Indiana FSA Educates Jr. Master Gardeners Through People’s Garden Initiative

The Newton County Farm Service Agency in Morocco, Ind., expanded its People’s Garden this year to include three plots that were tended by elementary school children. Last week, the group of third and fourth graders who completed the Junior Master Gardener program held a brunch with dishes made with produce grew and harvested from the garden. During the brunch, the youths offered presentations on what they learned this year and spoke on their favorite vegetable, good bugs and bad bugs and the potato bag project (growing potatoes in a garbage bag). The program required the kids to meet once a week and learn about soil, insects and pests. They were also introduced to foods they may not eat and they were taught to prepare a dish with one of the harvested crops. The Purdue Cooperative Extension partnered with FSA to begin planting the gardens that are located at the Newton County Courthouse annex building and the Morocco Methodist Church. About 10 companies and individuals donated supplies.