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December 2004
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The Pendleton Community Garden Project--More Than Just Planting SeedsAlice Voluntad Patricia Dawson Mary Corp IntroductionThe Pendleton Community Garden Project (PCGP) is more than just planting seeds. It is about planting ideas, growing skills, and nurturing leadership and self-esteem in participants. Umatilla County Extension Family & Community Development, 4-H Youth Development, and Agriculture faculty provided leadership in bringing together 22 local agencies to work with at-risk youth, senior citizens, and community volunteers to turn a vacant lot into a community garden. Established in 2001, the PCGP continues to provide produce to food bank recipients and homebound seniors. Both senior citizens and youth participants have benefited from this intergenerational partnership. Providing at-risk youth with constructive, positive activities has been a long-term dilemma for rural communities such as Pendleton, Oregon. Many communities lack the amenities to keep youth stimulated and engaged in positive activities. In 1998 Congress revealed that approximately 75% of youth offenders are high school dropouts lacking basic literacy and life skills, possess little or no job experience, and lack marketable skills. Researchers have suggested that in order to avoid further criminal activity, thus reducing recidivism, more programs should be developed to teach youth life skills. Also, findings suggest that almost all of these youths will return to a life of crime upon release if not involved with educational programs while incarcerated, (Congressional Findings 1998). In fact, each year's class of high school dropouts will cost the nation approximately $260 billion in lost earnings and unpreventable taxes during their lifetime (Cohen, 1995). Additionally, youth who are institutionalized in the justice system have a greater likelihood of becoming incarcerated adults. In adulthood, juvenile delinquents are more likely to rely on welfare, become chronically unemployed and turn to alcoholism. (Kazdin, 1992). Program PurposeThe intent of the PCGP was to provide a positive venue for constructive activities to steer youth away from risky behavior, such as substance abuse, suicide, and sexual activity. A recent study conducted by the Umatilla County Commission on Children and Families found that nearly 27% of local 11th graders sometimes felt hopeless and 18% had considered suicide (Commission on Children & Families, 2002). The PCGP was designed to help alleviate these problems and engage at-risk youth with experiential, community-action activities. Partnering youth participants with senior adult mentors was included to enhance communication skills, teamwork and self-esteem. Program Objectives
Program Design and DeliveryThe PCGP was granted use of a city-owned vacant lot near a local city park. Over 100 volunteers and businesses donated expertise, time, products, and equipment to the PCGP. Several small grants assisted in the purchase of additional supplies. Under the direction of Extension faculty and Master Gardener volunteers, at-risk youth were able to work in the community garden from seeding to harvest. Through their efforts, food bank recipients and homebound seniors were provided garden produce, resulting in an increase in fresh vegetable consumption and leading to a healthier diet. Participants received educational support addressing gardening techniques, nutrition and health tips utilizing fresh produce, leadership skills and communication techniques. The project used 4-H, Master Gardener, and nutrition education curricula. Additionally, the youth had the opportunity to foster community development, cohesiveness, and intergenerational skills while working at the garden site. Marketable SkillsThe PCGP helped plant self-confidence, community service, and citizenship in the minds of at-risk youth. Youth learned life skills, including decision-making, and the farm-to-table concept. By maintaining daily journals, youth became grounded in their reading, writing, listening, and time-management skills. Involvement of senior citizens as mentors provided a positive intergenerational opportunity. EvaluationEvaluation of the PCGP included testimonials by youth participants and quantitative measurable outcomes that recorded pounds of produce delivered to needy families, service group participation, and hours of volunteer service. Also, the evaluation process included an Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved instrument measuring pre- and post- knowledge and skills. This instrument consisted of a five-part Likert type scale and showed significant gains in leadership, communication, and horticulture skills. Results included:
Anecdotes from their journals included the following.
Extension's CommitmentCommunity leaders and volunteers provide a link for practical leadership, while developing an infrastructure within their community, leading to improved self-sufficiency. The PCGP demonstrates that idea by providing an opportunity for at-risk youth, seniors, and community volunteers to work together on a common project. The PCGP highlights Extension's leadership role in creating advantageous partnerships within communities. ReferencesCohen, M. (1995). The monetary value of saving a high-risk youth. Journal of Quantitative Criminology. 14(1) 5-33. Commission on Children and Families (2002). Survey of Umatilla County Oregon students. Congressional Findings. Higher Education Amendments of 1998. Available at: http://www.ed.gov/policy/highered/leg/hea98/sec821.html Kazdin, A. E. (1992). Child and adolescent dysfunction and paths toward maladjustment: Targets for intervention. Clinical Psychology Review, 12(8) pp. 795-817. This article is online at http://www.joe.org/joe/2004december/iw2.shtml. Copyright © by Extension Journal, Inc. ISSN 1077-5315. Articles appearing in the Journal become the property of the Journal. Single copies of articles may be reproduced in electronic or print form for use in educational or training activities. Inclusion of articles in other publications, electronic sources, or systematic large-scale distribution may be done only with prior electronic or written permission of the Journal Editorial Office, joe-ed@joe.org. If you have difficulties viewing or printing this page, please contact JOE Technical Support. |