Area kids are encouraged to trade screens for seeds. Christine Burrington, who heads the Bassett Research Institute’s 5210 program, part of Bassett Healthcare Network, said gardening helps kids and families reconnect

and that it's a perfect activity for National Screen Free Week, May 2nd through 8th. Students at Ryder Elementary School in Cobleskill will participate in the school’s annual garden clean-up project next week. To encourage the children to think about gardening, Burrington distributed free seed packets to teachers to hand out in class. The seeds were paid for by 5210. Burrington says this allows them to set aside text-messaging, I-pods and computer games for outdoor fun, fresh air and physical activity.

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