The Origin Bank Family Garden at the Children’s Coalition, located in Downtown Monroe, is a demonstration, 32 raised-bed "family" garden that showcases plants and sustainable gardening techniques appropriate for our area and provides learning opportunities for our EHS program. The garden and outdoor learning center also offers learning opportunities to children and their families in our community through outreach programs such as Super Saturday.
The family garden is an awesome example of simple gardening ideas that can get parents and children working and growing together while harvesting many healthy benefits. From counting seeds and simply digging in the dirt to watering and scavenger hunts as the plants grow, families have fun and enjoy interactive activities in a garden they have planned and cultivated together. Plus, children are more willing to try vegetables they have helped grow, and everyone gains from spending time with each other outside in the fresh air.
Children in our EHS program are introduced to a variety of vegetables grown in the garden. They are encouraged to taste the produce, but just seeing and being introduced to the item broadens their learning experience. Teachers may talk to them about the shape and the color as well as the taste and how it benefits our health.
The family garden is an awesome example of simple gardening ideas that can get parents and children working and growing together while harvesting many healthy benefits. From counting seeds and simply digging in the dirt to watering and scavenger hunts as the plants grow, families have fun and enjoy interactive activities in a garden they have planned and cultivated together. Plus, children are more willing to try vegetables they have helped grow, and everyone gains from spending time with each other outside in the fresh air.
Children in our EHS program are introduced to a variety of vegetables grown in the garden. They are encouraged to taste the produce, but just seeing and being introduced to the item broadens their learning experience. Teachers may talk to them about the shape and the color as well as the taste and how it benefits our health.
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OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL AGES TO PLAY + GROWNot only does our family garden feature 32 raised-beds, we also have a sound garden, bubbling rock, mud kitchen and Children's Coalition on the Go - a space for children birth-3.
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LITTLE GARDENERS
WHO: Children & Parents
WHAT: Time in the garden to play, explore, plant, create, learn, and have fun!
WHEN: 9:00am - 10:30pm - May 30| June 20| July 5
WHERE: The Origin Bank Family Garden at the Children’s Coalition
WHAT: Time in the garden to play, explore, plant, create, learn, and have fun!
WHEN: 9:00am - 10:30pm - May 30| June 20| July 5
WHERE: The Origin Bank Family Garden at the Children’s Coalition
SUPER SATURDAY
The Children’s Coalition opens the gates to the Origin Bank Family Garden every third Saturday of the month to host Super Saturday, featuring garden-based activities for children and adults, early childhood activities in the outdoor learning center, healthy cooking demonstrations using fresh produce grown locally, and community resources and volunteer opportunities.
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GREAUXING GARDENS
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Greauxing Gardens is an initiative through a partnership with the Children's Coalition for Northeast Louisiana and LSU AgCenter Ouachita Parish. 22 child care centers across Northeast Louisiana received beds, dirt, seeds and supplies to begin growing food to incorporate into the children's meals. Nutritionist Cindy George is providing support.
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"I love the Family Garden because it promotes healthy living by offering fresh produce and spices, human interaction with nature when families/individuals come to pick fruits/vegetables, and community involvement when volunteers from the community some to serve in the garden on Super Saturdays."
-Damon Nailer
-Damon Nailer
