Describe the Issue or Situation.

Prior to this year, there was no existing garden or horticulture-focused club within the local 4-H programming. Youth interested in gardening, sustainability, or agricultural sciences had limited hands-on opportunities to explore these interests in a structured, educational setting. There was also a growing need to connect youth with local food systems and community service opportunities.

Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).

With the hiring of a new 4-H/Horticulture Program Assistant, Aissatou Gallagher, the 4-H Garden Club was established to meet the growing interest in horticulture. Aissatou developed and implemented a hands-on curriculum covering soil science, seed starting, bird identification, recycling in the garden, and creative activities like wreath-making with fresh pine cuttings.

Participants are currently remodeling a previously built greenhouse to better suit their vision and have installed new raised garden beds with the help of local landscapers and input from area farmers. The club also began an agribusiness unit, teaching youth how to market and sell their produce, manage business operations, and build career readiness skills through resume development and mock job applications.

Looking forward, the Garden Club plans to sell their produce at the local farmers market to raise funds for club activities, while also donating fresh produce to the local senior center and aligning their harvests with Mrs. Jenn’s Cooking Club recipes to help reduce costs for both clubs and promote cross-program collaboration.

Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.

The program serves 13 youth participants, all of whom have consistently engaged in weekly meetings and hands-on horticulture activities. Participants range in age and come from various backgrounds, united by a shared interest in gardening, sustainability, community service, and agriculture-related careers.

Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program Impact. Please note that the outcomes statement must use evaluation data to describe the change(s) that occurred in individuals, groups, families, businesses, or in the community because of the program/outreach.

As a result of their participation in the 4-H Garden Club, 100% of youth reported an increase in knowledge and skills related to soil science, seed starting, plant care, and sustainable gardening practices, based on pre- and post-program surveys. Additionally, 85% of participants expressed greater confidence in identifying local bird species and applying environmental practices like recycling in the garden.

All participants completed a professional resume and participated in mock interviews as part of the agribusiness unit, helping them develop tangible career readiness skills. Youth also demonstrated collaboration and leadership by working with local landscapers and farmers to plan and implement their greenhouse and raised bed projects.

The club’s plans to sell produce at the farmers market, donate to the senior center, and coordinate with Mrs. Jenn’s Cooking Club represent a meaningful shift toward sustainability and community connection. These outcomes reflect the program’s broad impact—not only increasing youth knowledge and engagement in agriculture but also contributing to the local community’s food systems and well-being.