NLI at the NEAFCS Annual Session

NLI at the NEAFCS Annual Session

Mid-September, enthusiastic cooperative extension professionals, interested in early childhood gardening and healthy eating toured the gardens and play and learning settings at A Safe Place Child Enrichment Center, Raleigh, NC. From across the US to attend the 2022 National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) conference, the group engaged in an afternoon-long discussion with center staff and hopefully left fully convinced that on-site, hands-on gardening in support of healthy eating, is a viable, cost-effective proposition.

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National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) group with local hosts (upper row, fourth from left, Robin Moore, NLI; Alberta (Alle) Forney, owner of A Kind Garden; Kim Shaw, owner of A Safe Place; lower row, second from left, Bria Sledge, NLI).

Kim Shaw (far right), A Safe Place owner, with tour participants in the outdoor classroom, describing the underserved community context and years of collaboration with NLI to create the high quality outdoor environment of today.

Gathering in Elizabeth’s Garden (named after Kim’s mother), talking about how fresh produce is harvested and served to the children each day.

Alberta (Alle) Forney, gardening collaborator (Ms. “green thumb,” center, white top against fence), talking about the winter garden just installed with children.