Preschoolers present their artwork to Supervisor Dianne Jacob |
With the snip of the scissors, an
intergenerational garden at Cuyamaca College was officially dedicated Tuesday
with a “vine-cutting” ceremony led by county, college and college district
officials, who touted the site’s educational and health benefits to East
County.
Funded in part by a $25,000 grant
from the county’s Health and Human Services Agency, the garden is a 1/3-acre
plot between the Child Development Center and the Water
Conservation Garden that is well on its way to produce a bountiful crop of produce
at a site made possible by not only by the efforts of eight senior volunteers –
the “Gardening Grannies” -- but several community groups and vendors.
For the children, ages 2-5, the
intent of the garden is to teach good nutrition to a population accustomed to
diets heavy on processed foods. For the seniors, it’s a healthy outdoor
activity and an opportunity to connect with kids.
“What a wonderful concept – our older
generation working with and teaching the youngest generation who are here at
Cuyamaca College in our early-childhood program,” said Chancellor Cindy L.
Miles, who joined college President Mark J. Zacovic in holding the length of
vine cut by Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who represents East County. “Not only do
the generations interact, our youngest ones get to know about gardening and
teamwork and about healthy eating. With today’s problems of childhood obesity
and our kids not knowing where our foods come from – this is a very beautiful
opportunity to address these issues.”
Supervisor Dianne Jacob cuts the vine held by Chancellor Cindy Miles and Cuyamaca College president Mark Zacovic |