Clallam County Master Gardeners are visiting second-grade classes throughout the county over the next nine weeks to motivate young people to grow their own food.

Through the illustration of the “Herbie, the Bean Plant” puppet, students learn about plant parts and the growing cycle.

The program increases knowledge about a variety of plants, increases awareness of the importance of plants in human lives and provides hands-on experience in starting plants from seeds.  

Each student plants a bean, radish, corn, pea and sunflower seed in a clear “root viewer” container whereby they can observe the seeds’ germination and root, stem and leaf development.

Master Gardeners work with local teachers to coordinate their program with the second-grade curriculum to reinforce and enhance the children’s learning experience.  

Upcoming visits:

March 5 — Franklin and Queen of Angels

March 12 — Greywolf and Olympic Christian School

March 19 — Hellen Haller

April 9 — Hamilton and Jefferson

April 16 — Roosevelt and Five Acre School

April 23 — Dry Creek and Crescent

April 30 — Forks

May 7 — Neah Bay, Clallam Bay and Mountain View Christian

For more information, call program coordinator Laurel Moulton at 565-2679.