August 14, 2009

This is day forty-four of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at Magnolia Nursing Home and Campus Technology Wilcox B.

Well, it's getting closer to the end stages of the Youth Garden Project and thus my duties as a research assistant will shortly be retired. However in the gloom of the steady approaching end we manage to hold everything together and stay on top of what matters and the values of this program. Such value is knowing that with a small idea and an even bigger self-determination and hardwork no goal is impossible.

On a side note, Morgan and I took a small road trip back to the nursing home to check on our green buddies. The plants are on schedule when it comes to their growth process. Soon the residents of the Nursing Home will be able to taste the labor and hardwork put into our green buddies. That will be a day to remember!

August 13, 2009

This is day forty-three of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at Magnolia Nursing Home.

Morgan and I took a road-trip over to Magnolia Nusing Home again today to discuss with the recreational director our volunteer schedules and procedures with the residents there.

FYI: I don't know that there had to be a TB skin test and orientation process needed before volunteering at a Nursing Home.

After we took care of the inside residential information, it was time to handle the outside garden and make sure the plants are provided all the necessary nutrients needed to survive in this Alabama weather.

August 12, 2009

This is day forty-two of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at Magnolia Nursing Home.



Pictured Left: Bloomed flower in the raised garden bed at Magnolia Nursing Home

Morgan, Ashton, and I constructed three raised garden beds in place in the rear at Magnolia Nursing Home located in Tuskegee, Alabama. Therefore, we visited the Home to make sure the flowers and vegetables are all doing wonderfully well; they are!


Raised garden beds are great for small plots of veggies and flowers. They keep pathway weeds from your garden soil, prevent soil compaction, provide good drainage and serve as a barrier to pests such as slugs and snails.By raising the soil level, raised beds also reduce back strain when bending over to tend the bed.

August 11, 2009

This is day forty-one of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at Tuskegee University's Chambliss Building (old administration bldg) and garden field.

Ashton and I harvested Okra and Green Tomatoes from the field garden located on the rich soil of Tuskegee University. The initial task was to give Mr. Jackson some of the fresh, organic crops which was cultivated by the children of SafeHaven as well as us--the research assistants. We had an idea to use the popsicle stick basket I handmade to hold the vegetables to give them more of a gift basket type look.

You might be wondering, why Mr. Jackson? Well, Mr. Jackson has helped us as research assistants through-out this entire program as well as some other wonderful individuals in the Agriculture Department. It's many individuals who work behind-the-scences to allow us--research assistants--to idealize, perform, and complete the various tasks in the Youth Garden Project.

August 10, 2009

This is day forty of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at Tuskegee University's Chambliss Building (old administration bldg) and garden field.

Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) are annual plants native to the Americas, that possess a large inflorescence (flowering head). Sunflower stems can grow as high as 3m (10 ft), and the flower head can reach 30 cm (11.8 in) in diameter with large edible seeds. The term "sunflower" is also used to refer to all plants of the genus Helianthus, many of which are perennial plants.

Pictured Above: Sunflower plant before opening.

Ashton, Morgan, And I harvested some produce at the field garden and watered the crops at Magnolia Nursing Home.

Pictured Below: Sunflower plant after opening.

August 7, 2009

This is the thirty-ninth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at Tuskegee University's field/garden and the Safe Haven housing unit.


Ashton and I started set-up work on garden boxes at SafeHaven housing unit as Mr. Tramell assisted. Approximatley, a week ago, Morgan, Ashton and I moved six of the gardening boxes from the greenhouse to the SafeHaven housing unit as a solution to SafeHaven's transportation issue.

This solution will help allevate the inconvenience of trying to transport the children to Tuskegee University's Greenhouse every gardening day on time.

August 6, 2009

This is the thirty-eighth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at Tuskegee University's Chambliss Building (old administration bldg)and Greenhouse/Field Garden.

I completed a popsicle stick basket with top cover. In 1905, the Popsicle was invented by an eleven-year-old Frank Epperson. Frank Epperson was only 11 years old when he invented the originally named Epsicle. He had left his fruit flavored soda outside on the porch with a stir stick in it. The drink froze to the stick and tasted good. It took 18 more years in 1923 for Epperson to apply for a patent for a "frozen ice on a stick" called the Epsicle ice pop, which his children re-named the Popsicle.

In 1925, Frank Epperson sold his famous Popsicle to the Joe Lowe Company of New York. Good Humor now owns the rights to the Popsicle.

Twin Popsicles (two popsicles sticks together) were invented during the Great Depression.
Popsicle sticks were first made from Birch wood.

August 5, 2009

On this day, Antione Lamaunt Green was born to Lamaunt and Norma Green. I was not at work today and for a good reason. My nephew arrived in this world at 8:08 a.m. at East Baptist Hospital in Montgomery, Alabama weighing 6 pounds and 2 ounces. My nephew is the second child of my one and only sibling--my sister.

August 4, 2009

This is the thirty-seventh day of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at Tuskegee University's Chambliss Building (old administration bldg).

I had a meeting this morning with Ms. McArthur, Ashton, and Morgan to discuss the new group Ms. McArthur has added to Facebook to help future SOWK300 students to keep up with their assignments and other events going on through-out the school semester.

We also discussed:
*Fundraiser activites
*new projects for service learning

August 3, 2009

This is the thirty-sixth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was work at home for me.

After check-up on the Nursing Home garden, I work at home make Popsicle Stick Basket .

Popsicle stick crafts are a wonderful standby for creative projects in a hurry. They can bring up reminiscences of youth, and have been interpreted in so many different ways that project ideas seem endless. You need little or no crafting experience to create simple projects and most require minimal craft supplies for success.

Popsicle stick crafts have probably been around since the invention of the Popsicle in 1905. Frank Epperson was a child living in San Francisco, when he accidentally invented the frozen drink. After leaving his drink outside in freezing weather with a stir stick in it, he discovered he could eat his drink. He began selling Epsicles 18 years later and his children eventually changed the name to Popsicles. He sold his invention in 1925 and today it is owned by Good Humor.

July 29, 2009

This is the thirty-fifth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at Tuskegee University's Green house.


Watermelon is not only great on a hot summer day, this delectable thirst-quencher may also help quench the inflammation that contributes to conditions like asthma, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and arthritis. It's being touted as so healthful it should be stored in your medicine chest.

Sweet, juicy watermelon is packed with some of the most important antioxidants in nature. It is an excellent source of vitamin C, and is also a very good source of vitamin A, notably through its concentration of beta-carotene. These powerful antioxidants travel through the body neutralizing free radicals.

A watermelon's delectable flesh has no cholesterol and virtually no fat (almost none of which is saturated) — a stellar accomplishment for a food often served as a dessert at picnics. A whole cup of watermelon contains only 48 calories.

July 28, 2009

This is the thirty-fourth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at Tuskegee University's Green house.

H-A-R-V-E-S-T TIME HAS COME AGAIN!
There was more fruits and vegetables to harvest this time. The crops ranged from watermelons to okras. Some of the other crops were the tomatoes and peppers.

July 21, 2009

This is the thirty-third day of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at one of the two City of Tuskegee Nursing Homes and Tuskegee University Green house.

What is a Nursing Home?
A residential facility for persons with chronic illness or disability, particularly older people who have mobility and eating problems. Also called a convalescent home, long-term care facility.

That's exactly where I started today's work task. The nursing home is Magnolia Haven and there they have 77 certified beds and 73 residents. For the resident we--research assistants--saw the need to establish a raised garden bed for the residents. The residents can view the plants outside their window 24 hours and 7 days of the week. We planted corn, watemelon, strawberry, okra, flowers, peas, and beans.

July 15, 2009

This is the thirty-second day of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at Tuskegee University Greenhouse.

GROWTH HAS BEGUN!
The Gourd has been used by man as far back as we can tell, since the very beginning. A gourd grew over Jonah to shade him from the heat as God used this vegetable to teach Jonah a lesson about forgiveness. Pottery and utensils dating back to prehistory may well have been fashioned and made after the shape and uses of gourds.

We are not going to be using the gourd to shade anyone but we will be using the gourds for a future project with the children of SafeHaven to make birdhouses and other decorative items.

July 10, 2009

This is the thirty-first day of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at Tuskegee University Greenhouse.

H-A-R-V-E-S-T TIME! Those are the words that explain one of today's task. After caring for the previously planted plants, the research assistant--Ashton and Morgan--and I were able to harvest corn. We gathered over eight full bags of this yellow, sweet corn. The hard work, patience, and time put into that part of the Youth Garden Project paid-off this day. It was a bigger benefit as we were able to donate the corn to the children of SafeHaven.

Pictured Above: a small frog I discovered on a leaf of the corn rows we were harvesting.

July 8, 2009

Today is the thirty day marker as a research assistant with the Youth Garden Project. It was a B-A-N-G!! Today's location was at the Lee County community garden and community market.

It was exciting and informative! The Lee County community garden gave me ideas of how to better support the position of the plants at Tuskegee University's Greenhouse--especially the tomato plants. I harvested okra, red and green tmatoes. I helped Ashton pick green tomatoes and we were allowed to take them home. "Yummy yummy in my tommy!" Before Ashton, Morgan, and I arrived at the garden, the junior interns harvested the squash. The food harvested at the community garden is taken to the food bank where is distributed among the qualified need-based citizens of Lee County.

At the community market, Ms. Elise Loft[market director]gave us a some brief background information on the market. She told us that qualified families that have a household of 2-3 indivduals can recieve 100 pounds worth of food. She also encourage to volunteer espcailly on Fridays and/or Saturdays because of the increase in traffic flow into the market on those days.

July 1, 2009

This is the twenty-ninth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at Tuskegee University Chambliss Building (old business bldg).

The YMCA program children meet once again with us for a few minutes of an arts & crafts session. The portrait the children was given to create was an image of any type of fruits, vegetables, and/or flowers. The activity was so engaging that some of the social work interns gave it a try. The end result was some amazing pieces the children created. The fun didn't stop there!

After the small art & crafts sessions the children was given an opportunity to engage in a game of Red Light, Green Light.

Later that same day, I created four ladybug rocks. I also attend the junior interns' seminar class that is scheduled from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM to make sure the interns' portfolios were organized properly and to make note of any missing materials.

June 30, 2009

This is the twenty-eighth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Greenhouse.

Ashton, Morgan and I went on an off-campus expedition to the community of Ridgewood to retrieve some bamboo wood to stake the tomato plants up properly for maximum production of tomatoes. Upon arrival back at the greenhouse and a quick overlook at how some of the other farmers stringed-up their plants, we proceeded work on our own plants. At first it was hard to get the bamboo wood to stand up straight and support the plants because we were digging the holes for them instead of nailing them into the ground. Through trial-in-error, some of the plants had their proper support system.

June 24, 2009

This is the twenty-seventh day of my research assistant role of the Youth Garden Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Greenhouse and Tuskegee University Chambliss Building (old business bldg).

Today we met with the children from SafeHaven to plant bell peppers and perform weed control on their boxes. The duration for their activity was a two hour period from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Later that same day, the junior interns and the other research assistants including myself met with the YMCA children to begin their activities of picture painting images of fruit, vegetables, and flowers. The age categories who had an opportunity to participate were the 5-6 and 9-10 year olds. After some of the children completed their activity that had an opportunity to engage in a game of red light-green light, duck-duck goose, and simon says. The duration of the YMCA children activity was approximatley two and a half hours long and this includes both of the two age categories.

Pictured Above: Summer Interns and children of SafeHAven

June 23, 2009

This is the twenty-sixth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Greenhouse and SafeHaven. Today was a continuation of our efforts to rid the fields of the weeds known as "nut grass." We were able to meet with the children of SafeHaven to discuss the future goals they intend to achieve with the Youth Garden Project. Ashton, Morgan and I proposed three questions to them:

1. Do you all want to continue with the Youth Garden Project?
Reply: Yes

2. What do you all want to sell?
Reply: lemonade, cupcakes, cookies, and brownies

3. What do you all want to do with the profits?
Reply: Go skating, swimming, and to the movies.

June 18, 2009

This is the twenty-fourth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg). I completed the YMCA children painted ladybug rock project by putting the black dots and goggly eyes on them.

June 17, 2009

This is the twenty-third day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg). It was the first day as a research assistant that I begun work with the Macon County YMCA chilren ages 5-14. Each age group had an opportunity to paint their own ladybug rock in their own individual style and uniqueness. It was interesting to find out that majority of the older children maintain their rock color to only one color. Majority of the younger children preferred to use more than two colors if not all the colors on their rock. Therefore, is it fair to say that you reach the pinnacle of your creativeness as a young child and when you get older it declines? The other part of the day was split into with planting either pumpkin or raddish seeds into small white seed trays.

June 16, 2009

This is the twenty-second day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Greenhouse. Today we worked on removing the weeds out of the fields where we planted varies crops such as okra, tomatoes, watermelons, etc. Mr. Raymond, a farm worker, explained to Ashton, Morgan, and I how to properly operate a tiller. A tiller is used during the cultivation process of loosening and digging the soil around growing plants. The tiller was very useful in removing more weeds from the roots of the soil than the hand power we were using.

Pictured Above: Ashton tilling the field and Mr. Raymond in the left background.

June 13, 2009

This is the twenty-first day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Macon County Farmers Market. The market second opened day is Saturdays. The first opened day is Wednesdays. I came to the market in hopes of finishing a task given to us by Deloris Coleman. As I stated in my blog on Wednesday [6/10/09], she wanted us to plant the tomato plants the children of the Youth Garden Project sold to her Wednesday, June 10, 2009. Her husband was at home during the time and he was able to give us the necessary tools needed to execute the planting of the tomato plants.

On the other hand, the children were able to sell all remaining tomato plants and made a profit of $200.00 total. The price rate of the tomato plants was: 1 plant for $5.00, 3 plants for $10.00, and 5 plants for $20.00.

June 10, 2009

This is the twenth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Macon County Farmers Market. Today was the BIG day that the children of the summer Youth Garden Project had an opportunity to use their business and marketing skills to sell their finished product: tomato plants. It was a tomato plant sell from 8:00 AM until 2:00 PM.

There was one customer who stood out from all the other customers, her name is Mrs. Deloris Coleman. Mrs. Coleman was a prinicple at Tuskegee Institute Middle School and has since retired from the Macon County School System. Mrs. Coleman doesn't stay far from the market and made a deal to buy three tomato plants from the children of the Youth Gardening Project if we would come to her home and plant them for her. Upon arrival at her home, her husband was gone and she couldn't locate her postdigger. Therefore, she asked us to come back another day.

On the other hand, the sales for today was outstanding when compared to standard turn-out of people at the market previous days maybe even months and years earlier.

The market manager, Mr. Pace made a very uplifting comment to our efforts to get more individuals to come to the market. He stated, "I haven't seen this many people at the market in a long time since I've been manager."

June 8, 2009

This is the nineteenth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg). I was introduced to two mentee from the one of many summer programs Tuskegee university offers. The program is called Agritrek. Chantal Nicholson is a senior from North Carolina and have plans to attend Tuskegee University and major in biology, psychology, or both. Edward Lee is a graduated senior from Ohio and he have plans to enlist in the armed services. I explained to them my job duties and showed them two of the projects we will be working with the children on. They had the opportunity to make their first and last name initial out of Plaster of Paris and they made Ladybug Rocks.
Pictured Above: the two mentee and one of the research assistants--Morgan Lewis--guiding over them.

June 5, 2009

This is the eighteenth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg) and other areas on campus. Special Delivery is the words that describe today's activity. The market basket were completed and ready to be distributed to it's proper owner--the buyer. The produce were fresh fruits and vegetables all hand grown by local farmer, Al Hooks. Mr. Hooks explained to Ashton and I the value and importance of farming. He went on to state that many individuals do not like to farm, working on a farm under an employer, or buy their produce from local farmers. That left me wondering, Why? Why people don't buy from their local farmers, work farms, or want to be hired by farmers? I ponder the thought that idea that is could be the new way American--especially black America--have been socialized. We are lead to believe quantity is more important than quality. This philosophy is deeply rooted in the McDonaldization of American society.
Pictured Left: several market baskets
Pictured Right: the children of a family who was donated a market basket.

June 4, 2009

This is the seventeenth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at Tuskegee University's Greenhouse. Ashton and I fertilized the children's boxes and made sure they were watered too. After the completion of the first task, we watered the plants inside the greenhouse as well. Greenhouses are very important because they help cultivated plants. They prevent pests, diseases, and other outside elements that might pose a danger to them. Although the temperature in Tuskegee University's greenhouse--probably many other greenhouses--are extremely hot the plants seem to love it. Greenhouses can allow certain crops to be grown year round such as lettuce and other vegetables. I often wonder were the idea of a greenhouse came about. After performing a quick search on Wikipedia, they mention a extensive history about the greenhouse but I will only share a few sentences on my blog: The idea of growing plants in environmentally controlled areas has existed since Roman times. The Roman emperor Tiberius ate a cucumber-like vegetable daily. The Roman gardeners used artificial methods (similar to the greenhouse system) of growing to have it available for his table every day of the year. Some old methods pass away but I glad the method of using the greenhouse did not!

June 3, 2009

This is the sixteenth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg) and the Tuskegee University's Greenhouse. The Youth Garden Project children arrived at the greenhouse bright and early this morning to start their day off with a few gardening skills. The other research assistants and I taught the children the importance of making sure they weed-out their garden properly to slow the growing process of the weeds down. Each child was responsible for "pulling weeds" out of their boxes. After the first garden task was completed, we walked down the road to the kids' other garden. This garden is larger then their 4 feet by 4 feet garden boxes. The weeds in the larger garden is maintained by the use of plastic, where the children make small holes to insert their seeds to grow. The kids planted sunflower and squash seeds.
After the children left, I finished what I started yesterday at the Chambliss building: making plaster molds. This time, I made the letters only; therefore, the children can paint their initials and have a take-home exhibit to showcase their painting skills.

June 2, 2009

This is the fifteenth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg). The task today was to find other activities for the youth garden project children to do. I was given the job of making plaster molds. OMG! It sounds easy but making plaster molds for the very first time was a little irritating to me. I wasted over half the plaster power because I miscalculated how fast plaster actually solidify. I made the plaster into a pancake batter mixture as directed by the instructions; however, when I went back into Chambliss to get another wooden mixer and came back the mixture was completely solid. I was extremely miffed! Through trial-and-error, the finished product turn put completely blemish-free.

June 1, 2009

This is the fourteenth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg). I finished getting my contract completed with all the necessary corrections. I would love to reflect thus far on the many things all the research assistants--including myself--have gotten completed. Although the work is sometimes muscle aching or even skin tanning, there's nothing as reassuring as to see the look in a young child's eyes that favors the fruit: watermelon, but have never planted a watermelon seed, watched it grow, or even harvested it. The Youth Garden Project gives children such as the one recalled in the previous sentence opportunities to do things they wouldn't have the resource or opportunity to do. I'm proud to be that individual who is apart of the process of helping the youth to use their inquisitive nature and the resources around them to developed their motor skills, logic of thinking, and creative moments to change their circumstances. We can learn a lot from the children who are part of Youth Gardening Project!

May 29, 2009

This is the thirteenth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg) and other areas on campus. Today was a very relaxed day for me. The task for today was to get my time-sheet completed and corrected for processing through the agriculture department. During the close of every month--excluding days that are on the weekend--we must completed our time-sheet. I also checked on the information to get my contract for this wonderful program extended.

May 28, 2009

This is the twelveth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University's Greenhouse The other three research assistants as well as myself finished planting varies seeds. We have five rows of soil used to plant crops for the Youth Garden Project. We planted gourds, cucumbers, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, watermelons, and okra. During harvesting time for the gourds, we will used them later for a bird-feeder project for the children.

May 27, 2009

Today In History: Ms. Mae Lean Jones lived four years of her remaining life with breast cancer before she got screened. She lived another four years knowing she had this deadly disease. That was nine years ago from this date. If, she was alive today she would be 57 years old with a birthday on the 21st of June. She left behind two wonderful children, and I was one of them. I love you, Momma!

Go get screened! Preventive care can help save lives!

This is the eleventh day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg). Today was another arts and crafts day. All the research assistants--including myself--had the opportunity to "Build-a-Bear," social work style. This activity we were practicing today was to help us to demonstrate to the children how they can create their own build-a-bear. Once I completed that particular task, I visited a few website Professor McArthur emailed us on how to make macrames. I practiced four different knots: square knot/square knot button, Half Knot Sennit, Josephine Knot, and the Alternating Double Half Hitch Knots.

May 26, 2006

This is the tenth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg). Can anyone say, "arts and crafts!" I can!! It was an awesome day that Ashton--one of the four research assistants--and I had the opportunity to sew varies texture of fabrics. I never used a sewing machine before, but I knew I was eager to find out how to use the machine through trial-and-error. Once I mastered the sewing machine. I knew it would be a great skill we could offer the Youth Garden Project children along with their current gardening skills. In hopes of maybe having a beneficial fashion show from the clothing the children will make. I ended the day with a fantastic, vibrant, and an original work of art: a pillowcase.

May 21, 2009

This is the ninth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg) and the Tuskegee university's Greenhouse. During the morning half of the day, I helped the other research assistants put the charts into the research paper about the Macon County Farmers Market. After lunch, we all went to the greenhouse to tie string around the tomato plants we planted yesterday and to check on the other crops in the children's boxes. I ended the day brainstorming about the children's garden that will soon be located on N Elm St. in downtown Tuskegee. I also helped get some of the binders ready for the children's journal who are current participants in the Youth Garden Program.

May 20, 2009

This is the eighth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg) and the Tuskegee university's Greenhouse. The morning portion of the day was spent planting rows of watermelon and tomato plants. Our professor, Ms. McArthur stated to us that rows of corn was planted by the scientists and they are dedicating it to the Youth Garden Project; therefore, all the crops produced from the plants can help benefit our program and the market as well.

I completed my first rough draft of the research paper from the Macon County Farmers Market surveys.

May 19, 2009

This is the seventh day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg). This day was very laid back than other days. I worked on the name tags we are going to have drilled on each child's garden box at the greenhouse. I painted the wooden bears and water-container varies colors such as: yellow, black, two different shades of pink, and red.

I also worked on the research paper from the Macon County Farmers Market surveys that was printed, copied, and distributed on previous days earlier.

May 18, 2009

This is the sixth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was traveling opportunities around the City of Tuskegee area. I, along with fellow research assistant Ashton Wells started the day getting the other inner-city residents' opinions and views on the Macon County Farmers Market in the form of a survey and Market Basket orders.

That experience was very interesting as we walked door-to-door of an apartment complex hoping to get our surveys completed. I felt that some people did not want to open their door in thinking we were Jehovah Witnesses. In spite of the false speculation, Ashton and I were able to have all the surveys completed.

On a good note, Ashton and I were able to have an advertisement of the Market Baskets in the Local newspaper free of charge. The paper "The Tuskegee News" will be available on stands around the Macon County area on Thursday, 21 May 2009.

May 15, 2009

This is the fifth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at Tuskegee University's Greenhouse. The children of Safehaven come every Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. I assist the children in planting their seeds, caring for them, and how to harvest their gardens. The children enjoy working together, knowledge about a variety of foods, and have fun at the same time.

May 14, 2009

This is the fourth day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at Tuskegee University Campus Technology [Wilcox B]. All the research assistants including myself and professor McArthur met in one of the computer labs to put the Macon County Farmers Market Newsletter into its vibrant, creative, and new template along with new information to be added. Our task for today was to have as many surveys completed as possible. Ashton and I completed 61 Macon County Farmers Market Surveys by the staff, workers, several patients at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System in Tuskegee, Alabama.

Some of the reactions I received from this experience was that many individuals at CAVHCS never heard of the Macon County Farmers Market let alone knew Macon County has one. The behavior of the respondents having to fill-out a 23 questioned, double-sided survey was very negative. Once I explained to them: who I was, what the survey was about, and the benefits from a program such as the youth garden project, the respondents behavior totally changed to a more positive one. I realized and came to the conclusion that most staff personnel, workers, or patients did not want to write; therefore, I volunteered--with their consent--to ask the questions and write their corresponding answers to each question. I came across people from other areas outside of the Macon County region and they simply did not want to take the survey, but I gave them several flyers about the upcoming Youth Garden Project:Tomato Sale on June 10, 2009 at 8:00AM-2:00PM.

This experience allowed me to see that the awareness of the Macon County Farmers Market is by "word of mouth." Hopefully, when the newsletter is printed and distributed it will open the door-way for other entities of the market to be known by the more citizens of Macon County and various local areas as well.

May 13, 2009

This is the third day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg) and the Macon County Farmers Market. We all meet with Mr. Pace--the coordinator of the market--to discuss some of the upcoming ideas to promote the awareness of the local farmer's market. The agenda for today was to complete the monthly newsletter for the Macon County Farmers Market and articles related to gardening with the elderly, youth, and farmers market. I worked along side the other research assistants--Aminat Babalola, Sarethia Grant, Ashton Wells--to complete the monthly newsletter. My newsletter contributions included the sections: Recipe and Meet The Farmer. We each picked an entity that we will contribute to the Macon County Farmers Market website. I am responsible for supplying a list of weekly produce that will be offered at the market each week. The other research assistants including myself completed ten articles on the topics of gardening with the elderly, community gardening, gardening with children, and farmers market.

May 12, 2009

This is the second day of my research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University Chambliss Building(old business bldg). I worked along side the other research assistants--Aminat Babalola, Sarethia Grant, Ashton Wells--to organize the room occupied with material in implementing the successful youth after-school program. We will be using this room to instruct, share knowledge, and help the current youth with the summer gardening project. We finished organizing the complete room; therefore the materials can be easily recovered because of the neatly sectioned-off binds of various items.

May 11, 2009

This day began my official research assistant role of the Youth Gardening Project. Today's location was at the Tuskegee University greenhouse. I transported the smaller tomato plants into the children boxes; therefore, I had to weed out the boxes before planting the tomatoes. After completing some of the children boxes, I helped the other research assistants--Aminat Babalola, Sarethia Grant, Ashton Wells--pot the white seed trays which we will later be seeded with cantaloupe, flowers, okra, and radish. We finished filling the remaining black medium-sized pots with the larger tomato plants.