Baker Farm Hands will be in Harter Union during lunch this week through Thursday handing out adopt-a-seedling kits in anticipation of Earth Day.

“We really wanted to do something special on campus in celebration of Earth Day and we thought this would be a really fun way to involve all the students, faculty and staff who wanted to take part,” Tanya Sieber, Baker Farm Hands adviser, said.

The adopt-a-seedling kit includes instructions, a jiffy pot, starting soil and a choice of five different herbs to plant in the pot. The choices of herbs include chives, basil, parsley, thyme and cilantro. The project is also a way for Baker Farm Hands to involve students and faculty on campus in the process of growing food and helping out the environment.

“You can chose the herbs you want then plant your seeds in the soil, then keep them moist and nurture them over the next three weeks,” Sieber said. “They should germinate within a week or so, and then they will grow into happy baby little plants.”

Those who participate in adopt-a-seedling can return their plants to dining services the week following Earth Day, which is April 23-27. Baker farm hands will transplant those herbs in their plot at the Baldwin community garden. These herbs will then be used in Baker’s dining hall.

“This is a great way to connect the students to the process of life,” Baker Farm Hands President Sam Beecher said. “They will start the plant and then they will eventually eat it as it will be in the food in our dining hall.”

Those who want to help Baker Farm Hands transplant the plants in the community garden are welcome. More details about helping out with the planting will be sent out by email.