SU Ag Center begins youth Summer Garden Program at the Exxon Mobil YMCA

SU Ag Center Extension Associate Stephanie Elwood, standing on the far right, poses for a photo with participants of the 2016 Summer Garden Program at the Exxon Mobil YMCA. 

Baton Rouge, LA – The Southern University Ag Center has begun its youth Summer Garden Program at the Exxon Mobil YMCA in Scotlandville, La.

                  

The program involves growing and maintaining raised beds on the YMCA campus, harvesting and eating the produce. The program allows youth participants to experience the complete process of growing food, from planting to harvesting.  Through this unique opportunity, the United States Department of Agriculture/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA) funded, “Eradicating Food Deserts Through the Development of School Gardens” program,  youth are more active during summer months and the, “Plant it, Grow it, Try it, Like it,” concept is reinforced and encourages youth to try new, fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Weekly activities include basic garden maintenance, herb workshops, and preparing food from the garden such as refrigerator pickles.

For information about the SU Ag Center’s Community and School Garden Program, contact Dr. Tiffany Franklin, Project Director or Stephanie Elwood, Extension Associate-Community Gardens at 225-771-2242.                                           

###

http://www.suagcenter.com/

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter