What defines an Eagle Scout? Since 1911 when the Boy Scouts of America began, only 4% of the boys have earned this rank, after a lengthy review process, so it is a big deal! It is the highest ranking in the Boy Scouts of America.
Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges, 14 of which are mandatory for the award. The Eagle Scout must demonstrate Scout Spirit, which is an ideal attitude based upon the Scout Oath and Law, service and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that is the responsibility of the scout to plan, organize, lead and manage. Eagle Scouts are presented with a badge and a medal that visibly recognizes the accomplishment of the scout.
Benjamin Dierks has chosen a project that will help our small community by building a "Pollinator Garden" at the Wanamingo Community Gardens. As many of you are aware, pollinator numbers in the United States are decreasing. It is important for all of us to pitch in and do what we can to increase the population of bees, beetles, butterflies, flies, wasps, moths, and even mosquitos. This is crucial to our survival as a species, because without our pollinators, we have no food. The causes of this decrease are pesticides used on our crops, habitat loss as we continue to destroy their habitat with developments, and diseases as the climate changes. So, what Benjamin is doing with this project is giving the bugs a place to thrive.
I asked him what caused this decision for his project?
Benjamin is also a member of the Goodhue County 4H, in the yellow class, which is a leadership program across the United States. "We went to Morris, Mn to help the community build a pollinator garden with vegetables and flowers for their town. In 4H, we help others with projects, and it is a lot of fun. I took a picture of their garden, surrounded by rocks with a tower of rocks in the middle, and felt it would be a great project for my Eagle Scout badge." Benjamin's design is a triangle with rocks around the perimeter, and stepping stones going through the garden. There will be signs telling what the plants are, and how they help the environment. Benjamin's dad, Eric, added that they are going to try to put in the indigenous plants that thrive here. Eric has been studying the plants, too, through a Minnesota Master Naturalist Volunteer program through the University of Minnesota, so I know it will be a lovely plot of ground when they are done. They have been meeting with the Master Gardners of Goodhue County to help them decide what the best pollinator plants are for this area.
Today, September 14th, they broke ground, and laid out the triangle. They used the Community Garden's tiller to till the soil after removing the first layer of grass. Next week on the 21st, they are going to be laying out the perimeter of the garden with rocks they find, and are hoping some folks will come down to the gardens from noon to 4 pm to make stepping stones and get involved with the project. It takes a community, Folks! Just give Eric a call at 507-321-1967 to let them know you will be there so they can have drinks and snacks ready for you! Good Luck on your project, Benjamin! We will continue to monitor the progress of the project, so stay tuned!
