Washington County Elementary Students Learn Gardening With 4-H

BOONSBORO – Did you know that according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the world population is estimated at 7.6 billion people, and it is expected to reach 9.8 billion by 2050 and 11.2 billion ‘here 2100?

A survey by the US Farmers & Ranchers Alliance found that 72% of consumers know little or nothing about farming and ranching.

Agriculture is Maryland’s No.1 industry, and as our country and world continues to rapidly urbanize, citizens are increasingly estranged from agriculture, the role it plays in their lives. daily, where their food comes from and how their food is produced.

Washington County 4-H is very excited to partner with a local Washington County elementary school to provide an opportunity for kids to get their hands dirty in the garden. Thanks to the “Kids in the Garden” grant provided by the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, nearly 500 students of Fountain Rock Elementary will have the opportunity to garden in their school.

Young people will create their own seeds of fast-flowering vegetables and flowers that they can take home and plant. They will also make small raised beds in their school from recycled products that will be planted with strawberries.

Through this project, students will not only learn, but will also be able to experience life cycles, the environment and food production. By getting their hands dirty, they will learn:

• Parts of a seed and a plant.

• How to grow plants.

• How plants and human actions affect the environment.

• How food is grown to give students a better appreciation of agriculture in their communities.

• About the nutritional benefits of eating fruits and vegetables every day.

Gardening teaches young people many life skills that they will use later in their adulthood. The life skills they acquire include responsibility through their role of caring for the plants in the garden, creativity, self-confidence, self-esteem, planning and organization, and time management. 4-H is deeply rooted in the development of life skills and the “learning by doing” model.

Through the process of experiential learning (learning by doing), students will hopefully take what they have learned during this program and apply it to their daily lives by becoming stewards of the world. environment, enjoying agriculture and the food it provides, and making healthy food choices.

Do you want to join 4-H or offer 4-H programs to young people you work with or know? Contact the University of Maryland’s 4-H Extension Youth Development Program at 301-791-1304.

Ashley Travis is the 4-H Extension Educator for the University of Maryland Extension Office in Washington County. She can be reached at 301-791-1304 or by email at [email protected].