Lewis County Master Gardeners launch new program with Juvenile Detention Center

The WSU Lewis County Master Gardeners and the Lewis County Juvenile Detention Center have launched a new program together aimed at teaching students gardening skills.

It began when Mike McDonald reached out to the Master Gardeners program to explore whether they would be interested in teaching gardening classes at the facility, according to a news release.

On March 11, Master Gardeners Sandy Papineau and Jeannette Lawson led their first class with students.

The session began in the classroom with an introduction to seed starting. Students then moved to the greenhouse, where they planted their own seeds using proper spacing and depth.

The students asked thoughtful questions, engaged fully in the hands-on activities and took pride in their work, according to the news release from the WSU Master Gardeners.

Both instructors and students described the experience as overwhelmingly positive.

After planting, the group visited the outdoor garden area to discuss plans for the raised beds. All produce grown in the greenhouse and garden will be harvested and used in meal preparation, a prospect that generated considerable excitement among the students, according to the release.

The Lewis County Master Gardeners also donated several apple and plum trees to the facility.

Students will plant and care for these trees as part of their ongoing garden stewardship.

This is just the beginning of what organizers hope will be a lasting program, the release stated.

Master Gardeners plan to hold two classes per month, covering gardening skills, vegetable garden design, plant care and harvesting.

The long-term vision is to give youth meaningful, hands-on experience growing and harvesting fruits and vegetables that will eventually make their way to the students’ own plates.

Organizers believe gardening offers a uniquely positive outlet for young people, and hope the enthusiasm and skills students develop now will stay with them well into the future.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the time with the kids and being with them in the greenhouse,” Papineau stated in the release. “Mr. McDonald has a wonderful program, and it is a pleasure to be participating in it.”