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- Springville Classy Gardeners Received Junior Master Gardener Certificates
Springville Educational Center is the home of the “Springville Classy Gardeners” where 20 youth received their level one Junior Master Gardener certificates.
The Educational Center was the site for a fall container garden that was created for the youth to have hands-on learning experiences that will provide lifelong skills and promote healthy eating. The garden was maintained by the students, Master Gardener Susan Wilson, school leaders, Alvester Barfield, Dr. Diane Newton, Dr. Marie Demery and LSU AgCenter Agents, Vicky Chesser, Joshua Salley and Cindy Smith.
The Junior Master Gardener (JMG) programs mission was developed to “Grow good kids by igniting a passion for learning, success, and service through a unique gardening education.” All the curricula includes independent and group learning experience, life skills and career exploration, service learning opportunities. All curricula are in correlation with state teaching standards.
The youth were responsible for locating the site, choosing the vegetables to plant, maintain the daily care and harvesting the product. The group met weekly to complete a serves of educational programs and enjoyed a variety of taste testing activities of different vegetables.
Planning for the spring 2011 garden is now underway and will be a raised bed garden. The “Salsa Garden” will conclude in May 2011, just in time for Cinco De Mayo. The youth are looking forward to the next level of the JMG program and getting the opportunity to further their gardening skills.
The LSU AgCenter would like to thank the Red River School Board, Dr. Newton, Mrs. Barfield, Dr. Demery and Mrs. Susan Wilson for their dedication and support to the youth of our parish. We also want to thank Wal-Mart for their donation of supplies and the grant money to start up our Spring garden.
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture