Local children had the opportunity to do what kids love to do this week — get their hands dirty. 

But this time, getting dirt under their nails and on their knees was educational, thanks to the Georgia Southern University Children's Vegetable Garden program. The ongoing program is free and open to all children from kindergarten through fifth grade every Tuesday, from 4 to 5 p.m., through May 1.

Participants in the program learn about the timing involved in planting different crops each week, as well as how feeding the soil feeds  the plants so they can grow healthy. Each session builds from one lesson to the next, and offers learning and gardening activities, as well as games.

During this week's session, the young gardeners were able to taste some of what they had planted — a kale salad with ranch dressing. 

"If you grow it, you have to taste it!" said Kathy Tucker, educational coordinator.