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For two Saturdays in February, a group of Mercer County 3rd-4th graders – “Ag-Venturers” – spent their mornings learning about the natural world. Activities & crafts from the Junior Master Gardener Handbook, developed by Texas Agricultural Extension Service, were used by Justine of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR), a 4-H staff member and a Rutgers Master Gardener volunteer, to lead the participants in their hands-on learning experience!
Ag-Venturers made “plant people” out of recycled soda cans, planted a bean in a bag, sowed winter native plants, learned about the parts of a plant and what plants need to survive and finally, they planned their future gardens! Youth also learned about the insects we see in our daily lives, and how to use the stereoscope to identify an insect. They were SO good at it; I do think there are some future entomologists in the group! At the end of the learning and crafts portion, we made a snack, reviewing the different plant parts we combined for a tasty salad lunch!
The 4-H Winter Series is held January through March at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County building in Ewing. Classes also included sewing a tote bag and creating a miniature room that was complete with battery-powered lighting!
To learn more about other exciting 4-H programs, including 4-H camps and clubs, Please visit the Mercer County 4-H website or email Altaira Bejgrowicz at bejgrowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu.
