This summer, the Growing Gardens, Growing Health program welcomed back a familiar face – not as a participant, but as a dedicated summer Extension intern. Now a college student pursing a degree in Exercise Science, this young man first came to Fodor Farm as an eight-year–old, eager to dig his hands into the soil and learn where his food came from. More than a decade later, he returns with the same enthusiasm, this time sharing his knowledge, leadership and passion for healthy living with a new generation of families. 

Growing Gardens, Growing Health is a vibrant summer program designed to bring families together around gardening, nutrition and cooking. Located at historic Fodor Farm at 328 Flax Hill Road in Norwalk, the program invites families to participate in weekly gardening sessions, guided by seasoned educators and community partners. Parents and children work side-by side, tending to their garden plots, growing fruits, vegetables, and herbs from seedlings to harvest. Each family keeps the produce they grow, offering not only fresh, healthy food but also a deeper connection to the food system.  

Norwalk Health Department, through a longstanding partnership with the UConn EFNEP program (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program), works with families to provide hands-on-cooking demonstrations and practical nutrition lessons. EFNEP staff provide accessible and engaging instruction on topics like reading food labels, understanding national dietary guidelines, and preparing nutritious meals on a budget.  

It was in this very setting that Dinyar Unvala, UConn Extension intern, first learned how to grow a tomato, read a nutrition label, and cook a stir-fry using vegetables he had grown himself. Those early experiences planted more than seeds in the soil – they planted seeds of confidence, curiosity, and purpose.  

“Being part of Growing Gardens, Growing Health at Fodor Farm as an eight-year-old was a meaningful bonding experience for my family and me. It gave us more than just fresh food—it gave us a supportive community, practical skills, and a genuine connection to where our food comes from. Now, returning as an intern over a decade later to lead youth activities, help families grow their own food, and strengthen their connection to the food system has helped me appreciate how impactful hands-on public health education can be—something I hope to carry into my future career,” Dinyar says.

Now, as an intern, he shares that same sense of pride and purpose with others. He leads youth activities, assists families with gardening tasks, supports EFNEP educators, and serves as a role model for children who are just beginning their own journeys with food and health. His presence is a living testament to the long-term impact of community-based programs like this one.  

Watching him lead families through the very garden beds where he once learned as a child is both inspiring and deeply meaningful. His story is a reminder that programs like Growing Gardens, Growing Heath not only nourish bodies – they help grow future leaders. What began as a childhood summer activity has grown into a lifelong passion for education, wellness, and giving back.  

Adding a personal touch to his return, the intern brought with him a scrapbook he had saved from 2014 – carefully preserved with photos and favorite recipes from his time in the program. On the front cover is a photo of his eight-year-old self-picking vegetables in the garden and standing beside the same EFNEP educator who now serves as his summer supervisor. The scrapbook is a tangible reminder of how impactful early experiences can be. As he mentors the next generation, he brings the program full circle – rooted in experience. 

Article by Heather Peracchio