Junior Master Gardener program

The after-school Junior Master Gardener (JMG) program is underway at the Atlanta Elementary School. Fifty-five students representing grades two through four participate in the gardening classes one day each on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday respectively. 
“We are so excited to offer the Junior Master Gardener program again this school year at AES,” said Principal Todd Marshall. “Our students who participate in the program gain new educational experiences each week. We appreciate Mr. Brown’s hard work and time in continuing our JMG program to benefit our students’ learning.”
According to Larry Brown, AES JMG Coordinator, because of the abundance of rain early in the summer, the raised bed gardens at the school are still producing banana peppers, onions, okra, lettuce, kale, and Swiss chard.  Radishes and carrots are growing with hopes that there will be a harvest before the winter overtakes the area. 
The knowledge of gardening doesn’t stop outdoors. 
In addition to harvesting, students are observing and documenting garden changes in their journals along with the weather and forecast. The first frost won’t be sneaking up on these students.
In the classroom, students are learning about different plant growth characteristics and how to propagate plants from cuttings. 
As winter eventually moves in, the students will use grow lights to start some lettuce and other quick producing crops to harvest in the classroom until the greenhouse is usable in order to prepare plants for a spring garden.