Davidson IB students (from left) Avery McGuirt, Jesse Bradfield and Chris Cookhorne mulch tomatoes in a garden at Ada Jenkins Center.

The Davidson Elementary PTA has given funds to purchase a tent and table for a “Growing Kids” project at the Davidson Farmer’s Market this summer and fall. The booth will be open to any child or family in the area with home-grown fruits, vegetables or home-picked berries. The booth will have space for a two young farmers. Market organizers are asking kids to sign up for a slot by the Monday before any Saturday market

The Davidson Farmer’s Market is in its first season, with sales every Saturday through October, 8 a.m. to noon, off Main Street next to Town Hall.

PTA volunteers and market organizers say they’re looking for kids who have grown produce in their own gardens.

Kids will set their own prices, provide their own signs and manage their own businesses. Organizers also ask that a parent be present as well.

Organizers say they won’t put any restrictions on what the young farmers will do with the money they earn. “But of course we would encourage the children to give back to the community. Extra produce may also be donated to Mooresville Soup Kitchen which picks up at close of the market,” the organizers said in an email announcing the project.

The Growing Kids project builds on gardening already underway at the schools.

Mary Jane Leach, a co-chair of the Davidson Farmer’s Market, said the booth also will be open to students from the Davidson IB Middle School who are growing a garden at Ada Jenkins Center, on Gamble Street. The main purpose of that garden, which is being coordinated by teacher Cameron Swallow, is to provide fresh produce for Ada Jenkins’ Loaves and Fishes pantry. But students will be able to sell any surplus at the “Growing Kids” booth.

Besides the IB School project students at Davidson Elementary have also been tending gardens outside their classrooms. “My daughter’s class grew lettuce this year,” said Mary Jane Leach, co-chair of the farmer’s market committee and a Davidson Elementary parent. “It’s possible they cold work it into something more.” Eventually, classes could grow gardens as a tie-in to science lessons or to sell at the market, she said.

Davidson Elementary PTA members are currenlty recruiting volunteers interested in helping out with the “edible schoolyard” project.

Elementary School parent Donna Reynolds, who lives in the McConnell neighborhood, is coordinating reservations for children who would like to sell produce at the market. To reach her, send an email to the market at info@davidsonfarmersmarket.org.