“Kids Can Grow” Training Program for UMaine Extension Staff, Volunteers, and Other Youth Development Organizations
April 5, 2016
1:00 – 5:00 PM
Aldermere Farm, 20 Russell Ave, Rockport, Maine
This “Kids Can Grow” training program is being offered to UMaine Extension staff, volunteers, and other youth development organizations who wish to consider launching a program in their region in 2016.
Cost: Free, with option to buy a flash drive with informational files for $5
Pre-registration required: Contact Rebecca Gowdy at UMaine Extension York County, rebecca.gowdy@maine.edu or 800.287.1535 (in Maine) or 207.324.2814.
Register Online
Trainers: Frank Wertheim and Sue Tkacik (UMaine Extension); Aaron Englander (Erickson Field Preserve, Maine Coast Heritage Trust)
Co-presented by Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Are you interested in learning about a new “hands on” youth gardening program model? Kids Can Grow is an experiential youth gardening program model developed by University of Maine Cooperative Extension in York County in 1999. Through this 6-month comprehensive gardening program designed for children ages 7 – 12, youth learn how to grow nutritious vegetables, herbs, and beautiful flowers for their families in their own 3 x 5 foot raised-bed gardens at home using intensive square foot gardening techniques. The kids participate in a series of “hands on” gardening classes at a central location, and then repeat what they learn at home using materials the local program supplies with home-visit help from a Master Gardener or 4-H Volunteer mentor to assist and inspire them. Alternatively, the program can be adapted for on-site gardens only, without the at home garden component.
The Kids Can Grow secret to success is this experience of the children designing their own garden and successfully raising vegetables, flowers, and herbs of their choice that builds their self-esteem and starts them on a journey of what we hope will become a life-long gardening hobby. Food safety and good nutrition are also incorporated into the program.
We will present the Kids Can Grow program model, gauge interest in starting new programs at new sites, and help you to develop a support network to help make that happen.
For more information, contact Becky Gowdy at rebecca.gowdy@maine.edu or call 207.324.2814.
If you are a person with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in this program, please call Becky Gowdy at 207.324.2814 to discuss your needs. Receiving requests for accommodations at least 5 days before the program provides a reasonable amount of time to meet the request, however all requests will be considered.