Jefferson County Extension plans ‘Clover Crate’ program

FAIRFIELD – Jefferson County ISU Extension and Outreach has had great participation in its 'Clover Crate” summer program, and it's planning to extend it as an after-school activity this fall.

Clint Mercer, the Extension office's youth outreach educator and Master Gardener coordinator, said his office distributed 1,000 4-H 'On the Go” lessons over the summer, and a similarly impressive number of Clover Crates, a packet of craft materials kids can do at home since the Extension office was not holding in-person programming.

Since that went over so well, Mercer is planning another round of take-home activity packets kids can do after school.

The program is divided into two age groups, one for kindergarten and first-graders and the other for fifth- through eighth-graders.

Participants receive one packet of materials every month for four months, each one on a different subject. Mercer said agriculture will be the common theme that ties the activities together.

For instance, the first round of packets will be on earthworms. Children will receive educational materials telling them about the value earthworms provide to the soil, as well as pots, soil, seeds, art supplies, a worm journal, and for the younger kids, six to 10 live worms.

Kids will make their own worm composting bin with water bottles. Mercer said it will teach the kids about how worms break down organic matter in the soil.

Registration for the program is open and lasts through Sept. 11. Mercer said he will disperse the kits the following week, by allowing parents to pick them up at the Extension office and by putting them at various drop-off locations.

There is a cost to register, and 4-H members will receive a discount on their registration.

Mercer said he likes the idea of extending the Clover Crate program into the school year, because it allows kids to do hands-on activities in a safe manner. He said he's had to adapt the materials so the kids can do the projects on their own, as opposed to doing them in a large group like they normally would.

For example, instead of asking the kids to supply three 2-liter bottles to house the soil, he's downsized that requirement to 20 oz bottles. Instead of having the kids make giant 'Save the Worm” posters on chart paper, he's having them do it on smaller construction paper.

Mercer said he's still planning the other three lessons this fall, but he knows the next will be on seeds. The others 'will be a surprise,” he said.

Mercer said there are a limited number of Clover Crates, so participation numbers are being capped at 40 for each age group. The program is open to children in Jefferson County.