Corteva Agriscience supports local pollinator programs

Earlier this year Morrow County was awarded a $15,000 grant from National 4-H Council and received funds from Corteva Agriscience to support the creation of a pollinator habitat and educational opportunities for youth to learn about pollinators. 

Amanda Staley, Extension educator for 4-H in Morrow County, secured the grant funding and oversaw the many initiatives that took place. Ten local teens volunteered to learn about pollinators, build the habitat, and teach at least 250 other youth about the knowledge they’ve learned.

Learn more about some of the programming and initiatives made possible through this funding below.

Pollinator Learning Garden
Perry Cook Memorial Public Library in Johnsville was selected as the location of the pollinator garden after Jennifer Gliebe, library director, expressed interest in having a learning garden.

Carri Jagger, Extension educator for agriculture and natural resources in Morrow County, played a key role in teaching the youth how to plan and build the garden. Some of the topics or skills learned throughout included how to read soil test results to determine how much fertilizer was needed for good soil health, what native plants would thrive in the climate, how many plants were needed for the space available, and garden design. The youth members also did the physical work of preparing the space and planting the garden. 

Cloverbud Fun Day
What a terrific day! Thirty-five youth ages 5–8 attended Cloverbud Fun Day, which took place on June 20. The day focused on learning about pollinators through hands-on learning activities.

OSU Extension intern Lilly Bowers taught about bugs as the kids excitedly searched for them outside with bug catchers and traps. They also learned about vermicomposting while they built their morning snack with layers of pudding, Oreos, sprinkles, and gummy worms. 

The kids had a great time creating edible arrangements as they ate the extra fruit that pollinators had a hand in growing. Many of the arrangements were beautiful but many lost their luster as kids were eating their arrangements as they left for the day.

Thanks to Corteva Agriscience, the youth were able to take home their bug traps, edible arrangements, a hummingbird feeder, sunflower seeds to plant, coloring book, t-shirt, and an informational sheet about pollinators.

Earth Day for 2^nd Graders
The teen leaders led fun and engaging sessions to 217 second-grade students as part of the annual Earth Day Celebration at the Mt. Gilead State Park on May 7. Students learned what pollinators are, their importance, what plants attract them, and how to care for their habitat. They even constructed butterflies for the kids to take home.

These students, along with another 125 students, received a bag full of educational materials about pollinators, a trough, and sunflower seeds to take home to plant.  

Raised Bed Garden for Teaching
A new project is underway outside the AgCredit building. Carri Jagger will be overseeing the construction of a new raised bed learning garden. This garden will be used to teach the community about various horticulture practices.