Alabama 4-H

Alabama 4-H Grows

3 min read
Alabama 4-H Grows participation

The Alabama 4-H Grows Garden Project offers young people hands-on gardening experiences. Each tier, or level, provides a different gardening experience by directly engaging in getting-their-hands-dirty gardening education. Any youth that are 9–18 years old by January 1 may participate. Register in 4HOnline or with your county Extension office.

 

 

Tier I

Tier I is a novice gardening project. It addresses having limited access to gardening space, such as living in an apartment or an urban setting. Youth enrolled in the tier I project will grow three Bonnie Plants (or comparable plants) in 5-gallon buckets or similar sized containers while keeping a gardening journal. The focus will be on learning to garden and incorporating fresh vegetables into family meals.

Download a PDF of the Alabama 4-H Grows Handbook.

Summer

Fall

Tier II

Tier II continues the development of gardening skills while providing gardening experiences that promote production with an increased number of plants. The focus will continue to be on learning to garden, incorporating fresh vegetables into family meals, and keeping a gardening journal. This project is designed for a 4′ x 12′ raised bed or traditional soil garden that provides approximately 60 square feet of garden space.

Download a PDF of the Alabama 4-H Grows Handbook.

Summer

Fall

Tier III

Tier III is an advanced project that continues the development of gardening skills while promoting produce production and starting a produce business. The size (number of plants) for this project is up to the discretion of the participant. The focus will be to introduce young people to the concept of forming a business, creating a business plan, and marketing and selling produce to the community through various outlets, such as a local farmers market. This project will require approximately 144 square feet of raised bed or 200 square feet of traditional gardening space.

Download a PDF of the Alabama 4-H Grows Handbook.

Summer

Fall

Tier IV

The Tier IV project focuses on growing produce and giving back to the community by donating at least 50 percent of your produce to a local food bank or other public or private nonprofit that helps those in the community who are less fortunate. This 4-H Project supports the Alabama Extension Grow More, Give More initiative.

Download a PDF of the Alabama 4-H Grows Handbook.

Summer

Fall

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Challenges

Container Garden Challenge

Sweet Potato Challenge

NEW: Watermelon Challenge

 

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator, employer, and provider. If you need a reasonable accommodation or language access services, contact Doyle Keasal at keasade@aces.edu.