KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – Youths ages 8-14 can sign up for University of Missouri Extension’s Kirksville Garden ’n Grow program. Deadline to register is July 16.

The program runs 9-11:30 a.m. July 21-25 at the MU Extension Center in Adair County, 503 East Northtown Road, Kirksville.

MU Extension horticulturist Jennifer Schutter says after 25 years of offering Garden ’n Grow as a summerlong garden program, it is taking on a new format in Adair County.

During the weeklong program, youths will get hands-on learning experiences by helping with the All-America Selection (AAS) Display Garden. They will learn how to grow plants and the proper ways to care for them.

 They will also harvest and take home produce from the AAS garden, which now occupies the former Garden ’n Grow beds. Youths will engage in lessons on various horticulture topics and will learn how to prepare produce from the garden to eat, say Schutter.

“I’ve done this program for 24 out of the 25 years, and I felt it was time for a change,” says Schutter. “We had a good run at it, but sometimes you need to change things up.” Schutter is now growing 35 varieties of AAS vegetables and flowers in the garden at the MU Extension Center in Adair County.

“We have a fully staffed office in Adair County, and this is a great program to incorporate programming from all three areas of extension,” she says.

Schutter will teach horticulture and work with youths in the garden. An MU Extension nutrition specialist and a nutrition program associate will give lessons on the nutritional value of fresh fruits and vegetables. Youths will learn how to make fresh salsa, smoothies, tacos and vegetable pizza with garden produce. A 4-H youth educator will engage the children in fun activities and tell them about opportunities in 4-H.

Garden ’n Grow, developed by MU Extension, blends positive youth development and academic learning with horticulture training, Schutter says. The program encourages the discovery of science and nature through gardening. Students are guided by adult educators and Master Gardeners. Gardening activities promote a sense of ownership, pride and responsibility, she says.

Register at muext.us/gngadair or stop by the Adair County MU Extension center in Kirksville.