Ideas, Programs & Curriculum for Leaders
Studies suggests that working with youth on a farm, in the garden or in a natural setting provides numerous benefits that include promoting curiosity and wonder, connecting youth to plants and soil, encouraging play, interpersonal skills, cognitive skills and improved nutrition and health. Increasing numbers of youth are losing contact with the natural world and it is impacting the amount of students who chose to study science and pursue careers in science-related fields that have significant contribution to North Carolina. Creating and implementing the programs you do can make big difference in developing a new generation of plant and soil geeks that respect and preserve our natural resources and agricultural heritage.
CURRICULUM
Studies suggests that working with youth on a farm, in the garden or in a natural setting provides numerous benefits that include promoting curiosity and wonder, connecting youth to plants and soil, encouraging play, interpersonal skills, cognitive skills and improved nutrition and health. Increasing numbers of youth are losing contact with the natural world and it is impacting the amount of students who chose to study science and pursue careers in science-related fields that have significant contribution to North Carolina. Creating and implementing the programs you do can make big difference in developing a new generation of plant and soil geeks that respect and preserve our natural resources and agricultural heritage.
CURRICULUM
Soil Solutions- Third Grade 4-H School Enrichment Curriculum
Correlated to the third grade science competencies in the NC Standard Course of Study. Eight engaging lessons can be utilized by teachers or volunteers working in schools to enrich student's conceptual understanding in the area of plant and soils.
Junior Master Gardener Program The Junior Master Gardener Program from Texas A&M brims with numerous fun, hands-on activities that can be utilized in a number of ways. From earning a JMG certification, to use in after-school activities, or implemented by schools, JMG offers a variety of topics in gardening.
4-H National Curriculum Nationally recognized curriculum available from the state 4-H office can be a greating starting point for explorations in natural resources, horticulture and crops.
Garden Curriculum This is a collection of great homegrown lessons and activities put together by myself and colleagues from around the state. Please send me (liz_driscoll@ncsu.edu) any lessons, projects that you have that others could benefit from. (coming soon)
TRAINING WORKSHOPS
Future Training Sessions in the planning stages... I hope to organize a number of training sessions in the 2008-2009 season. Sessions would include the Junior Master Gardener Program and the Horticulture Contest. I am always very willing to host other sessions/meetings to support the programs you are doing, just drop me a line at liz_driscoll@ncsu.edu.
New Agent Starter Packet Are you a new 4-H agent or program assistant and would like to find out what the skinny is on programs in crops, horticulture and soil science? Or maybe you have been holding off finding out why plants and soils are so cool, but have decided to take the plunge. Download a starter kit that includes information about all the opportunities available for 4-H youth as well as additional programs in crops, horticulture and soils you may want to implement in after-school programs, school enrichment, etc. (This is coming in the near future)
OPPORTUNITIES FOR 4-H YOUTH
4-H Horticulture Contest The Horticulture Contest takes place at State Congress in July. It consists of three part portions, a knowledge exam, testing what you know about horticulture, an identification test of flowering annuals, vegetables, woody shrubs and trees and indoor foliage plants, and a judging section that works your skills in determining plant quality. Winning teams are eligible to compete at a NJHA
4-H Presentations & Projects Presentations and projects give you the chance to explore stories about plants and soils that interest you! Stalk the elusive, parasitic piratebush, grow your own hobbit house, create a collection of soil crayons from across the state, the possibilities are limitless!
Youth Field Trips Every year, we will traipse to someplace new, discovering hidden gardens, foraging around a farm, mucking around in oozy bogs, finding out what crops, horticulture and soils are all about. Most years we will find out what mischief-making is happening in North Carolina, and occasionally we have the chance to visit an interesting spot rich in agricultural heritage.
4-H Youth Horticulture, Crops and Soils Conference The 4-H Youth Crops, Horticulture and Soils conference is an annual event beginning in 2008 that gathers young people from around the state to spend a weekend participating in workshops and games to find out in a fun way about plants and soils. More information to come!
Junior Master Gardener Program The Junior Master Gardener Program from Texas A&M brims with numerous fun, hands-on activities that can be utilized in a number of ways. From earning a JMG certification, to use in after-school activities, or implemented by schools, JMG offers a variety of topics in gardening.
4-H National Curriculum Nationally recognized curriculum available from the state 4-H office can be a greating starting point for explorations in natural resources, horticulture and crops.
Garden Curriculum This is a collection of great homegrown lessons and activities put together by myself and colleagues from around the state. Please send me (liz_driscoll@ncsu.edu) any lessons, projects that you have that others could benefit from. (coming soon)
TRAINING WORKSHOPS
Future Training Sessions in the planning stages... I hope to organize a number of training sessions in the 2008-2009 season. Sessions would include the Junior Master Gardener Program and the Horticulture Contest. I am always very willing to host other sessions/meetings to support the programs you are doing, just drop me a line at liz_driscoll@ncsu.edu.
New Agent Starter Packet Are you a new 4-H agent or program assistant and would like to find out what the skinny is on programs in crops, horticulture and soil science? Or maybe you have been holding off finding out why plants and soils are so cool, but have decided to take the plunge. Download a starter kit that includes information about all the opportunities available for 4-H youth as well as additional programs in crops, horticulture and soils you may want to implement in after-school programs, school enrichment, etc. (This is coming in the near future)
OPPORTUNITIES FOR 4-H YOUTH
4-H Horticulture Contest The Horticulture Contest takes place at State Congress in July. It consists of three part portions, a knowledge exam, testing what you know about horticulture, an identification test of flowering annuals, vegetables, woody shrubs and trees and indoor foliage plants, and a judging section that works your skills in determining plant quality. Winning teams are eligible to compete at a NJHA
4-H Presentations & Projects Presentations and projects give you the chance to explore stories about plants and soils that interest you! Stalk the elusive, parasitic piratebush, grow your own hobbit house, create a collection of soil crayons from across the state, the possibilities are limitless!
Youth Field Trips Every year, we will traipse to someplace new, discovering hidden gardens, foraging around a farm, mucking around in oozy bogs, finding out what crops, horticulture and soils are all about. Most years we will find out what mischief-making is happening in North Carolina, and occasionally we have the chance to visit an interesting spot rich in agricultural heritage.
4-H Youth Horticulture, Crops and Soils Conference The 4-H Youth Crops, Horticulture and Soils conference is an annual event beginning in 2008 that gathers young people from around the state to spend a weekend participating in workshops and games to find out in a fun way about plants and soils. More information to come!
