A free, six-part series for youths ages 8-18 will focus on resources and skills to grow and eat healthy food.
The biweekly program, offered through University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H, will take place via Zoom on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Sessions are planned for April 6 and 20, May 4 and 18 and June 1 and 15.
Both new and experienced gardeners and cooks are encouraged to attend. Youths are welcome to participate as individuals or as a class, club or other group. Membership in 4-H is not required. To register, go to go.uvm.edu/4-h-gardening.
Presenters include UVM Extension Master Gardeners, nutrition educators and 4-H staff. The series is interactive, and participants are encouraged to share their gardening experiences and ask questions.
Among the topics covered will be tips for growing vegetables, pollinator-friendly and edible flowers, seed saving, edible and inedible wild plants, animals in the garden and nutrition, including recipes and information to make healthy dietary choices. Each session is designed to increase awareness of the wider natural environment and will include a take-home activity.
These activities include paper towel planting, growing sprouts in a Mason jar, seed starting, direct-sowing of edible flowers and finding a “sit spot” to observe the natural world, among others. Book recommendations and other resources also will be shared so participants can explore topics in depth on their own.
Visit uvm.edu/extension/youth/announcements for more information. To request a disability-related accommodation, contact Liz Kenton at liz.kenton@uvm.edu or (802) 257-7967, ext. 308.
