The Junior Gardener program provides at minimum one (1) 10 x 10 (100 sq. ft.) plot free to any student in the River Valley School District in Grades 5 through 12. Students may grow vegetables or ornamental plants for their family, or for the local food pantry of their choice. They are encouraged to use their plots as a 4-H project, a scouting project or for local county fair entries, or entries for the River Valley School Fair.
Students participating in the program need to be old enough to understand that they must make a commitment to care for their plot and plants for the duration of the growing season. The recommended age is 10 and above. Exceptions may be made if the family is gardening with the Gardens.
Participants may purchase their own seeds and seedlings. but will have access to free seeds and seedlings donated to the gardens. They will also have access to tools such as trowels, shovels, rakes, whatever is needed to plant and care for a garden. Mentors shall be assigned to ensure that the students have a successful garden and learn gardening techniques.
Parent / Guardian Participation Students participating in the program need to have parental or guardian permission. Parent or guardian participation in the project is encouraged at minimum in a supervisory capacity. Students and their parents / guardians are encouraged to participate in any social or fund raising activities sponsored by the Gardens. All activities are family friendly.
Garden Regulations Before plots are planted students, parents / guardians must meet with the RVACG Registrar or attend the Gardens Spring Registration meeting to review the rules and the regulations of the Garden.
Mentors Mentors will be assigned to all youth gardeners if they want them. Mentors will guide the students in seed and seedling selection, soil preparation, planting, seedling identification, mulching and soil care, weeding and harvesting. Student gardeners may visit the garden as needed to care for their plants. Email Notifications / Garden Activities Student gardeners or parents / guardians will be added to the RVACG Garden email list so that they receive any Garden notices sent to the adult gardeners.
Who is contacted? Annual contacts may be made with youth groups or individuals in the area.
These groups include but are not limited to River Valley Middle School / River Valley High School / River Valley Elementary School Boy Scouts / Girl Scouts / Local 4H Clubs St. Johns School / St. Lukes School / Home School students and any students who express an interest in gardening to our Board members or one of Gardeners
Student Organization Plots
Local youth organizations may want to garden together as a service project to address food scarcity in the River Valley area. Please contact the RVACG directly through the Contact Us link or email us atinfo@rvacg.orgfor more information.