AUBURN — Whiting Farm will host the Children’s Garden Program to teach children the fun in gardening while learning the importance of growing their own food.

The program is designed for children in grades kindergarten through third grade and will begin the April school vacation from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday to Friday, April 20 to 24.

Children will plant seeds for the vegetables that will be grown in the Children’s Garden at Whiting Farm. During their time on the farm, children will participate in fun, hands-on lessons, such as pollinators and pests of the garden, they will create a worm compost bin for the farm learning how worms help plants grow, and they will explore companion planting and garden design.

In May and June, participants will be welcomed back to the farm to care for the seedlings and plant the Children’s Garden. Once a week during the growing season, children will be encouraged to participate in gardening activities with their parents or guardians. Lessons and directions on different activities, such as weeding, plant care, and pollinator and insect identification will be provided during these times.

During harvest times, children will be invited back to the garden and learn harvesting techniques, applying their knowledge learned during times on the farm, and they will be able to take home a bag of fresh veggies every other week during the harvesting season.

To register for the Whiting Farm Children’s Garden Program, go to www.jfmhomes.org under the “what’s happening” tab and register or stop in at the John F. Murphy Homes Office, 800 Center St., Auburn. The price of the program is $125.00. If you have any questions, contact Kim Finnerty, Whiting Farm Program Director, by email [email protected] or call 207-782-2726, ext. 223.