Hands-on gardening sessions open to youth-serving groups

The School Nutrition AgriCulture Garden Foundation has partnered with a Lewes produce farm to offer free hands-on education opportunities for Sussex County youth throughout summer 2026.  

Guided by SNAC's expert educators, groups will work together at Weathered Eye Farm to tend the garden and learn about topics such as seed starting, plant care, harvesting, nutrition, composting, soil health, pollinators, native plants and local ecosystems.

Any organization or group that serves youth is welcome to sign up for one session or participate throughout the entire summer at no cost to families or organizations.

Shandra Furtado, SNAC executive director, said, “Garden education is most impactful when students have a sense of responsibility in the garden and return to a space on multiple occasions to tend to the full life cycles of the plants they are growing. Not only does it teach them to love vegetables, but also other valuable skills like patience, stewardship, attention to detail, problem solving and working collaboratively toward a common goal.” 

In later summer sessions, youth will be able to take home produce grown in the garden to their families. At the end of the summer, all groups are welcome to attend a harvest party to celebrate and taste the vegetables they’ve grown together.

“We must stay close to the food we eat,” said Jay McCutcheon, co-owner of Weathered Eye Farm. The 4-acre produce farm specializes in fruit, herbs and vegetables. “Small farms are disappearing, and that makes this program and SNAC’s mission critically important.”

To learn more, go to snacgardens.org or email info@snacgardens.org.