By Staff
GALIEN – Today marks the first day of the Youth Farm School Program's annual Youth Farm Camp for children in Berrien County in grades kindergarten through 12th.
The camp runs throughout the summer, ending Aug. 15 "or until school begins," said director Leslie Weatherford in a news release. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., children attending the camp will learn skills in planting, fieldwork, vegetable growth as well as details about tractors.
According to Weatherford, 10 acres of field have been donated by John Critzer of Critzer Farms. Critzer, said "will assist us in educating the students with tractors and fertilizers and nutrients needed" for plants.
Weatherford states she has been certified through the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service on Nutrient and Pest Management and has been growing vegetables for eight years. She "decided to open a Youth Farm Camp for kids in 2007 so they can learn about growing a vegetable garden and selling the products for profit."
Swimming and other activities will also be available for the kids who attend this year's camp. Those children are advised to bring sack lunches, a bathing suit, towel and water bottle with them each day.
The camp is accepting donations to help in supplying campers with tools and other items that they may take home. Weatherford states that the camp does have Tax ID number for anyone who contributes a donation and those donations can be sent to 854 Olive Branch Road in Galien.