By Susan Murphy
Published May 17, 2011 on
San Diego County will offer free gardening classes as part of an initiative to improve health and combat obesity. The hope is for people to eat healthier by learning to grow their own fruits and vegetables and incorporate them into healthy meals.
San Diego County officials and community leaders announced the initiative at the Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center in National City — one of the five sites chosen to offer classes starting in June. Director Amy Constensen said the center has only been open for a year, but already it’s thriving.
“In our first year we had more than 2,400 student visits, primarily from 4th, 5th and 6th graders in the National City School District. And what’s surprising is we had 2,200 adult visits as well,” said Constensen. “So this is an issue that really is exciting people; and they’re curious. They want to learn more, and the kids keep coming back.”