Ohio State University Extension’s Good Nature Garden Partners met Aug. 21 for their annual Harvest Party. GNGP is a collaboration between OSU Extension, Mahoning County and local youth programs.

Each year, youth team up with a trusted and knowledgeable adult(s) to form a Growing Team to tend to an urban garden for the growing season. OSU Extension in Mahoning County provided each Growing Team with starter materials — including seeds, transplants and a soil test — to help kick-start their gardens

These Growing Teams participated in the summer Veggies and More Tour events which took place Monday nights throughout the summer across the city of Youngstown. These tours highlighted community gardens and urban farms to help youth learn more about growing vegetables, flowers and herbs.

The Harvest Part was the end of summer celebration when Growing Teams were recognized for all their hard work. The party was held near the gardens and apple orchard at St. Pat’s Church in Youngstown.

Before the Harvest Party, teams were given details on different categories for judging the vegetables, flowers and herbs that youth have grown in the groups’ garden so far in the year. Each Growing Team prepared their finest produce, flowers and herbs for the judging event.

Categories included Best Plates of different vegetables and Dress Up Vegetables, and any entry that was made also had a chance of winning Best of Show. Entries were judged on uniformity, size and ripeness.

Judges for the Harvest Party contest were OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers Pinky Steffen and Pam Baytos. These expert gardeners have years of experience growing and have grand gardens at their own homes.

“Sharing my passion of gardening with youth is such a rewarding experience,” Baytos said. “I love to see these kids get so excited about what they have grown after they have tended to their gardens all summer long.”

Congratulations to the youth who participated this year. First place winners for each category were:

• Best Plate of Peppers: Little Nature Gardeners.

• Best Plate of Tomatoes: Southside Growing Eagles;

• Best Plate of Cucumbers: Junior Master Gardeners.

• Best Plate of Beans: Grandma’s Gardeners.

• Best Plate of the Rainbow: Junior Master Gardeners.

• Other Vegetables: Junior Master Gardeners.

• Dress up the Vegetables: Little Nature Gardeners.

• My Favorite: Junior Master Gardeners.

• Flowers: Junior Master Gardeners.

• Herbs: Junior Master Gardeners;.

• Best of Show: Little Nature Gardeners (best plate of peppers).ß

• Little Nature Gardeners (dress up a vegetable), Junior Master Gardeners (herbs).

For more information on the Good Nature Garden Partners program and how to join for 2024, visit mahoning.osu.edu under the 4-H Youth Development tab or call OSU Extension at 330-533-5538. In addition to youth participants, adult volunteers are welcome to start a new team in their area.