Gardening program open to K-2 children

“People to Plants: Living Communities,” a kids gardening program at Lapham Elementary School in Madison, is open this summer to area children who have finished kindergarten through 2nd grades.

Participants will study soil and its creatures, learn about the interplanting of certain seeds and plants, and discover how an entire watershed community can affect plant health and survival.

Field trips are planned to other neighborhood gardens, the downtown farmer’s market, a nearby organic farm, and the Butterfly Bonanza at Olbrich Gardens. “Plant” crafts, garden journals, and fresh garden snacks are also included. No gardening experience is necessary.

The program is sponsored by the Madison Metropolitan School District, Lapham Elementary School and the university, with contributions from the Evjue Foundation, the Madison Area Master Gardeners Association, the Lapham/Marquette Parent Teacher Group, the Tenney-Lapham Neighborhood Association and the Williamson Street Co-op.

Instructors are Ken Swift, a first-grade teacher at Lapham, and Hope Finkelstein, founder and director of Growing Power. The program will run Monday-Thursday, July 10-13 and 17-20. Two sessions are available: 7:45-9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Fee: $65. Some scholarship help is available.

For more information or a brochure, contact Julie Seaborg, (608) 262-5315; seaborg@education.wisc.edu.