News : Benton County Extension hopes to help future gardeners to gain a green thumb

A project which began in 2010 is still continuing today...and it all began because of a flood

Following the flood of 2008, the city of Vinton lost homes near the river's edge in Vinton. A few homes along second street that were so badly damaged that they were eventually torn down and the lots empty. In 2010, with the help of the Vinton Parks and Recreation Department and Americorp, the empty lots began producing. By turning some of that floodplain into community garden space, kids and area residents learned to grow their own food.

The Benton County Extension hopes to continue to do that by helping future gardeners to gain a green thumb through practice. The Extension will be meeting in the 300 block of 2nd St. in Vinton, on May 27th, all day. 

The gardens welcome all ages to participate in helping them to produce delicious food to share with their families. The purpose of the garden is to encourage better health habits for youth. Through teaching planting, caring and harvesting their own plants and seeds, they will learn to nurture, harvest, cook and taste a variety of fruits and vegetables. The gardens will sneak in a bit of outdoor activity for children to enjoy while adding in a healthy dose of Vitamin D, improve their mood, and a bit of exercise to their day!

The Extension said that other benefits to children will include:

-Learning responsibility

-How to work with others

-Good work ethic

-Taking directions

-Management skills

-Connect with Nature

-Fun with friends

-Be creative

-Marketing skills

-Experience success and failure

Past gardeners have said that:

"The watermelon seed spitting contest are fun!"

"I learn how to plant, pick and more. It is a lot of fun!"

"I like planting and sharing with grandma!"

"I love eating watermelon and making zucchini bread!"

"I got to catch a garter snake!"

"I don't like tomatoes because mom makes me can them!"

For more information, contact the Benton County Extension Office at 319-472-4739