Youth Horticulture Program is Growing

 

So much youth horticulture! Calling all teenage plant nerds! Join us for the best week of the summer at Hort Camp! Dig into hands-on horticulture workshops, field trips, and make friends who love plants as much as you! Camp is July 6-11th, 2025 with a cost of $675 + scholarships for NC 4-H'ers. Applications are open! Read about it here! Apply Now! So many other youth + gardening happenings National Horticultural Art Contest Seed Your Future is thrilled to announce the launch of its inaugural Nationwide High School Art Contest, inviting students from across the country to showcase their creativity while exploring the vital role of horticulture in their world. With the theme "The Importance of Horticulture in My World," the contest challenges students to express how plants, flowers, and green spaces impact their daily lives through painting, drawing, or mixed media art. Overall Winner – $500 cash prize for the student. Their artwork will be the focal point at the Seed Your Future Gala. The student's art teacher will also receive a $500 check for classroom art supplies. Second Place Honorable Mention – $300 cash prize. Third Place Honorable Mention – $150 cash prize. Read more here! Plant ID Webinar Training Join us for a zoom training this Thursday, February 13th at 9am to explore ways to teach plant identification to youth. We will review the Hort Contest's lists of plants and strategies for helping young people learn to pick out identifying features. Contact Pasquotank Horticulture Agent, Grace Atkins for any questions. Register for the Zoom Whether you’re leading a school garden, 4-H club, or community program, this workshop will equip you with the tools and inspiration to cultivate a lifelong love for gardening in youth.  Youth Gardening Symposium Inspire the next generation of gardeners! Join  Extension's Horticulture Program Team's Consumer and Youth Working Group for a hands-on workshop designed for Extension professionals, Master Gardener Volunteers, and 4-H Volunteers eager to engage youth in gardening. Leveraging vibrant demonstration gardens at Extension offices, this session will explore best practices for teaching kids to grow their own food, care for pollinators, and connect with nature. Through interactive activities, creative garden projects, lightening talks, and hands-on learning techniques, participants will gain practical strategies to spark curiosity and confidence in young gardeners.  Thursday, May 29th, 9am-4pm, Wilson County Center Registration is $30, includes lunch and supplies Register through Eventbrite Contact Liz Driscoll, 4-H Subject Matter Specialist, NC State Extension liz_driscoll@ncsu.edu | 919.886.3424