Delaware State Youth Proiect
2009-2010
Youth Chairman - Felise Cressman
The basis for this years' Youth Project will be the N.G.C. President's message: "Beautify Blight" and Delawares' President Alice Witterholt's Theme: "Sow the Seeds of Knowledge, Creativity and Environmental Stewardship"
Garden Clubs in Delaware are asked to select an organized youth group ( Girl Scouts, church group, school Ecology Club, pre-school group, neighborhood children, after school group. Etc.) and work with this group on a determined blighted area ( inner city area, school entryway, ugly neighborhood corner, traffic circle, etc) to develop a community garden site.
My Goal as the Youth Chairman is to get participation from 50% of our 28 State Garden Clubs. Photos and descriptions of your site both before and after are encouraged. Awards are to be made upon creativity, identification of plants, a guide to your area, and active participation by some members of your club. More details will come in the months to follow.
Put your thinking caps on and let's work with our Youth!
Felise Cressman ,Youth Chairman
Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs
Youth Programs 2009-2010
Youth Chairman-Felise Cressman
The Youth programs this year are:
1. Adopt-A-Seedling
2. Smokey Bear and Woodsey Owl Poster Contests
3. Poetry Contest-Theme: "Our Beautiful World"
4. Youth Essay Contest-Theme: "Respect the World Around US"
5. President's Project: "Beautify Blight"
Adopt-A-SeedlinR
Forms are available from Youth Chairman- Felise Cressman 302-375-6473
State Deadline: April 1st
Smokey Bear and Woodsey Owl
Only You Can Prevent Wildfires! Lend a Hand- Care for the Land!
State Deadline: January 15,2010
Rules: N.G.C. website
Poetry Contest
Our Beautiful World
State Deadline: December 15, 2009
Rules published in The National Gardener and on the N.G.C. website
Youth Essay Contest
Respect the World Around Us
State Deadline: December 15, 2009 Rules on N.G.C. website
Community Gardens
To enhance the total understanding of the Youth Project, it’s important to discuss Community Gardens. The dictionary definition of Community Garden is:
A single piece of land gardened collectively by a group of people
While most people think of food production as being central to Community gardens, it’s not necessary to have vegetables as the main focus. Restoration of natural areas, native plant gardens and art gardens are also popular. Community Gardens can combine several different planting elements such as herbs and flowers or vegetables, flowers and folk art. These gardens can be enclosed plots, raised beds, a traffic island or even pots. However the key elements must be #1. Land ( or a place to grow something) #2 plantings #3 gardeners and #4 some sort of organizing arrangements and specifically the Youth must be involved.
