by Cindy Roberston, Extension Master Gardener
This spring provided numerous opportunities for Extension Master Gardeners to work with youth in Alexandria and Arlington.
As one example, Fleet Elementary’s Garden Club, run by Fleet’s Exemplary Project Coordinator Ashley Snyder, has welcomed a group of Extension Master Gardeners every other week. The program, led by Anne Reed, Jim Cary, Alison Kindler, and Cindy Robertson was so popular that it doubled in size, with one group of students meeting during their lunch hour, and the other group meeting after school.
In one recent session, Extension Master Gardener Maria Velikonja, a bee keeper and farm owner, joined the Fleet group to discuss native plants, pollinators, and honey bees. The students even got to try on bee-keeping gear and meet “Rubee” the stuffed bee!
Enjoy this video that captures the essence of our Youth Education Program (YEP) and highlights Maria’s visit to Fleet Elementary in Arlington!