Ford 4-H Club issued the following announcement on July 30.
This summer, University of Illinois Extension collaborated with Project Success of Vermilion County and Danville Area Community College (DACC) through the Vermilion County 4-H program to provide a unique experience for Danville youth. Students in the Project Success program at North Ridge Middle School have enrolled in 4-H for the first time and getting hands-on experience with gardening at the DACC Land Lab.
Through a new 4-H gardening club, youth meet twice a week to plant, care for, grow and harvest vegetables and various other common garden plants. They have experienced hands-on learning of all aspects of gardening, from designing the landscape to planting produce and maintaining the crop during the growth stage. They will learn all about harvesting their produce as it is ready to be picked, as well.
In addition to teaching the youth about gardening, a major focus of the club is to design a children’s garden for area youth at DACC. DACC Horticulture Instructor Amanda Krabbe assists the club as a volunteer, sharing her knowledge about gardening and providing new experiences for the youth enrolled in the club. She looks forward to the completion of the children’s garden, stating, “The 4-H youth have been very involved with its design and installation. A garden for youth designed by youth️.I can’t wait!”
Many of the youth involved in the gardening club did not have frequent experiences with nature before joining the club. Through the club, these youth are able to learn more about and interact with nature, all while reaping some unexpected personal benefits as well. According to the Children & Nature Network, youth who are involved in gardening are more likely to form positive relationships with nature that last well into adulthood.
Volunteers with the club have observed the impact it already has had on the youth involved. Mary Catherine, Site Coordinator for Project Success at North Ridge Middle School, expressed that through the events the youth experience at the Land Lab, including seeing baby bluebirds hatch, “the most rewarding thing has been seeing students' excitement at seeing things grow.” Kristy Herr, a 4-H volunteer and Land Lab landowner, adores the intense curiosity of the youth. “We are so thrilled to offer an opportunity for young people to get involved in planting and growing vegetables and trees and observing bugs, birds and nature,” stated Herr.
Through this partnership, youth in Danville will have many opportunities to observe nature in a unique, hands-on way, thus enriching and adding a lifelong love of nature to their lives. Once the children’s garden at DACC is completed, youth from all across the city will have access to new experiences as well.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Ford 4-H Club
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