Big Horn County 4-H Junior Master Gardeners growing strong

Big Horn County 4-H and the Beyond the Bell program are excited to share the success of the new Junior Master Gardeners program. What started as a new adventure for the county has quickly grown into an engaging hands-on learning opportunity for youth across the community.

Interest and participation in the program have been outstanding as youth explore gardening, science, healthy living, and community service through fun educational activities. Participants have been gaining valuable life skills while learning where food comes from and the importance of agriculture in everyday life.

One activity focused on pizza ingredients, helping youth discover that nearly every ingredient comes from a plant source — either directly from plants or indirectly through livestock that consume plants. Youth also learned the importance of creating a healthy soil foundation for starting seeds and proper watering techniques, including watering plants from the bottom up to encourage strong root growth.

Junior Master Gardeners have also been actively involved in meaningful community service projects. Youth assembled raised garden beds for the North Big Horn Senior Center and will soon help assemble beds for the South Big Horn Senior Citizen Center. These projects will create opportunities for 4-H members and senior citizens to work together while growing vegetables and flowers for the community.

Beyond the Bell students have planted seeds and explored the science behind plants through hands-on learning experiences. Students gained knowledge and excitement while examining plants under microscopes and learning about plant structures and growth. Creativity was also encouraged as students designed and created colorful garden stakes for their plants.

Big Horn County 4-H is excited to continue growing the Junior Master Gardener program and expanding opportunities for youth to develop life skills, leadership, healthy living habits, and an appreciation for agriculture and the environment.

A special thank you goes to the Wyoming Community Foundation for helping make these educational opportunities possible for the youth of Big Horn County.