By Andi Anderson
The Peoria Friendship House Community Garden is helping young students learn much more than how to grow vegetables. Through a partnership with University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners, the program provides year-round horticulture education that teaches students practical skills, leadership, and responsibility.
Master Gardeners Kendra Belk and Jaime Dooley lead the initiative and guide students through a complete "seed to seed" learning journey. The program begins during the winter months and continues through planting, harvesting, and seed saving. Throughout the process, students learn about garden planning, seed selection, soil health, plant life cycles, and food production.
"The biggest impact is when students realize they are capable of creating and caring for something from beginning to end," said Belk. "The garden has become much more than a place to grow vegetables. It has become a classroom where students build confidence, practice patience, solve problems, and develop a sense of ownership."
Students gain hands-on experience through activities such as seed starting, transplanting, watering, pruning, harvesting, and seed saving. These experiences help them develop important life skills including teamwork, communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and perseverance.
Harvest season is one of the most rewarding parts of the program. After months of effort and care, students see the results of their hard work through fresh produce grown in the garden. Many participants take vegetables home to share with their families, while surplus produce is donated to support local food assistance efforts. This helps students understand the importance of food production and community support.
The program also creates opportunities for personal growth. One student, Marcus, shared that working in the garden reminded him of spending time gardening with his grandmother. Continuing this tradition helped him strengthen family connections while becoming a leader among fellow participants.
As students gain experience, many begin taking responsibility for garden activities. They learn to identify weeds, recognize when plants need water, and assist younger participants in learning new gardening skills. These experiences encourage leadership and build confidence.
Community support has played an important role in the success of the garden program. Collaboration among Friendship House staff, Illinois Extension, Master Gardeners, volunteers, and local organizations has expanded educational opportunities and enhanced the learning experience. Additional support through a Know More, Grow More Grant recently helped fund the installation of an irrigation system.
The project's success was recognized with the 2026 Illinois Extension Master Gardener Teamwork Award. The recognition highlights the positive impact of combining education, gardening, and community engagement.
"Our hope is that every student leaves the program knowing they have the ability to grow food, care for the environment, and make a positive impact in their community," Belk said.
Through hands-on learning and community involvement, the program continues to inspire students while promoting gardening knowledge, environmental stewardship, and lifelong skills.
Photo Credit: pexels-greta-hoffman
Categories: Illinois, Education