Prosperity is starting to become a reality on North 1st Street, Champaign, albeit in subtle ways. Through a collaboration between several agencies, the City, and the farmers market, area youth will get the chance to earn some money, as well as how to earn it in the future through a youth garden located next to the farmers market.

Youth aged 13 to 18 who are involved in the Don and Moyers Boys & Girls Club JUMP program will get the chance to plant and tend to several gardens, learn about the how to harvest and cook the food as well as sell the extra at their very own booth at the farmers market. Sonya Lynch of the Boys & Girls Club is overseeing the project, along with the coordinator for the gardens, Janet Broughton.

The garden is the result of the collaborative efforts that have included Val McWillliams, directing attorney for Land of Lincoln, David Freeman, Master Gardener, Sandra Mason, Unit Educator with the U of I Extension, Sonya Lynch, Coordinator of the JUMP program, TJ Blakeman, Planner with the City of Champaign, and Darlene  Kleoppel of the Regional Planning Commission.

The project includes several gardens in the Champaign-Urbana area. The one located next to the farmers market is the smallest, however, it will be the most visible so everyone can enjoy and learn from it. It will involve several raised beds, flowers around the perimeter, and a sign detailing all the sponsors for the project. So when you come to the farmers market, but sure to take a short side trip and take a stroll through the garden.


PHOTOS of the Garden