Spring is finally here, and much more than sprouts are popping up in the Greenwood-Leflore Recycling Center’s gardens.
A free gardening class — open to area fourth through sixth graders — is set to kick off on April 2, a week from Wednesday.
Students in the class will get their hands dirty learning about the soil, garden plants and critters, nutrition and gardening techniques.
Teachers for the class are looking for students interested in the eight week course, which meets Wednesdays from 3:30 to 5 p.m.
In addition to students, they’re also seeking volunteer interns to help tend to the garden and teach the class.
Robin Whitfield, an artist who’s co-teaching this spring’s class, said interns could be anywhere from teenagers to retirees. The main qualifications, she said, are to be enthusiastic and have an interest in gardening.
The class, taught every fall and spring, is offered by ArtPlace Mississippi, a Greenwood-based nonprofit, with financial support from the city of Greenwood.
Whitfield said the program is a fun way to get into the soil and learn more about where fruit and vegetables come from.
“It’s very hands-on. It’s not a sit-and-listen kind of class,” Whitfield said. “I’ve always loved gardening, but I’ve learned so much more about it from teaching this class, especially from kids asking interesting questions.”
Whitfield will be joined in the garden this spring by fellow instructor James Tolleson, a service member of Food Corps, a national nonprofit focused on connecting children with quality food.
Tolleson said the afterschool gardening program has been a great way to reach out to kids and teach them about where food comes from.
“It’s great to be outside after school. It’s a time for kids to unwind a bit. I think the students really enjoy it,” Tolleson said. “It’s a great opportunity for kids interested in these topics to gain some hands-on experience to take back to their schools and their families.”
As part of Food Corps, Tolleson has been spending the past year developing garden programs at Threadgill Elementary and Greenwood Middle School.
At the two schools, Tolleson said students already have some plants sprouting in starter trays and are busy mixing the soil to lay in several raised beds built at other schools over the winter.
Tolleson said that, between the recycling center’s gardening program and his work in the schools, he’s trying to connect with kids to combat obesity and other diet-related diseases by teaching students about fresh, nutritious food.
“We’re trying to target the younger generation, make it something fun that really captures their attention,” Tolleson said.
The gardening class is free to any interested students but is capped at 12 participants, so advanced registration is encouraged.
To sign up, contact ArtPlace Mississippi at 455-2864 or email Whitfield at rjwhitfield@gmail.com.
• Contact Bryn Stole at 581-7235 or bstole@gwcommonwealth.com.
