Junior Master Gardener Program
The Junior Master Gardener Program (JMG) is an international program with this mission: “to grow good kids by igniting a passion for learning, success, and service through a unique gardening education” The program provides a solid hands-on curriculum through which each student can earn certification at varying levels and ultimately as a certified Junior Master Gardener. Students in third through fifth grade are eligible to enroll in the elementary program.
JMG is an interdisciplinary approach in developing a love for gardening. It includes not only digging in the dirt, but also learning about soil, water, plants, garden design, wildlife, and good nutrition through group and individual hands-on activities, as well as singing and reading. Opportunities are provided for developing personal responsibility and for doing service projects for the school or community.
For the second year Hall County Master Gardeners are sponsoring the program in area elementary schools. In the 2008-2009 school year there are over 250 students participating in eleven schools, and fifty adults are a part of the leadership teams. Most of the groups meet twice monthly after school while three of the schools are including JMG during the school day. Leadership teams include Master Gardeners, teachers, parents, and other volunteers.
The following area elementary schools currently have JMG programs:
Hall County School System Gainesville City Schools
Chestnut Mountain Centennial
Chicopee Woods
Lula
Martin Lakeview Academy
Mount Vernon
Myers
Sardis
Wauka Mountain
World Language Academy
