Throughout the duration of camp, campers were able to participate in a number of activities in addition to assisting with the pollinator garden.
Courtesy photos
This year’s campers, in no particular order, include: Andrew Jessop-Welden, Dylan Jessop-Welden, Houston Renwick, Kaylee Miller, Collins Miller, Kenley Jacobs, Bralyn Enlow, Zora Joiner, Jaslynn Davis, Jaiden Houseal, Karmyn Hunter, Kyra Nicks, Liza Shaw, Kendra Argoe, Mathis Argoe, Sadie Kneece, Coby Kneece, Jaison Jean-Baptiste and Kathleen Mills.
Courtesy photos
Campers are hard at work helping bring the pollinator garden to life.
Courtesy photos
This little one is all smiles as he holds a bug.
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Camp participants even had the opportunity to eat bugs!
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That is one big smile and one big bug!
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After the ribbon cutting, guests were able to browse the different flowers in the garden.
Kelly Duncan photos | The Newberry Observer
Campers help with the official ribbon cutting of the pollinator garden.
Kelly Duncan photos | The Newberry Observer
The Newberry County 4-H Pollinator Garden was officially unveiled to the community last Wednesday. The garden is located in the same center as Piedmont Technical College and the Clemson Extension office on Wilson Road.
Kelly Duncan photos | The Newberry Observer
NEWBERRY COUNTY — Calling all plant enthusiasts! Newberry County 4-H has officially unveiled a new perennial pollinator garden at the Clemson Extension Office next to Piedmont Technical College as part of Camp Sprout Scout.
Pollinator gardens are essential for supporting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators that help fertilize over 75% of flowering plants and a third of the food we eat. Despite facing threats of habitat loss, pesticides and climate change, pollinator gardens provide safe havens filled with native plants that offer food, shelter, and nesting sites. They also help boost biodiversity, improve crop yields and create beautiful, educational spaces for communities.
The full list of plants in the pollinator garden includes: Echinacea, Verbena Rigida, Rudbeckia, Dianthus, Butterfly Bush, Butterfly Weed, Cornflower, Coreopsis, Verbascum, Carnations, Milkweed, and Delphinium.
Students at the Newberry County Career Center also started a number of seeds for the garden in their greenhouse – anything that currently has flowers was donated to the garden from the school’s recent plant sale, said Mallory Pitts, Newberry County 4-H Agent.
Pitts said each day of camp was filled with different guest speakers and activities, from lessons on bees, eating crickets and cricket brownies and learning about the importance of pollinators.
“Each day we only spent about an hour in the garden — so they got this whole 2,500-square foot garden done in basically three hours over the course of three days,” Pitts said.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the County. The kids did a great job with the plants and it’s a great way to support the bees and pollination. We all need crops to be pollinated and to nourish our bodies,” said Karl Sease, Newberry County Council Vice Chairman.
Another addition to the garden includes a Lending Library for books to be dropped off and exchanged. Pitts said the garden and library is a peaceful place to have a cup of coffee or may one day be used to hold club meetings.
Pitts also wanted to take a moment to thank the following sponsors: Newberry Dental Associates, Blackmon’s Jewelry, Heritage Mini Storage, LLC, Stokes Trainor, Village Pawn, LLC, Newberry County Farm Bureau, Whitaker Floor Covering, Inc., Pine Hill Pet Retreat, Piedmont Technical College, Newberry County Career Center, Wishbone Landscapes, LLC, English Tree Service & Land Management, Neeley Farm, LLC, County of Newberry, Mike & Elaine Riefsynder.
Reach Kelly Duncan at 803-768-3122 ext. 1867 or kduncan@championcarolinas.com.