News & Updates

By Lindy Magness (Environmental Education Assistant '21) and Nichole Barrows (Director of Education) Exciting things are growing at Dixon Education Center! As part of Project GROWS' continued partnership with Dixon this calendar year, we have focused on the goal of...

by Ann Snyder Co-chair, Project GROWS Board of Trustees September 1, 2021 Dear Friends and Partners, We write to you today with news of significant change at GROWS. Executive Director, Tom Brenneman, has decided to step away from his role as of September 30, 2021. We...

By Lauren Dessaure, Virginia Tech Dietetic Student and Virginia Cooperative Extension SNAP-Ed intern What is a Farmer’s Market? A farmer's market, by definition, is a food market where local farmers sell fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy products, and other locally...

By Garrett P., 2021 Youth Leader in Ag (Summer Youth Staff), Staunton High School ’23 Project GROWS is a really nice experience. I would recommend it to anyone who likes to be outside in nature—you can learn about all the different plants and when to harvest and plant...

By Kyra H., 2021 Youth Leader in Ag (Summer Youth Staff), Staunton High School ’23 After getting major spine surgery and relearning how to walk, I wouldn’t have expected myself to start working at a farm. I love the environment here. Everyone is so respectful of...

By Seth Z., 2021 Youth Leader in Ag (Summer Youth Staff), Staunton High School ’22 I began this job at the beginning of June with my fellow staff. I feel I have developed some important skills for farming and in general. Although it is a paid job, it can sometimes...

By Rosie C., 2021 Youth Leader in Ag (Summer Youth Staff), Fort Defiance High School ’22 Growing plants has always been an interest of mine since I started keeping a small backyard garden with my mom when I was younger. I heard about Project GROWS by attending a...

By Colby S., 2021 Youth Leader in Ag (Summer Youth Staff), Staunton High School ’22 This summer, instead of staying at home to sleep, play video games, and watch TV, I decided I wanted to work with Project GROWS. I did this for the original reason of wanting to get...

By Patricia W., 2021 Youth Leader in Ag (Summer Youth Staff), Staunton High School '22 I've gone to Staunton High School, and COVID-19 has made it difficult to prepare for college. That's why I was enthusiastic to apply when my guidance counselor, Mrs. Pleskonko,...

by Fiona McGhee, Spring 2021 Youth Leader in Agriculture If you had told me a year ago that volunteering on a farm at the end of a global pandemic would be my favorite activity of the week, I would have given you a quizzical look and walked away. Watching things grow...