollinator patch, row garden, ABC garden, and other areas were bursting at the seams with flowers, produce, and insects waiting to be discovered.
The two different camps offered at the garden were titled, “Garden Explorations” and “Birds, Bees, Flowers, & Trees” respectively.
Garden Explorations began with the topic of garden manners. Youth participants sat around the tree stump circle and thought of a list of garden manners, with help of the volunteers. Don’t run, have soft touches, do not take produce without permission, properly place your tools in a safe manner after you use them, and be respectful were a few of importance that were discussed. Volunteer Jeannie Holmes led the discussion and then read a children’s book titled Heroes of the Vegetable Patch by Stark/Ramel. Lots of laughter was shared during the reading, as the “heroes” ventured through the patch discovering vegetables. Participants were able to then discover the garden, on their own, and make a nature bracelet with findings from around the space. Items such as flowers, sticks, leaves, and feathers were among the items found and attached to their bracelets. Participants were then able to share their findings with the group. Youth participants then ventured to the gazebo to learn more about plant parts and their specific jobs. They each made a craft to take home where they made a plant out of a straw, yarn, cupcake liner, and other items, and labeled each plant part. Volunteer Geri Hardee led the craft reading the description of each part as the participants cut and glued the parts to their papers. A seed library created out of different sized seeds, and how what type they are was also created. Youth participants shared lots of laughs when they were able to have snack time and eat their “hairy dinosaurs;” (a dinosaur shaped piece of bread with a smear of ranch, and alfalfa sprouts creating a hairy look.) Planting seeds in the row garden and transplants in the pollinator patch were among the last tasks of the day. Many of the participants shared about their own gardens, and what they had planted. Some had not participated in planting before and were taught proper planting techniques. While parents were arriving, the youth had take-home bags filled to the top with crafts, extra seeds, and even picked some produce with the help of EMGV that was able to be taken home.
Birds, Bees, Flowers, and Trees was themed to discuss insects and pollinators. Volunteer Jeannie Holmes read a book about insects. Volunteer Barbara Baker helped share posters about insects. Youth participants were eager to create a craft to search for insects. Using recycled materials, an insect observation chamber was created. Volunteer Jeannie Holmes gave each camper a hand-made safari hat to aid in their “safari hunt” of insects. A search for insects was conducted, and participants were giddy with excitement at the grasshoppers, caterpillars, and other insects found. The importance of pollinators was discussed, and a bee craft was made with the help of the volunteers. Volunteers Marsha Lovick, Geri Hardee, and Sally Durst aided in the creation of the bee. Several smaller crafts such as leaf rubbings and a life cycle bracelet were also made during the camp. A “birds’ nest” snack, prepared by the volunteers was also a popular part of the day!
Volunteers were ecstatic to have youth participants back in the Children’s Garden! With a late start this year in camp planning since the ribbon cutting in May, squeezing two camps in before the school year started was a great beginning to programming in the garden. The EMGV and Horticulture Extension Agent Paige Petticrew aim to offer more camps in the summer of 2025, with more informal offerings in the fall and spring. An open invitation is always extended to any community groups, schools, organizations, etc. to come and visit the garden. While it is a public area, if organizations would like to set up a tour of the garden with EMGV present, you can email Extension Agent Paige Petticrew at plherrin@ncsu.edu with questions! If you visit on your own, they ask that you “leave the garden as you found it,” and to please, not pick any of the produce as it is used for programming.
On November 16th the Gov. Richard Caswell Memorial State Historic Site, which is where the garden is housed, will have an event entitled, “Militia Muster: Before the Revolution” where a reenactment group will have several demonstrations. The EMGV will be at the Children’s Garden with story time, a craft, and ready to take you on a garden tour! Mark your calendars, bring your family, and come learn a little about history and horticulture!
For more information on offerings and events follow the EMGV facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/lenoirmastergardeners . You can also follow the Extension Office in Lenoir County’s facebook page for events, https://www.facebook.com/NCCELenoirCounty/ . You can also reach out to our Consumer Horticulture Agent Paige Petticrew via email at plherrin@ncsu.edu if you would like to schedule your small group, class group, etc. for a visit to the garden!
Written by: Paige Petticrew (Consumer Horticulture Agent & EMGV of Lenoir County Advisor)
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