The 36th Judicial Circuit Juvenile Office in Poplar Bluff has a novel way to teach responsibility and new skills with its Youth Garden Program.
The project is funded by the Division of Youth Services Grant and includes several raised beds, a greenhouse, and the educational benefit of learning the gardening process.
The youth start the garden from seeds and nurture the plants until harvest.
“The program is designed to teach practical life skills including gardening, cooking, general responsibility, as well as monitoring the youth during the process,” Chief Juvenile Officer Sierra Elliott stated.
The youth gathered some of the first fruits of their labor Thursday amid the hot summer sun. The garden was neat and tidy with healthy plants abounding. Elliott said kids from the neighborhoods nearby will often visit the garden and receive some of the excess produce.
“I like it,” Landon McGee, one of the youth involved in the program, said.
He enjoys taking produce home to his grandparents and cooking them recipes he learned through the program. Elliott informed the garden project includes a cookbook and sessions teaching the youth how to cook.
A full-time employee implements the program as well as a contractor.
“They have been integral over the summer, working directly with the youth, teaching both gardening and life skills,” Elliott remarked.
Matt Rommel, another youth in the program, enjoys getting outside.
“It’s something to do to get out of the house,” he affirmed.
With the new greenhouse, the youth will have the opportunity to garden year-round.
“Participants gain a sense of pride and accomplishment by seeing the results of their hard work,” Elliott elaborated. “The youth express great satisfaction and pride in their work, often sharing their produce and new recipes with their families, demonstrating the program’s positive impact on their lives and well-being.”