The Midlands STEM 4-H Club is buzzing with excitement as they celebrate the opening of their brand-new Pollinator Garden, a hands-on project designed to support local ecosystems while giving youth a chance to learn, grow, and make a lasting impact in their community.
The garden, created and maintained by club members, is filled with pollinator-friendly plants chosen to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. Through this project, 4-H youth are gaining firsthand experience in environmental stewardship, science, and sustainable gardening practices—all while creating a welcoming space for pollinators that play a critical role in food production and biodiversity.
As part of their preparation, club members visited Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, where they learned about the importance of garden design and plant selection from the horticulture staff. They then applied what they learned to design and plant their own space, making the garden both a learning laboratory and a meaningful contribution to the community.
The school community came together, joined by members of the wider community, to celebrate the official opening of the garden. As part of the festivities, students released butterflies that had been raised in classrooms participating in the Fairfield 4-H Embryology Program, symbolizing growth, transformation, and the positive impact of youth-led projects.
The Pollinator Garden will serve as an outdoor classroom for the club, providing opportunities for lessons in biology, ecology, and agriculture. It also stands as a symbol of the club’s commitment to community involvement, as the space will be open for others to visit and enjoy.
The Midlands STEM 4-H Club thanks all volunteers, families, and community partners who supported the development of the garden. With their help, this project has truly taken root, and the club looks forward to watching both the garden—and its young leaders—continue to flourish.
Martina Wicker, 4-H Youth Development Agent: mewick@clemson.edu | 864.985.2904
