#juniorfarmers

[philaparkandrec]

Junior Farmers learn & grow with FarmPhilly kids’ program

All across the city kids have been learning about plants and wildlife through the Junior Farmers program of Parks & Rec’s Farm Philly.

This season kids have:

planted gardens

harvested fruits and vegetables

learned about food and the natural world

The fall is usually time to wrap things up for the year. But at Simpson Rec Center, we've been busy planting a small orchard!

Parks & Rec's TreePhilly provided one peach and two pawpaw trees. Youth from the site's afterschool program had a fantastic planting day.

During the planting, kids learned about the benefits of trees and how to care for them. We also talked about how the pawpaw trees were a part of the natural landscape in Philadelphia hundreds of years ago.  

Above: pawpaw fruit on tree, and cut open.

The pawpaw tree produces the largest edible fruit native to North America. The flavor of pawpaw fruit is often compared to bananas, but with hints of mango, vanilla, and citrus.

While it may take several years, we are all looking forward to our trees bearing fruit!

[philaparkandrec]

Junior Farmers: teaching the joy of gardening

by Ilana Grubin, Junior Farmer Trainer, FarmPhilly program

Junior Farmers brings the joy of growing food to Philadelphia youth ages 2-12 years!

Now in its seventh year, the program has created small vegetable gardens at various recreation centers. In these raised beds, we're growing broccoli, kale, beans, carrots, tomatoes, cucumbers, and more.

Lately, we've been busy working with participants in Parks & Rec's many summer camps. Three Junior Farmers staff members provide weekly programming during summer camp season. 

Through hands-on experiences, the program:

teaches children to grow food on their own

shows youth how to take care of the natural environment

gives kids the option to try the different foods.

For some youth, this is their first exposure to food that is not highly processed.

This year, we're also piloting a new Climate Change curriculum. This is a collaboration between Parks & Rec, Awbury Arboretum, and Penn State Extension. Through indoor and outdoor science activities, we're showing kids the effects of climate change. They're learning what that might mean for our planet. At the end of our 6-week curriculum, kids can become Earth Heroes!

[philaparkandrec]

Simpson Recreation Center Garden Club Heads Outside

With a cold April, the garden club at Simpson Rec Center had to remain inside. But May came and the weather improved, so we opened the garden. There’s a lot to be done!  

Thanks to help from the Junior Farmers program and Ellen Russell, a community volunteer, we now see improvements.

[philaparkandrec]

Junior Farmers Find Their Paths to The Oval

In late July, Youth Growers from all over the city gathered at The Oval on a sunny Friday afternoon to celebrate their hard work and enjoy the literal fruits of their labor. Junior Farmers from 8th and Diamond Playground in North Philly, accompanied by Garden Educator Sarah Morris, represented Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s youth urban agriculture programming.

There was music, there was dancing, and of course, fresh veggies for sale! The 8th and Diamond Junior Farmers may have been the youngest vendors in the crowd of high school students, but they made up for it in enthusiasm and sheer cuteness. The “beats” quickly sold out, along with some okra. The kids took charge of pricing their items, making signs, and giving change to customers. They also got to visit other booths, including one which handed out pedometers. Highest step count in the group quickly became a much sought-after title. Mouse melons and ground cherries, available for tasting, mysteriously disappeared—it seems as though certain Junior Farmers really enjoyed their unique tastes. “This is what they make Hot Cheetos out of!” said one 8th and Diamond camper, referring to the red hot peppers they grew. At the end of the day, with profits to go towards the garden for next year and bags of fresh tomatoes and flowers to take home, the festival was a rousing success.