Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Youth Programs Gardening topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Perris recognizes 24 youth who completed 2025 Junior Master Gardener summer program
Summary
The City of Perris recognized 24 youth who completed an eight‑week Junior Master Gardener program. Students helped restore raised beds at Perris Green City Farm, participated in field trips to Lake Perris and the Western Science Center, and assisted in the Mayor's Alliance Pack a Smile backpack giveaway.
The City of Perris honored 24 youth on Aug. 26, 2025, who completed the eight‑week 2025 Junior Master Gardener summer program. The Public Services Department presented certificates to Level 1 and Level 2 participants and recognized returning volunteers and leaders.
Public Services staff said the cohort learned horticulture, urban farming and community service skills. Participants restored and painted raised garden beds at the Perris Green City Farm, applied weather‑resistant paint to protect wood, and supported the city’s first Pack a Smile backpack giveaway. The program included field trips to Lake Perris State Recreation Area and the Western Science Center and a visit to the regional landfill to learn about composting and recycling.
Two student speakers described their experience. Kimberly Perez, a rising seventh grader and Level 1 participant, said the program taught “what a plant needs and the water cycle,” and helped her understand the role of pollinators: “We learned about seeing things from a different perspective like a bee's point of view and the impact they have on a garden.” Ethan Abad (listed in the record as Ethan Ibarra), a Level 2 participant, said the program covered soil texture and structure, plant parts, soil improvements and composting; he noted the group helped prepare more than 600 backpacks for the Pack a Smile giveaway.
The council and mayor congratulated participants, volunteers and parents. Staff presented one special volunteer‑leader certificate to Alejandro Flores for serving as the 2025 Junior Master Gardener certified JMG volunteer leader in his third year.
City staff invited participants and families to a post‑presentation photo and said the program will continue to be part of the city’s youth services offerings.
