A joint program of Shawano County 4-H and the Shawano County Association for Home and Community Education (HCE) is giving first-graders a chance to learn about plant life.
The Patti Pumpkin Seed Program started in 1983, and since then 10,589 first-graders have received pumpkin seeds.
“It’s just one of the many things we do,” said Sandy Wendorff, who is on the executive board of HCE.
More than 600 children in Shawano County schools, including Bonduel, Gresham, Bowler, Marion, Tigerton, Birnamwood, Wittenberg and Pulaski, will be given six seeds each this year, courtesy of Jim and Patty Schweitzer, owners of South Forty.
Wendorff got the seeds, counted them out, and either delivered them or mailed them to the schools.
She recently brought seeds to Hillcrest Primary School in Shawano, where her grandson is in Lauren Hoffman’s class.
Patti Pumpkin Seed gives the kids the chance to plant pumpkin seeds, nurture them and show their harvest at the Shawano County Fair.
Wendorff said many parents don’t realize their children can show the pumpkins at the fair until they see them on display in the Junior Fair Building.
The program gives the teachers the chance to teach the youngsters about plant life.
“Our class really enjoyed planting pumpkin seeds,” Hoffman said. “It was a great enrichment to our plant unit we are currently studying.”
The children start the plants in smaller containers and transplant them in prepared soil, or in a garden prepared by their parents or grandparents.
The kids will learn about keeping the soil moist by watering, especially on a hot summer day.
“All students enjoyed the activity and some were excited about entering their future pumpkins in the county fair,” Hoffman said. “The Home and Community Education program and the South Forty of Shawano were able to help our classroom bring planting to life.”
Each student got a letter about caring for their pumpkins along with an entry form for the fair. The students can exhibit a pumpkin at any stage of maturity, even if they are still green, in three categories—pumpkin, decorated pumpkin and most unique pumpkin. Entries must be made by Aug. 22.
“Some pumpkins are so big,” Wendorff said.
For more information, call the University of Wisconsin-Extension office at 715-526-6136.
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