MENDOTA, Ill.- Five fifth-grade classes at Northbrook School in Mendota recently participated in Seeds to Harvest, a youth gardening program led by the University of Illinois Extension 4-H and Master Gardeners program. This six-week program introduced students to gardening and plant science through classroom instruction and outdoor activities.
With support from the Mary M. Chinn Charitable Corporation, the program provided all supplies and helped establish a connection with the school. Bob Chinn, founder of the foundation and an Illinois Extension Master Naturalist volunteer, played an active role throughout the program. Inspired by his late wife Mary’s commitment to helping others, Bob brought resources and encouragement to the students. One student shared, “I will remember Bob the most. He was always so nice and helpful.”
Throughout the program, students learned about planting techniques, weed and vegetable identification, soil composition, and beneficial and non-beneficial insects. They planted vegetables such as lettuce, radishes, onions, spinach, beets, and peas. The program included a salad bar featuring the produce they had grown.
“I loved when we planted the plants in the garden outside,” one student said. Another added, “it’s cool to eat the plants you grew.”
As a part of the youth gardening program, the fifth graders learned responsibility, teamwork, and other life skills that will help them grow up to be compassionate and competent citizens. Seeds to Harvest is just one of many educational experiences offered through the University of Illinois Extension’s 4-H youth development program. 4-H provides hands-on learning opportunities that help youth grow into confident, capable, and caring individuals. To learn more about 4-H opportunities, call University of Illinois Extension at 217-244-5812 or email Shasta Hladovcak at shlad@illinois.edu.
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.