Programs

The Greene Family Foundation youth agricultural program honors the legacy of Addison and Ruby Moultrie Greene, in Alvin, South Carolina, has been a hub of sustainable agriculture and community building for generations. The program aims to pass on this rich agricultural knowledge to the next generation of youth in the community. The program is open to up to 6 participants aged 10-14 and will consist of two seasonal programs: a spring/summer program and a fall program. 

Spring/Summer Program: 

1. Introduction to Agriculture - Introduce the participants to the basics of agriculture, including plant and soil biology, irrigation, and the importance of healthy soil. 
2. Soil Health and Composting - Teach the participants about the importance of soil health, and how to test and improve soil quality. Introduce composting as a method of improving soil health and teach participants how to create and manage a compost pile. 
3. Seed Starting and Planting - Teach the participants how to start seeds, including which types of seeds to use and how to care for seedlings. Provide hands-on experience planting seeds and transplanting seedlings in a greenhouse or outside garden beds. 
4. Local Crops - Focus on planting and caring for local crops such as tomatoes, peas, and sugar cane. Teach participants how to plant, care for, and harvest these crops. 
5. Intercropping and Companion Planting - Introduce intercropping and companion planting as methods of maximizing space and productivity in the garden. Provide hands-on experience intercropping and companion planting various crops. 
6. Garden Maintenance and Pest Control - Teach participants how to maintain a healthy garden by properly watering, fertilizing, and pruning plants, and how to identify and control common garden pests. 
7. Herb Gardening - Focus on growing local medicinal herbs such as mint, basil, and rosemary. Teach participants about the different uses of herbs, such as in teas, tinctures, and cooking. 
8. Harvesting and Preserving - Teach participants how to properly harvest and preserve crops, including canning, pickling, and drying. 
9. Community Agriculture Solutions - Provide participants with an overview of community agriculture solutions such as community gardens, seed sharing programs, and farmers' markets. Invite guest speakers from local organizations and businesses to speak about their experiences in community agriculture. 
10. Local Crops - Focus on planting and caring for local crops such as collard greens, cabbage, and okra. Teach participants how to plant, care for, and harvest these crops. 

Fall Program:

1. Tree Care and Fruit Harvesting - Teach participants how to care for local fruit trees such as persimmons, pears, peaches, and figs. Provide hands-on experience pruning and harvesting fruit from trees. 
2. Perennial Herb Gardening - Focus on planting and caring for perennial herbs such as echinacea and lavender. Teach participants about the different uses of perennial herbs and their importance in a sustainable garden. 
3. Food Preservation and Storage - Teach participants how to properly store and preserve harvested crops for fall use, including drying, canning, and freezing. 
4. Local Crops - Focus on planting and caring for local fall crops such as collard greens, broccoli, and cabbage. Teach participants how to plant, care for, and harvest these crops. 
5. Final Project - Work with participants to develop a final project that demonstrates their learning and experience in the program. This could include a community garden design, a garden journal, or a cooking demonstration using the crops they have grown.