Last fall Restore Farms launched a paid, part-time student internship program for seventh through 12th graders. Students, chosen primarily from the surrounding neighborhoods, are sometimes at-risk for dropping out of school to help support their families. Interns work year-round, learning through hands-on activities about all aspects of gardening at the farm while receiving a diverse education in running a successful business. Interns who stay with the program through high school are offered college scholarships through Langston University. 5 Community gardens promote sustainability. Sustainability is the concept of considering our impact on the environment for our generation and generations to come. Organic gardening is gardening without syn- thetic fertilizers or pesticides with the overall goal of maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Es- tablishing a community or backyard garden ensures healthy local food choices. Children exposed to community gardens learn from experienced gardeners how composting,
JOHN REX STUDENTS IDENTIFY PLANT SPECIES IN THE MYRIAD GARDENS.
water conservation and other smart gardening practices can have a positive environmental impact. And then, many of these same practices can be adopted at home. Maintaining and preserving our precious natural resources is a goal every child can embrace. Community gardens abound in the Oklahoma City metro, ideal for your family to reap these rewards, enjoy fresh air and make new friends. Learn more about the current policies, programming and
volunteer opportunities through Restore OKC at restoreokc.org, Myriad Gardens at oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com and SixTwelve at sixtwelve.org. Editor’s note: This is the second in a three- part series exploring the world of gardening with children. Debbi Marshall is a master gardener, retired U.S. probation officer and Grammie to three rambunctious, pint-sized gardeners.
It’s not just what they know. It’s who they become.
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