Spring has arrived in Lewiston. Magnolia and dogwood trees are blooming, bees are buzzing, spinach, peas, and salad greens are growing strong in the hoop-house and on Saturday we were reminded that spring in Maine has an additional perk, snow. As heavy, thick snow piled on the trees and gardens the fear sank in, did we start too early? Were we fooled by the 80-degree days in March? A few hours later the snow melted and we breathed a deep sigh of relief; the onions, spinach, peas, radishes, turnips, carrots, and parsnips already planted in the garden should be okay. Our plans for Earth Week will continue.

Typically the third week in April marks the beginning of our outdoor growing season. The week is filled with work parties, children’s programs, community events, and hiring youth who will work in the gardens for eight weeks during the summer. Our Youth Interns (Rahma, Aniso, and Tom) take the lead on all of these activities, using their week off from school as a week on at Lots to Gardens.

Tom and Aniso planned an activity to teach younger kids how to take care of plants and what the different needs of plants are. Rahma planned a cooking class to teach kids how to make healthy snacks that feature vegetables, proteins, dairy, and grains. All three will be leading teambuilding and gardening activities during the group interview for the 33 youth who applied to be on our Summer Youth Gardener crew. The week is ending with a dinner they organized, and will be cooking for, to raise money to attend the 2010 Rooted in Community (RIC) Conference in North Carolina this summer. For them RIC is an opportunity to (re)connect with other youth who understand the importance of growing food and building community. It’s also an opportunity to do and learn new things, explore new places, and have a lot of fun.

Though the weather may be digressing back to winter our hearts are pointed squarely towards summer. Ready to grow mountains of food, challenge ourselves and our community, and head down south to reconnect with friends and feel the strength and power of a national movement led by youth, for youth.

Ari Rosenberg