York County Kids Can Grow Program History.

"Kids Can Grow!"
York County Youth Gardening Program

Many York County children are 3-4 generations removed from the farm. Their food and their relationship with the earth replaced by spending more and more time with technology and related games and videos. In 1999 UMCE staff and Master Gardener Volunteers in York County developed the “Kids Can Grow” 4-H youth gardening program. Through this five-month comprehensive gardening and nutrition program for children ages 7 – 12, youth learn how to grow nutritious vegetables, herbs, and beautiful flowers for their families in their own 3 x 5 foot raised-bed gardens at home using intensive square foot gardening techniques. Each child has a Master Gardener Volunteer as a mentor to assist, inspire and help them overcome any obstacles in their gardening experiences.

Since it began in 1999, the Kids Can Grow program has launched 155 brand new gardeners in York County. It is the brainchild of Frank Wertheim, Extension Educator for the University of Maine Cooperative Extension in York County. He explains, “We are working together as a real community team with Extension Staff, 4-H Leaders, Master Gardener Volunteers, and various businesses to develop this program to get children excited about the world of plants while growing their own food at home”. Starting with 17 children, word has spread and the program has grown expanding also into other Maine counties and has been adapted in South Carolina, Oregon, and New York. Variations of Kids Can Grow have been replicated in Aroostook and Cumberland Counties in Maine, and in New York, South Carolina and Oregon through Master Gardener and 4-H programs.

Since 1999, 150 York County youth have completed the Kids Can Grow 4-H program. Surveys conducted after the program indicated 100% of participants grew and consumed fresh vegetables and herbs for their families for the first time; 70% of parents indicated a rise in the children’s self-esteem; and 80% indicated an interest in continuing to garden next year. Twenty-two youth have returned as Kids Can Grow “helpers” assisting other youth in the program-teaching segments at the Extension office.

One of the participant's parents said, “When she saw her own food on the table it made her very happy” . There has been tremendous “community building” with this program linking children from all over York County with 4-H, Master Gardeners, Extension staff, and local businesses. Kids Can Grow participants have had a positive introduction to a potentially life long healthy hobby of gardening.