Urban agriculture group to teach Harrisburg kids about sustainability and gardening

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Archive photo of Camp Curtin YMCA community garden

Summer may be coming to an end, but the kids in Harrisburg will have the opportunity to end the season by getting their hands dirty in the backyard.

On September 25, the local urban agriculture group Ngozi’s Let’s Get Dirty! will host an educational and hands-on event to teach residents about gardening and sustainability.

“Our goal is to inspire, educate and empower the people of Harrisburg most affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19),” Rafiyqa Muhammad, certified permaculture instructor for the farm organization, said in a statement. .

The Living Healthy Harrisburg event will take place in the Camp Curtin YMCA Urban Garden, at the back of the facility, and will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ngozi instructors will teach students how to build a garden using a recycled chair and how to grow a strawberry plant for next spring. The class is limited to 12 children.

They will also help youth build, design and paint compost containers for the YMCA garden.

“Living Healthy Harrisburg engages, demonstrates and educates local communities on how to reduce their carbon footprint as well as holistic approaches through green and sustainable living,” said Muhammad.

From 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, children’s author Danielle M. Jackson will read excerpts from her books, including her most recent, “Turnip Lettuce at the Farmers’ Market.” The first 10 children will receive free autographed books. The author of “From Hurt 2 Healing”, Jamillah London, will also be in attendance.

In addition to learning how to plant food, students will be able to taste the harvest from the YMCA garden.

To help participants re-energize, fitness instructors Charisse Grayer and Sandy Johnson will guide children through wellness activities.

The YMCA, Young Professionals of Color-Greater Harrisburg and Gateway Health Plan will also be on hand to provide education and information about their organizations.

Let’s be dirty with Ngozi! Urban Agriculture is an initiative of local businesses, non-profit organizations, elected officials and community members to provide education on regenerative and economically viable urban permaculture farming practices.

For more information on Living Healthy Harrisburg, visit their Facebook page.

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