Lacey Michael
Elmore Autauga News
The Autauga County Master Gardeners Association celebrated the very first Jr Master Gardener class graduation. This graduating class was made up of 21 third grade students. Today’s celebration was an event full of fun and gratitude with their certification, gift baskets, pizza, refreshments and fresh vegetables from their class grown garden!
The Jr Master Gardener course taught everything from plant science to ecological principles and how to treat and respect the environment well. The students really made the courtyard shine with painted rocks, cleaned and planted raised beds. The students and their master gardeners literally planted life into this area at school!
The class was instructed by Bionca Lindsey from Autauga County Master Gardeners Association. Lindsey shared that she obtained her certification from Texas A&M and that specific course was 42 weeks long. The certification for the junior program was condensed into a 10-week course for the third graders. When asked about being a part of this program and what this class has meant to her, Lindsey stated, “For me, it has been life changing, because I get hugs every week from these little young minds and I get to watch it when the light comes on, when they get it and every week they retain information.”
This year’s class was taught by five Master Gardeners with Autauga County Master Gardeners Association and all involved showed how very grateful they were to be a part of these third graders’ lives the past 10 weeks. Their tag line is “Learn, Grow, Eat & Go!” These young third graders followed suit, and it is evident that these students will not forget what they have learned and earned.
Autauga County Master Gardeners Association Vice President, Michael Camire said, “The biggest thing we got out of this, was seeing the children grow and smile and the things they learned about nutrition. It was just amazing the things they did not know. It warmed our hearts as it warmed theirs and they retain so much of it which surprised us all.”
This third-grade class is taught by Ms. Williamson at Prattville Elementary School. Williamson stated, “I am so thankful for the opportunity to partner with a wonderful organization that had the expertise to bring to the classroom, and I was there to facilitate and was honored to do so.”
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