Fort Wayne, Ind. – This Saturday, the city will honor a remarkable milestone: the 100th anniversary of the Grow It! School Plant Program. For a full century, the program has placed a living plant in the hands of kindergarten through fourth‑grade students, teaching responsibility, commitment, and a love of nature.
Hundreds of seedlings, dozens of young gardeners
Lawton Park Greenhouse staff prepared and distributed 17,000 healthy seedlings to participating schools this spring. The seedlings travel to classrooms across the city, where children care for them throughout the growing season. At the end of the season, students showcase their thriving plants in school‑level competitions that feed into the citywide Blue Ribbon Show.
Celebration at McMillen Park Community Center
The centennial celebration will be held Saturday at the McMillen Park Community Center, beginning at 2:30 p.m. Sixty‑two student gardeners will present their plants, share what they have learned, and enjoy a day of community fellowship. Families, teachers, and local volunteers are invited to attend and cheer the young horticulturists.
Why the program matters
Beyond the simple joy of watching a seed sprout, Grow It! provides a practical lesson in stewardship. By caring for a living thing, children develop patience, accountability, and an appreciation for the environment—values that align with the traditions of strong families and faith‑based communities. The program also supports local schools by offering a low‑cost, curriculum‑aligned activity that complements science and health education.
Community support and future growth
Local businesses, parent groups, and the Fort Wayne Parks Department have long backed the initiative. Their continued partnership ensures that the program can expand to reach more classrooms in the years ahead. Organizers hope the centennial event will inspire additional volunteers and donors, securing the program’s legacy for another hundred years.
How to get involved
Parents and educators who wish to join the Grow It! effort can contact the Lawton Park Greenhouse or the Fort Wayne Parks Department for enrollment information. The program welcomes new schools each spring, and community members are encouraged to volunteer at planting events, garden tours, or the upcoming celebration.
As Fort Wayne marks this historic anniversary, the Grow It! School Plant Program stands as a testament to the power of hands‑on learning, community collaboration, and the timeless values of responsibility and care for God‑given creation.
Original reporting: WOWO News/Talk (Fort Wayne) — read the source article.
