OSU Extension teams with youth groups for service day

OSU Extension, in collaboration with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus and Medary Elementary School, will host a “Seeds of Change” garden project as part of National Youth Service Day (NYSD).

The project will take place from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday (4/15) at Medary Elementary School, 2500 Medary Ave. (at Hudson St.). The youth will plant a flower garden plot, an herb garden plot (in the shape of 4-H) and a vegetable garden plot. The project will enable children and adults to grow food and flowers and donate some of the vegetables to the local food pantry. Young gardeners will include 40 to 50 children who attend the after-school program at Medary, and the 15 young people in the University District “Greenclover” 4-H club.

The program begins with a welcome ceremony featuring Franklin County Commissioner Dewey Stokes at 3:30 p.m. Planting will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. Youth will return to the school for activities from 5-6:30 p.m.

The garden project is made possible through charitable gifts and grants. Lowe’s has pledged $200 in tools and supplies for the project, and Livingston Seed will donate seeds. In addition, OSU Extension received two grants to fund the project. It was one of 75 socially conscious organizations selected to receive a $500 DisneyHand Minnie Grant in support of the NYSD. The grant, which is funded by Disney, will enable participants to share their experiences with gardening and healthy nutrition with their peers, parents and others in the community. A second grant made possible through special funding from Gov. Bob Taft, enables 4-H Afterschool Projects focusing on Healthy Lifestyles and Plant Science.

OSU Extension has been working with area schools to integrate 4-H youth development curricula into after-school programs such as the one at Medary. 4-H volunteers have been meeting regularly with children in the 3rd and 4th grades during after school hours in a club called 4-H E.A.R.T.H (Environmental Activities Research Theme Hour), teaching them about the importance of gardening and proper nutrition.

WHAT: University District youth will plant ldquo;Seeds of Change” garden project

WHEN: From 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Welcome ceremony is 3:30-4 p.m.
Planting will take place from 4-5 p.m.

WHERE: Medary Elementary School, 2500 Medary Avenue (at Hudson St.)