GRAFTON, N.D.—A program meant to teach finance has taken root here—literally, and is being featured this week in CUToday.info’s The Corner to make clear leadership can come from any corner of the credit union community.
Called “Seeds-2-Save,” the program encourages people to help children learn how to manage a garden and in turn to also lean to manage a budget, as well.
The project was initiated by Nanci Wilson, member service manager at North Star Community Credit Union. The seeds for the idea were planted after Wilson returned from the National Credit Union Foundation’s Development Education (DE) program, which teaches the history and philosophy of credit unions, and calls on participants to then put those in action.
According to the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas (CUAD), the first to put the Seeds-2-Save project into practice is the Seeds Crew of Girl Scout Troop 20013. Multiple businesses in the area have donated land and supplies to help the project blossom, the CUAD reported.
"It is truly amazing to see all of these different entities come together for one common goal, and that common goal is to save money for these kids," Wilson told the CUAD.
Wilson told the CUAD that she has always had a passion for children, so she wanted to include them in the project.
"I came up with a tagline—teaching our youth to nurture their funds to a bountiful growth," Wilson said, according to the league’s report, adding she asked herself what she could do to help children visually see their funds growing. "It kind of grew from there."
The 'True Point'
She then contacted a local Girl Scout troop to see if they would be the pilot group for Seeds-2-Save. When the Girl Scouts said yes, Wilson contacted businesses for donations. Grafton Floral donated seeds and land to plant the crops, Caribou Coffee in Grafton donated coffee grounds that would enrich the soil, and the local farmer's market said it would allow the children to sell the produce for free, the CUAD reported.
"My true point of this program was to involve as many community links as I could," Wilson said.
According to the CUAD, those participating in Seeds-2-Save have met to learn about gardening. They also have visited the garden with a list of plants and seeds to "hunt" for, she said. The crops are now planted.
Along with encouraging the people-helping-people philosophy, the process was meant to teach children the responsibilities of financially planning out a project with a goal of making a profit, Wilson said told the CUAD.
"Finances are so important, and you have to take responsibility and accountability for your financial future," she said. "I wanted them to know it takes hard work. When they signed up for this, I let them know this is their garden, their baby."