Our local newspaper had a front page article recently about something that really stirred my interest. Just a few miles down the road from Walla Walla is the little town of Dixie, WA. Each Tuesday afternoon after school a group of kids and parents open a mini farmers' market. The produce is the product of the Kids' Garden Club.The Kids' Garden Club started meeting in April. The young club members first learned basic gardening skills then they mapped out their own garden plots. The children were encouraged to try different varieties of vegetables but the final choice was theirs. They then planted and tended their gardens until the vegetables are ready to pick. Much of what is raised is used by the families and the excess is sold at the Kids' Garden Club Market. The young man pictured below told me he had raised some tomatoes but did not have any today because he had eaten them all. Could this also be a way to get kids to eat more vegetables?
The club has fifteen children from seven families. They range in age from two to fifteen. Everyone is not selling every week, it depends on what is ready for harvest so there will be different items each week and different kids selling. I was told the squash and pumpkins are almost ready and will be selling soon.
When I was there yesterday there were two tables of produce. This young man had some beautiful yellow zucchinis like the one he is holding. That one came home with me.
More about the kids tomorrow. And remember this Saturday is the Farmers' Market Challenge.
I'm taking part in Change the World Wednesday. Check out this week's Challenge.
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15 comments:
oh! I wish I lived near there so I could volunteer to work with these kids!! THAT is a great way to get kids to appreciate food and to learn that it can be better than chips and soda!! Keep us updated on this and I will see if there's something like it out here than I can lend my green thumb to since Lizzie's still in the eating dirt stage of gardening :) -kate
i too wish i was living nearby to your place.. i love bell peppers a lot! they are too huge but..
These kids are learning valuable life skills, and to look at them, they are active and motivated. Thanks for this wonderful story, Judy! I am impressed with them.
What a great project for the kids. I love buying produce from them. I think it's great to support this kind of program.
Ramona
I love the vegetable shots!
Awesome! Our First Lady would be impressed! It's great to get kids involved with gardening at such a young age. And yes, I believe if they grow it, they will eat it.
Its really great that kids get to love gardening, Teaches them respect for the environment. How fun to be young enough to grow along with your garden :) Happy WW
These vegetables are awesome. These children are not only learning valuable skills but also ideals.
This is a wonderful admirable project. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Ka Pai ( In Maori in New Zealand)aka great job to the kids. The veg were great, your photos are fantastic. In my school, we have an environmental club. My son plants his potatoes and tomatoes in summer.
What a fantastic program! I wish we have something like this in our area..Beautiful shots of the vegetables, Judy!
Looks like the kids did a great job. Even though I'm not a pepper fan, they sure looked fantastic :)
I love it, love it, love it!!!
That is great! I was sent to you by Splendid Little Stars, and I also participate in the CTWW challenges from Reduce Footprints. I love that these kids are involved in gardening and learning about commerce!
What a great idea for the kids! Not only do they get to learn about growing a garden, taking pride in their work, and learning the business portion, but also they get to love vegetables!
When I saw the first photo I sad WOW! I love vegetables very much and those eggplants and peppers look great! This is really a great project for children.
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