Outdoor Educational Programming

Published: 2020
By Kaleena Miller

COVID-19 brought with it some unique challenges to deliver hands-on educational programming in our communities. After several creative planning sessions with community partners, we moved forward with a few outdoor educational events. In June, we held a 4-H Garden Workshop in an outdoor pavilion where youth learned about soil texture, composting, seed starting, and harvesting greens. We introduced microgreens, highlighting their flavor profiles and nutritional benefits. To conclude our workshop, youth participated in a taste test, trying two types of pea shoot microgreens and dandelion jelly. The results: overwhelmingly positive. In August, 20 residents from four communities gathered in Whitehall for a walking, tree pruning tour. MSU Extension Forestry Specialist Peter Kolb, PhD, led folks through a socially distanced, interactive workshop, covering essential tools, proper tree care, and various pruning techniques. Attendees left the workshop better equipped to tackle pruning needs on their own properties. In September, we teamed with the Ruby Valley Conservation District, presenting to Twin Bridges third and fourth grade classes as part of the annual Kids River Resource Day. Our gardening lesson looked a little different as we started the talk with a hand sanitizing station. After sprinkling some colored dye on the kids hands and highlighting the ’fake germs’ with a blacklight, students compared the effectiveness of different brands of hand sanitizer in addition to comparing a hand-washing station equipped with soap and warm water. After everyone was properly sanitized, we brought out the compost bin and plant propagation demonstrations. Each student went home with a small plant to care for and watch grow during the winter months.