By Taylor J. Hale
Staff Writer

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Kids are getting their hands dirty this summer at the Green Thumb youth gardening program, hosted by the Boys & Girls Club of Portage County.

The group partnered with the UW-Extension Giving Gardens program to implement the educational cultivation classes during summer months.

“The Green Thumb program has been a long lasting Club program for over 10-years,” said Boys & Girls Club Director of Operations Danielle Belsky. “All seven club sites in Portage County help maintain or own their own community gardens.”

The classes run from roughly June through September and are open to any interested club members. Children learn the importance of “where their food comes from” in the easily understandable outdoor lessons.

The Boys & Girls Club partners with the UW-Extension Giving Gardens program to implement the educational cultivation classes during the summer months.

“Through this hands-on program, youth are able to experience firsthand where food comes from and how to be able to maintain and grow produce,” Belsky explained. “It is important for all youth to be able to experience the importance of managing their own garden.”

Instructors work hand-in-hand with the youth to tend to the plants while learning valuable life skills.
Belsky sees the classes as a way to connect local kids with their community.

“The Boys & Girls Club and UW-Extension saw a need for the youth of Portage County to have something to call their own, and teach children the importance of growing their own produce,” she said.

To learn more about program times and other Boys & Girls Club activities visit www.bgclubpc.org.

Contact Taylor J. Hale at thale@mmclocal.com with Portage County news and information.