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Youth gardening in Grant & Adams Counties

The Grant-Adams Master Gardeners offer a youth gardening program that allows children to experience the wonders of this rewarding hobby firsthand. While building essential knowledge, these programs primarily aim to cultivate a lifelong love for the art of gardening. Nurture the gardeners of tomorrow by immersing them in the enriching experience today.

Activities vary depending on the needs of the communities we serve.
In the past with the cooperation of the Grant County Housing Authority, a no-till community vegetable garden started by Master Gardeners at Doolittle Park in Moses Lake was used as a teaching area for Cub Scout and Girl Scout troops and as a giving garden for the residents of the housing authority, with extra produce donated to the Food Bank.
Talks have been given to the City of Moses Lake summer youth on gardening, at community gardens, and, through the Community Schools program in Othello, A winter sowing event held by Master Gardeners in Othello is popular.

Master Gardener and two youths in a winter sowing activity
Winter Sowing Activity in Othello

Partnering with the Columbia Basin Job Corps has been beneficial for both the Master Gardeners and Corps students. A tree planting activity on the campus and growing vegetables for the dining hall are some of the activities that have occurred with more cooperation in the planning stage

Judging fruits, vegetables, and herbs has taken place for both youth and adults, and the 4-H program at county fairs for many years.  Other efforts, like the Soil Your Undies campaign, were activities that provided children in the 4-H program with a thought-provoking, hands-on experience.

Soil Your Undies results: decomposed underwear on display at the Grant County Fair

The WSU Master Gardener Program addresses important sociological and environmental issues by teaching research-based horticulture information. We want people to have important skills and abilities that help mitigate challenges and to understand that everyone has a role to play in creating and sustaining healthy and resilient communities.