Sowing Seeds youth program transplanted to Walking Mountains Science Center

AVON — The Vail Valley Foundation announced that the Sowing Seeds program transferred to a new home with Walking Mountains Science Center on Aug. 15.

Sowing Seeds introduces young students in Eagle County to the world of gardening, healthy eating and environmental stewardship. Originally conceived by celebrity chef Kelly Liken, it has been owned and managed by the Vail Valley Foundation’s YouthPower365 since its inception seven years ago.

“Sowing Seeds is a program which operates during the school day, whereas the focus of YouthPower365 is in extended learning after school and in summer,” said Mike Imhof, president and CEO of the Vail Valley Foundation. “Although the Sowing Seeds program is exceptional, we felt transferring it to Walking Mountains better aligns with their mission then ours and allows us to remain focused on the needed growth and powerful results of PwrUp, PwrHrs and PwrOn initiatives.”

The program integrates with Walking Mountains’ mission and goals, said Markian Feduschak, president of Walking Mountains.

“Sowing Seeds is the ideal way to introduce young people to the inner workings of natural science,” Feduschak said. “Young people naturally gravitate toward plants and soil, and by nurturing that instinct and structuring the experience, our kids in Eagle County are coming away with the foundational knowledge that will create our next generation of great gardeners, botanists, biologists and most importantly, environmental stewards.”

Sowing Seeds program coordinator Shawna Wood will also be joining the Walking Mountains’ team to continue running the program. Learn more about this and other Walking Mountains programs at http://www.walkingmountains.org.