On Saturday, April 12, more than two dozen 4-Hers from across Maryland descended upon the IAA at the University of Maryland, College Park for another round of the “Learn by Doing” event series. In recent years, these hands-on learning events have engaged Maryland’s next-generation agricultural leaders in dynamic educational activities. During the events, the participants learn agricultural science and have the opportunity to combine their fresh knowledge with state-of-the-art tools and technologies employed by savvy professionals.
Saturday’s event was no exception. Before you could say “hot potato,” the energetic 6 to 12 year old 4-Hers were immersed in a multi-media presentation of fascinating potato facts entitled “Square Foot Spuds.” In short order, IAA instructors Roy Walls and Meredith Epstein served up a full menu of learning experiences on the fine points of potato planting, caring and harvesting multiple varieties of potatoes with exotic names like Russian Bananas, Rose Finn Apples, Norland Dark Reds and Magic Mollys. The young participants not only learned about potato plant science, but also discovered how to build wooden planting boxes that yield more than 100 pounds of potatoes each in only four square feet.
Once their potato instruction was complete, four eager teams headed off to the IAA Public Health Garden. The teams were led by student collegiate volunteers from both AGNR and IAA programs. Upon arrival, pre-cut lumber was sorted, hammers and nails were distributed and electric drills were assigned. Within minutes, the pounding, drilling and planting was underway.
“It was amazing to see dozens of little hands busy with tools constructing planting frames for the potatoes,” said Roy Walls. “I hope they will visit campus again with their family to see the result of their efforts,” he added.
