DATE: 4/1/05

CONTACT: Margie S. Sippel, (803) 684-9919

WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741

Master Gardeners teach school children about vegetable gardening

ROCK HILL – Many school-age children believe that vegetables come from the grocery store. They have never had a garden at home.

A parent of a student at Rock Hill Elementary School in Rock Hill contacted York County 4-H Agent Margie Sippel about providing that garden experience for children in the fourth grade. 

Sippel developed a plan to establish 4-H clubs that would meet twice monthly during the school day for one hour.  Each class would have their own small vegetable garden.  The club meetings would be taught by Master Gardeners (MG).  The students would spend one meeting working in the vegetable garden and the other in the classroom learning about gardening. 

The students plant and harvest both fall and spring gardens.  They learn about soils, plant selection and spacing. They taste new vegetables and tend worm composting projects in their classrooms.   

“It’s easier to get the kids to try vegetables when they grow their own,” said Sippel.  “Leaning to eat vegetables and including them in your daily diet is an important step to a healthy diet.”

The MG’s have been teaching students for six years about vegetable gardening and approximately 528 fourth graders have learned about gardening through 4-H. 

“I would like to thank the following Master Gardeners for their hard work and dedication to this project: Brown Simpson, Halle Russell, Dennis Findley, Jane Nunn, Pat Harrell and Patty LeRoy,” said Sippel.

A lesson on the value of eating fruits and vegetables is part of the year’s curriculum.  Independence was just named one of the Palmetto’s Finest, recognition as one of the top elementary schools in the state. 

“We are pleased that 4-H and gardening are part of their school enrichment plan,” said Sippel. 

Another school in the Rock Hill School District is planning a similar program for their third grade students for the next school year.  

For more information about starting a garden at your school, contact Sippel at (803) 684-9919 or msippel@clemson.edu.

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