Blount County Master Gardeners has partnered with Alcoa Boys & Girls Club to teach area youth how to garden.

In August of 2024, the partnership began with six raised beds, some very curious children, and the Blount County Master Gardeners  serving as teachers and mentors. The participants are actively learning how to grow produce from seeds as well as seedlings. Maintaining the beds includes watering, weeding, and harvesting fruits and vegetables. Crop rotation, companion planting and pest identification and control will also be taught to these young gardeners.

You can never be too young to love gardening. The lessons taught through this partnership will serve participants well and hopefully inspire the next generation of backyard gardeners and maybe even some future Master Gardeners.