Discovery Southeast campers observe and paint fireweed growing in the garden of Kashdigow Heen Primary School in June 2024. (Photo courtesy of Discovery Southeast)
Joel Voss is a local Master Gardener who divides his time between his business, his work as a naturalist with Discovery Southeast, and serving on the board of directors for the Juneau Community Garden.
On this week's Garden Talk, Voss spoke with KTOO's Chloe Plesnak about outdoor programs for kids and how everyone can get involved in community gardening.
Much of Boss' work is centered around the Juneau Community Garden in Mendenhall Valley, a job he describes as standing on the shoulders of Juneau's horticultural giants.
“The people who laid the foundation and who still serve on the board and continue to maintain the gardens are truly heroes in our community,” he said. “If you've never been to Montana Creek Road Community Garden, you should definitely go. It's the closest thing to a farm in town.”
A Discovery Southeast camper weeds around potato seedlings in one of the Juneau Community Garden's charity plots in June 2023. (Photo courtesy of Discovery Southeast)
Boss also works to introduce children to gardening through Discovery Southeast's free and fee-based programs.
“The kids get to explore the garden, see everything that's growing, taste it, help with weeding and tending the plot,” Boss says, “and sometimes even harvest, which we donate to charity.”
This summer's camp is already full, but interested youth can attend after-school programs this fall or camp next summer.
For Boss, it's rewarding to see the Discovery Southeast campers become settled and comfortable in these natural environments.
Discovery Southeast campers harvested, tasted and took home kale plants for their families in the garden at Kashdigow Heen Elementary School on June 27, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Discovery Southeast)
“Every once in a while, there's a moment when all the kids are working, all quiet, all silently weeding, looking at insects, touching petals,” he says. “It's just a magical moment.”
People can sign up for the waiting list for a plot at the Juneau Community Garden online at juneaucommunitygarden.org. Voss said it usually takes about a year for the waiting list to turn over. For more information about the youth outdoor programs offered by Discovery Southeast year-round, visit their website at discoverysoutheast.org.
Voss encourages anyone interested in the Juneau Community Garden to attend the 29th annual Harvest Fair on Aug. 19 to purchase locally grown produce for charity, meet other gardeners and stroll through the three-acre garden.
