Portage Times

4-H Project Green Teacher, a school gardening series for educators, Master Gardener Volunteers, and others interested in school gardening, will return to The Ohio State University Columbus campus June 6–10.

The series is designed for those who would like to use gardening as a context for learning with youth, meet resource personnel, and boost their confidence as a garden educator while also providing an opportunity to network with others who are interested in school gardening.

“Research has shown that gardening with youth has significant impacts including higher test scores, increased love of learning, better nutrition, and teamwork skills,” said Sue Hogan, Ohio 4-H youth development educator with Ohio State University Extension-Franklin County.

The Extension-sponsored series will be hybrid this year, and participants can partake either virtually for $25, or in person for $40. Master Gardener Volunteers will enjoy a reduced registration of $10 for either virtual or in-person attendance.

The in-person location will be at the Kunz-Brundige Franklin County Extension Building, 2548 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210.

The program will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily, depending upon attendance option. Online participant sessions will end at 2:15 p.m., while in-person participants will take part in daily outdoor activities at the Waterman Agricultural and Natural Resources Laboratory from 2:30–3:30 p.m.

Session topics will include:

• how to start a school garden.
• how to engage administrators, colleagues, the community, etc.
• understanding soils.
• site selection.
• behavior management.
• bees and native pollinators.
• season extension.
• hydroponics and aquaponics.
• integrated pest management.
• plant health.
• chickens.
• celebrating the harvest.
• farm-to-school connections.
• evaluating your school garden.

Presenters will come from a variety of backgrounds and will include classroom teachers and OSU Extension personnel. The series will culminate with a 4-H Project Green Teacher certificate and the opportunity to earn up to 20 contact hours depending on attendance.

“Come join others who are engaged in the school garden movement by becoming a Project Green Teacher,” Hogan said. “Help us to make school gardening a solid part of the culture in Ohio.”

Registration deadline is Wednesday, June 1. For more information and to view the schedule, go to the registration site at go.osu.edu/pgtsu22 or contact Sue Hogan at hogan.239@osu.edu.

Original source can be found here