Growing Good Kids:
The Junior Master Gardener Program
Article + Photos provided by | Lisa Whittlesey
The Junior Master Gardener ® (JMG®) program started in 1999 and is an international youth gardening program headquartered at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and operates nationwide through collaborations within the land-grant extension network. JMG® Program Coordinator, Lisa Whittlesey, saw the importance of gardening and people through her early work teaching horticulture at the women’s Federal Prison Camp in Bryan, TX.
“There was something magical that transformed in the hearts and minds of my students when they worked with plants in the greenhouse and garden at the prison. This allowed my students the joy of caring and nurturing something, while also teaching them responsibility and pride that comes from growing plants and harvesting vegetables. Gardening was a wonderful tool for teaching about plants and life. Many of my students wanted to share their gardening experiences with their own children when they were released from prison and able to go back home,” Whittlesey said.
During this time, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension did not have children’s gardening resources, so this inspired Whittlesey to collaborate with colleagues on the creation of the Junior Master Gardener® program. Growing good kids and igniting a passion for learning, success, and service through a unique gardening education is the mission of the JMG® program. Children participate in the JMG program through schools, after school programs, and within community youth organizations (4-H, scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs). The JMG® program can be found in all fifty states, eleven countries, and reaches approximately one million children annually. Children obtain JMG® certification by completing learning experiences, community service projects, and career exploration activities.
“Gardening is a fantastic way to engage youth, integrate academic learning, and foster personal responsibility and community involvement,” Whittlesey said.
“An added benefit… if children grow fruits and vegetables, they are more likely to eat them! The garden is a wonderful learning laboratory that immerses kids in hands-on experiences that cultivate and challenges their minds.” JMG curricula is available to support parents, teachers, and youth participating in the JMG® program. All JMG® curricula is aligned to academic standards for science, math, social studies, and language arts. The easy step-by-step approach to lessons and gardening techniques makes it easy to utilize for even those that may not know where to start with their gardening efforts.
There are options of curricula for youth in elementary and middle school focusing on basic gardening, soils and water, insects, vegetables, fruits, and career exploration. There are thematic curricula such as Wildlife Gardener which teaches how to build gardens to attract and provide habitat for birds, pollinators, and other creatures; Literature in the Garden which integrates gardening lessons around children’s literature books, and the integration of gardening, cooking, nutrition, and physical activity through the Learn, Grow, Eat & GO curricula.
This past year the JMG program introduced Learn, Grow, Eat & GO Early Childhood curricula that is available for preschool and kindergarten programs. Online professional development training programs, lesson videos, asynchronous youth classes, and online resources are available to support and enhance program implementation.
Research shows that youth who participate in the JMG® program have increased academic achievement in science, increased preference and consumption of fruits and vegetables, and greater physical activity. The program allows children to learn about giving back to their community, developing personal leadership, and sharing their gardening knowledge with others. Family engagement increases through children and families gardening, cooking together, and having more family meals together.
“Gardening is a perfect environment for children and adults to learn, work, share, and cultivate lasting relationships with each other,” Whittlesey said. The Junior Master Gardener® program is proud to offer educational programming for educators and volunteers through programs at the Texas A&M Leach Teaching Gardens and through county Texas A&M AgriLife Extension offices throughout Texas. If you are interested in training opportunities, obtaining curricula, starting a program in your neighborhood, school, or getting plugged into a local program check out www.jmgkids.us for more details.
CONTACT JMG® AT
578 John Kimbrough Blvd.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Texas A&M University, Mailstop 2144
College Station, TX 77843-2144
979.845.8565
juniormastergardener@gmail.com
