Youth in the 4-H Horticulture Project learn the science behind plant life, from soil science and water quality to botany and ecology. Youth may also decide to connect their horticulture project to other project areas, such as entomology, gardening, forestry, or environmental sciences.
Objectives
Youth will:
- Learn about different kinds of seeds
- Explore plant growth and lifecycles
- Learn basic botanical and horticultural principles
- Discover the role of plants in ecosystems and food chains
- Use the scientific process when creating experiments and demonstrations
4-H Horticulture Curriculum
Available through the Extension office or online.
Soilless Growing Systems: A Hydroponics Curriculum – Student Guide
Youth will learn how to grow plants without soil, how the hydroponics industry has developed, the most common types of soilless growing systems, and advanced plant nutrition. Included also are activities related to conservation and limited resources and comparing and contrasting soil-based and soilless growing systems.
Soilless Growing Systems: A Hydroponics Curriculum – Leader Guide
Youth will learn how to grow plants without soil, how the hydroponics industry has developed, the most common types of soilless growing systems, and advanced plant nutrition. Included also are activities related to conservation and limited resources and comparing and contrasting soil-based and soilless growing systems. A purchase of the Leader Guide comes with a download of the PowerPoint training slides that may be used as part of instruction.
Exploring the World of Plants & Soils Project Book 1: It’s More Than Just Dirt
The Exploring the World of Plants and Soils: It’s More Than Just Dirt looks at environmental and internal factors that affect plant growth. Youth aged 12-14 will enjoy the activities that have them explore plants and soils, learn about gardening and the natural world, and stewardship towards the earth and environmental decision making. It’s More Than Just Dirt is the first of three project books.
Exploring the World of Plants & Soils Project Book 2: Stems & Stamens
The Exploring the World of Plants and Soils: Stems & Stamens looks at the composition of plants, the functions of individual plant parts, plant life cycles, and the many ways plants reproduce themselves. Youth aged 12-14 will enjoy the activities that have them explore plants and soils, learn about gardening and the natural world, and stewardship towards the earth and environmental decision making. Stems & Stamens is the second of three project books.
Exploring the World of Plants & Soils Project Book 3: Sprouting Out & Growing Up
The Exploring the World of Plants and Soils: Sprouting Out and Growing Up looks at environmental and internal factors that affect plant growth. Youth aged 12-14 will enjoy the activities that have them explore plants and soils, learn about gardening and the natural world, and stewardship towards the earth and environmental decision making. Sprouting Out and Growing Up is the third of three project books.
Soil to Seed is designed to cultivate high school aged-youth in understanding the principles of erosion and sediment control. The curriculum begins with the fundamental mechanics behind erosion and sedimentation, then teaches students how to assess physical spaces for evidence of these processes, and eventually builds their knowledge base of how to manage and control soil loss and deposition.
4-H Soil and Water Science, Level 1 Digital Download
The 4-H Soil and Water Science curriculum is for youth who enjoy learning about science and two important natural resources: soil and water. Level 1 introduces basic terms and concepts. Activities focus on understanding important soil and water processes.
4-H Soil and Water Science, Level 2 Digital Download
Level 2 activities help you put the basic concepts into action to understand more advanced soil and water concepts and interactions with the environment.
4-H Soil and Water Science, Level 3 Digital Download
Level 3 activities are divided into chapters based on how you might use the information you have learned — as a homeowner, resident of a watershed, food and fiber producer (farmer), mayor, teacher, or legislator. Level 3 delves deeper into soil and water science concepts and can prepare you to be well informed and to study these topics at a college or university.
Soil and Water Science Facilitator’s Guide Digital Download
This Soil and Water Science Facilitator’s Guide answers the questions in the youth guides and suggests ways to facilitate the activities. It also gives additional information about working with youth, for those who wish to learn more. This guide supports all three Soil and Water Science levels.
Washington 4-H Records, Forms, and Guides
For youth members
Coming soon!
For adult helpers and club leaders
Coming soon!
Helpful Resources
Activity Ideas
Parts of a Plant – 4-H at Home (YouTube video)
Learn about the parts of a plant with this lesson from Purdue University!
4-H Friday Fun! Seed Germination – The University of Maine (YouTube video)
4-H Friday Fun! is a series of at-home activities for parents and kids. In this video, join Zabet NeuCollins as she explains and explores seed germination and experiments with seed germination with items that can be found around the house.
The PDF instructions and data collection chart are available through the University of Maine Cooperative Extension website.
Hanging Mini-Greenhouses – University of Minnesota Extension
In this lesson, youth learn about the plant-growing process and the benefits of home gardening by planting herb seeds in a hanging greenhouse they make out of a two-liter bottle.
Microgreens Growing Guide – University of Minnesota Extension
Learn to grow microgreens for a fun, tasty, healthful treat! This guide provides all the information you need to grow and enjoy your first crop of microgreens.
Washington Specific Reference Material
Yakima County 4-H Gardening Project
Yakima County 4-H Entomology Project
Yakima County Environmental Stewardship Project Areas
Other Reference Material
From 4-H Programs
Innovations in Aquaculture – Maine 4-H
The “Innovations in Aquaculture” 4-H Science Toolkit was developed to introduce youth to the field of aquaculture, and the science and engineering practices involved in growing aquaculture species. The activities range from the importance of aquaculture as a way of meeting the seafood demands of the future, to exploring how aquaculture operations can be beneficial as erosion control methods if carefully designed and engineered. Activities are appropriate for youth in 6th – 8th grades. The Innovations in Aquaculture toolkit, developed in partnership with Maine EPSCoR, is based on the National Science Foundation supported SEANET (Sustainable Ecological Aquaculture Network) program.
From Higher Education Institutions
From Related Organizations, Journals, and Professionals
What makes soil healthy? What methods might farmers use to maintain healthy soil?
“Soil” doesn’t just mean “dirt.” It is a mixture of minerals like rocks and clay, organic material like dead leaves, living organisms like worms, microbes, and insects, and even air and water. There is an entire world beneath your feet! Soil quality is important because it helps to sustain an ecosystem responsible for our food and fiber needs, environmental quality, and human health.
- Kits, Projects, and Activities from National 4-H
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Beginner and advanced gardeners alike will understand the importance of testing their soil to ensure their plants have the best chance of flourishing. This Soil Master Kit contains 10 tests each for pH, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus – the key components of quality soil.
40 tests help identify the chemical composition of soil deficiencies which harm plant growth and survival
Includes a gardening guide with helpful hints, sources for additional information, and easy-to-follow illustrated directions
Prime testing times: Spring (garden/flower beds), Summer (indoor plants), Fall (lawns)Plant some seeds of knowledge about the lifecycle of vegetation! Through this activity, kids will learn about the life cycle of a plant, discovering what plants need to survive. They will also learn about innovative gardens that don’t require going outside. This activity showcases how agriculture and science go hand-in-hand.
The activity was developed by the 4‑H Youth in Action Awards Agriculture Pillar winner, Serena Woodard. A free Clover account is required to access lesson plans.