The 2025 Dodge County Youth Master Gardener program saw some changes with the new school year.  We had 17 students enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year, kindergarten through 9th grade.  That dropped to 10 students for the 2025-2026 school year with several younger students, but still some very well-educated returning students.  As a consequence, the leader has either rewritten all of the lessons to keep the interest of the returning students, yet engage the newer students, or written  completely new lessons .  We also are teaching in a “buddy” system, pairing the very young with the more experienced students.  This worked out very well.

The students returned to Prairie Ridge Assisted Living Facility and conducted a program, much to the delight of both the residents and students.  They also went to Crossroads Care Center, Mayville to plant containers and engage with the residents.  As another community service project, they planted the containers in Kekoskee.

The summer gardens were prolific because of abundant rain and great planning on the part of the students.  The students donated almost 60 pounds of produce from one 4X12 foot bed to the Mayville Food Pantry.  They also nurtured the “foot long” bean trellis and landed the first prize in the contest.  They were excited to win that contest.

The school year has led to some great classes with great participation.  It has been exciting to see how much these students retain and grow each year. It has been another outstanding year with an exceptional class.