UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Interested in learning to grow the food your family eats? Penn State Extension Master Gardeners offer a comprehensive gardening program called “Seed to Supper,” aimed at helping novice, adult gardeners learn how to successfully grow a portion of their own food on a limited budget.
With an updated manual, Master Gardeners are equipped to enhance the effectiveness of this program. Seed to Supper offers more than just garden education and improved access to healthy foods, organizers noted. The program provides learners with transformative experiences that increase individual and community food security by fostering food literacy, resiliency, community connectivity and supportive social networks.
As part of a joint effort, local food banks or similar organizations and the Master Gardener program provide Seed to Supper at no cost to eligible adults. All qualifying class participants receive free course materials and supplies. In many of the counties where the program is offered, educators in Penn State Extension’s food, families and communities unit also provide information on nutrition, cooking and/or preserving to participants.
Classes cover vegetable gardening fundamentals, such as soil preparation, garden planning, planting, maintenance and harvest.
The curriculum is available in both English and Spanish. Each course includes two-hour sessions typically held at the same time each week for six to eight consecutive weeks. Classes take place both indoors and outdoors and include hands-on activities. Teams of two to three facilitators typically teach classes of about eight to 15 adult participants.
The following Pennsylvania counties are scheduled to host classes in 2024: Allegheny, Beaver, Bedford, Berks, Bradford, Clarion, Clinton, Crawford, Dauphin, Delaware, Fayette, Greene, Huntingdon, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lycoming, Mercer, Montgomery, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Philadelphia, Snyder/Union, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Warren, Washington, Wayne, Westmoreland and Wyoming. While most programs occur in the spring, late summer classes also may be available.
This program originated from the Oregon Food Bank and Oregon State University Extension Service.
Individuals interested in starting a program in their county can reach out to their local Penn State Extension Master Gardener coordinator.
More information is available on the Penn State Extension website.