The Youth Activity Committee (YAC) is a team of certified Master Gardeners dedicated to providing educational programs to the community. It provides events and hands-on activities combined with horticulture information, the Junior Master Gardener (JMG) program (a 4-H youth development program) and its related curriculum. We seek to “promote a love of gardening, develop an appreciation for the environment, and cultivate the mind” using both individual and group activities.
These activities are creative, well-researched, horticulturally beneficial, and readily available to the Fort Bend County community. They have been used by a wide range of people and organizations. JMG is a treasure trove of practical gardening activities, its applications seem limitless.
JMG provides many ideas for almost any group wanting a hands-on nature-based fun and educational program, including: schools (public, private or home-based), church groups, 4-H clubs, Scout troops, and community-based events. These programs include gardening projects, community events, classroom or group presentations, summer camp activities and many other categories beneficial to area youth and their families.
I WANT YOU FOR JMG!
For information regarding YAC and the Junior Master Gardener program:
Email: FortBendMG@ag.tamu.edu
Hotline Phone: 281-633-7068
YAC Contact: Ginny Grant
For information about the National Junior Master Gardener program, visit jmgkids.us.
Recent Activities
YAC GOES EVERYWHERE
In June, the Youth Activity Committee (YAC) was busy!
In mid-June, YAC hosted a Junior Master Gardener Teacher/Leader Orientation session for 18 teachers, home school group leaders, and several Waller County Master Gardeners. The day-long session introduced the JMG program, including the Learn, Grow, Eat and Go curriculum. Multiple hands-on activities were included and everyone received a take-home bag of educational materials. The session was coordinated with Fort Bend County 4-H. The national Junior Master Gardeners and TEA Region 4 certified the session for Continuing Education Credits.
Later in the month, YAC visited the WIDE School in Missouri City, to present a JMG activity about recycling and growing plants. Approximately 80 Pre-K and Kindergarten students and their teachers participated. The children learned that using newspaper instead of purchasing starter pots kept the paper out of the landfill and saved money, too. The YAC team has provided a number of classroom programs at this school for the Pre-K to 8th grade students.
After learning about recycling and growing plants, the children now know what plants need to grow—sunlight, water and nutrients and when it is time to transplant. Using a small wooden roller and newspaper, each child made a starter pot and planted bush-type green bean seeds so they could have an individual plant to care for at home as well as making some for the school’s teaching garden. After the potting was finished, the children sketched what they imagine their plant will look like when it sprouts and is ready to transplant.
Near the end of June, YAC participated at the first Rosenberg Non-Profit Expo. Rosenberg Development Corp. created the event to provide information to area residents about the services offered by area non-profit groups. The session was well attended and YAC and 4-H programs were shared with interested visitors and other non-profit associations.
The Youth Activities Committee provides JMG educational outreach programs to schools (public, private and home school), school and community gardens, Scouts, daycares, YMCA and other organizations throughout Fort Bend County several times a month. All activities are age-appropriate and include some type of hands-on activity and educational component.
Stay tuned for information about the Earth-Kind® Kids Kamp coming summer 2020.