Thursday, July 7, 2011

Introducing the Young Organic Gardeners (Y.O.G.) Program

Volunteers working together in the community garden at the coalition.

The Wildlands Trust is seeking 10 volunteers between the ages of 15 and 18 years to participate in the first season of their Young Organic Gardeners (Y.O.G.) program. The teens will help manage Bridie’s Garden, the 1050 square foot organic vegetable and rain garden located at the Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless in Kingston, MA. The vegetables grown in the garden are donated to the coalition’s food pantry to help them meet their fresh food needs.

Y.O.G. will meet from 9am to 11am on Wednesdays, from July 20 through August 31. Program participants will gain first-hand experience with organic gardening, in addition to learning about resource conservation, and the greater environment. This is a great opportunity for those looking to complete community service hours or interested in pursuing an education or career in any agricultural, environmental, or sustainability field.  Routine Y.O.G. tasks will include weeding, watering, composting, identifying and implementing ways to improve the garden, and sharing the knowledge they gain with the larger community. No prior experience is necessary.

Volunteers are expected to attend at least 5 of the 7 sessions. A final Y.O.G. celebration will be held for all the volunteers at the end of the summer (date TBD) and fall Y.O.G. opportunities will also be available! The program is totally free of charge, however space in the summer session is limited to the first 10 volunteers who register with Sarah Kugel, the garden coordinator and AmeriCorps MassLIFT volunteer serving with Wildlands Trust.

Sarah can be reached at skugel@wildlandstrust.org or 781 934 9018.