It is a legacy to ensure our children and youth learn about gardening. They are our future and as parents, grandparents and mentors to help our young people learn about growing our own food and more. Not only is it important to our future on Earth but there are also spin off benefits for the children and youth themselves. Third and fifth graders show a more positive attitude toward fruit and vegetable snacks after completing horticulture activities from a nutrition gardening curriculum. Studies have also shown youth develop better interpersonal relationship skills and help to increase self-esteem and develop a sense of ownership and responsibility after participating in a school or community garden program.
The Saskatoon School of Horticulture and the Prairie Master Gardeners have launched a new Junior Master Gardener Program. This program is an interactive, innovative program to introduce children to the art and science of gardening. Through this program, our next gardening generation will learn about environment, plants and how they grow, flora, fauna, soil and water interactions and much more.
In addition to the program we also are offering Junior Master Gardener Kids Camps throughout July and August. These camps are geared to initiate a passion for the green and growing, and cultivate that passion with future events and activities in children ages eight to 13. The campers will engage in hands-on activities to learn about all facets of the world of gardening.
Activities and lessons will be gauged to teach about: Plant Growth and Development; Soils and Water; Ecology and Environmental Horticulture; Insects and Diseases; Landscape Horticulture; Fruits and Nuts; Vegetables and Herbs; Life Skills and Career Exploration. Once each component is completed, the child will have completed one level of the program. To become a certified Junior Master Gardener, all four levels of the program must be completed along with a component of community volunteerism. One full week of camp will complete one level of the Junior Master Gardener Program.
The levels of the Junior Master Gardener Program are: Level 1 – Seed; Level 2 – Leaf; Level 3 – Flower; Level 4 – Tree.
Camps are held at the Saskatoon School of Horticulture in Saskatoon but we are also willing to bring camps to your location with an appropriate number of registrants to offset travel costs. The cost of a weeklong camp is $225 but we are willing to customize camps. Please call or email for more information.
Let's grow our future and ensure our youngsters are ready to grow theirs.
Contact the Saskatoon School of Horticulture at 306-931-4769; growyourfuture@gmail.com; www.saskhort.com
— Hanbidge is a horticulturist with the Saskatoon School of Horticulture and can be reached at 306-931-GROW(4769); by email at growyourfuture@gmail.com or check out our website at saskhort.com.
