ND Western 4-H Camp SARE Garden

ND Western 4-H Camp SARE Garden

Summary

WORK ACTIVITIES

a)      In September 2012 we requested funds to begin the project. Our fall activity primarily consisted of analyzing the garden plot, fencing the area and planting cover crops. We discovered that the soil is very heavy clay soil. The cover crops should help but we will need to add some amendments to make a better plot for growing vegetables. We fenced out the area to keep out the deer.

b)      I have contacted a local grade school teacher and she is willing to have me come into the classroom and visit with the students about gardening and nutrition. We will have the student grow vegetables using grow lights and then have the students transplant peas, beans and pumpkins into our garden.

c)      I have asked our county 4-H ambassadors to help us plant the garden when spring arrives.

d)     Irene Graves is in the process of getting outdoor and indoor posters developed on soil health and the soil cycle. We will post these at the garden site for educational sessions with our 4-H campers. I am also getting posters on composting and nutrition to put in our main lodge at camp. Posters on integrated pest management will also be developed.

OUTREACH

a)      In November 2012, I gave a PowerPoint presentation to NDSU Extension Educators and Research Specialists about our SARE Youth Educator Grant. I explained the goals of our 4-H camp garden project and answered questions on the grant process. There were 13 staff people in attendance.

b)      On September 5 during Livestock In-service an informal tour of the plots occurred.   The group of 8 discussed development and educational use of the gardens.   They felt the garden being near the Camp was an asset for both.

c)      Pictures of the plot were compared to the growth of cover crop plots in other areas of the county.

WORK PLAN FOR 2013

The bulk of our project will be conducted this spring and summer (2012).

April

• Work with Kindergarten classroom to educate students about gardening and nutrition. Students will plant seeds in containers and use grow lights to germinate them. Once the seeds have developed the students will transplant them into our garden plot in May before school is out. Students will also make grow cards to give as gifts for Mother’s Day.
• Make sure posters are laminated and placed at the camp.
• Purchase composing bin.

May

• Take soil samples. Amend the soil in a portion of the garden to make comparisons with the no-till area.
• Put straw down for planting potato crop.
• Train counselors on how to give educational tour of the garden plot to each group of campers. Train counselors on how to compost kitchen scraps.
• Schedule field trip to Duke Gardens for students to tour the greenhouse and transplant seeds.
• Set up watering system at the garden site.
• Plant the garden.

June, July

• Maintain the garden plot
• Pick produce to serve in the camp kitchen.
• Conduct educational sessions with campers on composting, benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, the importance of soil health, the water cycle, and integrated pest management.
• Have counselors take photos and videos of youth working in the garden, composting, and preparing garden produce. The photos will be posted on the 4-H Facebook page and other sites, such as U-Tube.

August

• Set up a day camp for local families to attend.
• Harvest garden produce.
• Teach food preservation techniques to adults/youth and have them use those techniques to preserve the vegetables.
• Donate garden produce to local food pantry.

September

• Clean up garden site and prepare bed for future planting.
• Repair any fencing or tools that may have been damaged.
• Clean out compost bin and store for future use.
• Analyze educational program and posters used for the project. Make changes as necessary.