On March 15, the Bath County Farmer’s Market will host its first seed planting class for kids. The class is free and is limited to children ages five to 15.
Susan Harris, Vice President of the Bath County Farmer’s Market, said it’s important for young people to learn skills like how to plant and harvest because the knowledge will allow them to be self-sufficient later in life.
“I think every child should have some homesteading experience, whether it be planting or harvesting or, I don’t know, sewing, cooking. Because it’s more important now than ever before for everybody to start learning how to be a little bit more self-sufficient,” said Harris.
Children will choose one of the ten types of seed provided by the Bath County Memorial Library and plant it in a small container. They will take their plant home and care for it as it grows. When the plants outgrow their pots, they will be replanted in a larger area at the Farmer’s Market. Eventually, the children will take home the product of their seed, whether it be a flower, fruit or vegetable.
Harris said the class will teach children in a fun and exciting way how plants grow.
“It’s just the wonder of seeing those little, tiny seeds. You put it in the dirt, and then all of a sudden, you get a plant. You take that little plant, and you put it in more dirt, and all of a sudden, you’re going to get a tomato, or some beans, or some squash, or some flowers. Just that awakening that they’re going to be able to see what happens from one little seed, and then they’re going to be able to eat it,” said Harris.
There will be a limit of 20 students per class. If more than 20 students want to attend, the Farmer’s Market will plan a second class.