Session Option 1:

Track I: Curriculum

10:30-11:30 CST

Learn, Grow, Eat & Go!
Randy Seagraves

This session will equip and empower you to effectively implement the popular, evidence-based Learn, Grow, Eat & Go! curriculum with your class! Created by teachers, this standards-based, multifaceted school garden curriculum is fun and academically rich. Through a linear set of hands-on, proven lessons, your students step through process of establishing a thriving garden that is easy to create and maintain! but YOU will also have an opportunity to take part in a LIVE HANDS-ON activity AND before the session closer there will be a drawing (from attendees in the room) for a FREE Learn, Grow, Eat & Go! curriculum DOOR PRIZE.

Randy is an Extension Program Specialist & Curriculum Director for the International Junior Master Gardener program. A former 3rd grade teacher in College Station ISD, Randy is the lead author of 8 JMG® curriculum guides, including the new, evidence-based Learn, Grow, Eat & GO! curriculum…

Session Option 2:

Track II: Growing Healthy Gardens & Healthy Kids

10:30-11:30 CST

Cultivating Community: Reimagining the Victory Garden Movement
Rose Hayden-Smith

Abstract: Cultivating Community: Reimagining the Victory Garden Movement The Victory Garden movement, born during World Wars I and II, played a pivotal role in fostering food security and community resilience. Today, as we navigate global challenges, the concept of Victory Gardens remains relevant and offers a powerful tool for cultivating community, promoting sustainable food systems, and empowering individuals, particularly children. This presentation will delve into the rich history of school, home, and community gardens, tracing their evolution and impact in our nation. We will explore the enduring value of these green spaces in fostering a sense of belonging, promoting healthy lifestyles, and strengthening local economies. Additionally, the presentation will showcase captivating poster art that celebrates the beauty and significance of Victory Gardens. Through these artistic expressions, we will explore the cultural and historical significance of gardening and its enduring appeal. By understanding the past, we can better envision the future of Victory Gardens. This presentation will inspire audiences to embrace the power of gardening as a catalyst for positive change, fostering community, sustainability, and a deeper connection to the land.

Dr. Rose Hayden-Smith is an author and US historian. She’s an emerita from the University of California, where she served as a garden-based educator and the director of 4-H, Master Gardener, and county Extension programs in Ventura County. She also led UC ANR’s statewide initiative in sustainable food systems…

Session Option 3:

Track III: NURTURING NATURE – Creating Earth-Friendly School Gardens/Outdoor Classrooms 

10:30-11:30 CST

Cultivating Curiosity: Nutrition, Journaling, and Summer Success
Emily How

Explore how school gardens can serve as dynamic, outdoor classrooms where students can learn about plant biology and environmental stewardship. These “outdoor classrooms” allow for engagement in practical activities that help promote healthier eating habits. This session will dig into how SNAP and Extension educators can support these efforts by building sustainable partnerships, providing valuable nutrition education, and other resources. By integrating school gardens and utilizing available resources, we can provide a foundation for students to learn how to grow food and make informed dietary choices. A key component of this session will focus on using garden journals as a powerful teaching tool. By documenting garden experiences, students are enhancing their observational and reflective skills. Garden journals used in combination with the core Junior Master Gardener curriculum integrates fundamental academic concepts in a hands-on and meaningful way.

Emily How is a North Dakota State University Extension Agent with a passion for gardening. Her enthusiasm for plants took root in Denton County, Texas as a Junior Master Gardener. Today, Emily channels her enthusiasm and passion into her work – sharing her expertise…

Session Option 4:

Track IV: Track IV: Implementing & Growing Sustainable Youth Garden Programs

10:30-11:30 CST

Growing Sustainable School Gardens: Cultivating a Support Network
Phyllicia Moore

This session, inspired by the successful “Get Growing Houston” initiative, will equip educators, administrators, and garden coordinators with practical strategies to build and sustain thriving school garden programs. It will focus on creating a solid support network and ensuring long-term sustainability through community engagement, effective management, and consistent funding. Participants will learn how to engage key stakeholders—parents, teachers, staff, and community members—and maintain their involvement. The session will provide strategies for developing a sustainable volunteer base, fostering ongoing communication, and leveraging community resources. The session will share practical, hands-on tips will be shared on securing funding, cultivating lasting community partnerships, and implementing best practices for garden management. Additionally, participants will gain insights into measuring the impact of garden programs on student learning and community engagement using data-driven approaches. This session is designed to empower educators and garden leaders with the essential tools and knowledge needed to grow and sustain impactful school garden programs. By building a robust support network and implementing strategies for long-term success, participants will be equipped to create vibrant, enduring gardens that enrich students’ learning experiences and strengthen their communities.

Phyllicia Moore is a dedicated educator with a strong background in agricultural science and STEM education. She leads the efforts to promote garden-based learning in Houston ISD. Her commitment to integrating STEM, arts, agriculture, and leadership into education is evident through her work with various programs in the field…

Session Option 1:

Track I: Curriculum

12:30-1:30 CST

Literature in the Garden/Wildlife Gardener
Lisa Whittlesey

This session will include everything you wanted to know about both the popular Literature in the Garden curriculum and the Wildlife Gardener curriculum developed for use with elementary students. Literature in the Garden will help you to cultivate a connection to children’s literature & gardening with this award-winning curriculum. You’ll be engaging children through powerful garden and ecology-themed children’s books to inspire learning through outdoor activities, creative expression and open exploration. Dozens of hands-on math, science and language-based activities encourage leadership development, individual responsibility, community involvement, and the development of critical thinking skills. With Wildlife Gardener, your students will gain a greater understanding and strengthen appreciation for the wildlife that is part of their local community. Your class will enjoy novel, hands-on, project-based learning as they have fun gardening for wildlife. And your class will work and learn together to create components of wildlife gardening habitat. The session will not only provide great familiarity with the engaging format and many of the lessons that make up these unique curriculum options, but YOU will also have an opportunity to take part in a LIVE HANDS ON activity during the session AND before the session closes there will be a drawing (from attendees in the room) for a FREE Wildlife Gardener/Literature in the Garden curriculum DOOR PRIZE.

Lisa serves as the program director for the International Junior Master Gardener program and has been an invited speaker to over 285 regional and national conferences. Her recent work has focused on utilizing the Junior Master Gardener program (Learn, Grow, Eat & GO curricula) as an intervention as a part of a 5 year USDA AFRI funded Extension and Research project…

Session Option 2:

Track II: Growing Healthy Gardens & Healthy Kids

12:30-1:30 CST

My Garden is Better Than Yours. Can You Dig It?
Dr. Joseph Masabni

Join me as I share my story of growing all kinds of vegetables and herbs in the last 17 years in Texas. Share the ups and downs and learn that I can still fail miserably and ‘kill’ plants even after 30 years of experience. But I will ‘seed’ the love and excitement of gardening and teach you some tips and tricks for a successful vegetable garden.

Dr. Masabni is the controlled environment extension vegetable specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. His extension effort is to serve urban growers such as hydroponic, aquaponic, and open field growers of vegetables, leafy greens, and herbs. Dr. Masabni has experience in…

Session Option 3:

Track III: NURTURING NATURE – Creating Earth-Friendly School Gardens/Outdoor Classrooms 

12:30-1:30 CST

Growing Small Gardeners One Hour at a Time
Sabine Kuhn & Karen Middendorf

This presentation will discuss how the JMG manual is used by Franklin County MGVs from the Ohio State University to lead a weekly 1 hour after school gardening session for 1-4 graders from a local elementary school. The program is supported by several teachers at the school, a church directly across from the school and grants. We will soon start our 12th session. We started with 6 beds and now have double that number.

Student and parent interest has grown tremendously since starting in the fall of 2021. Each session fills up quickly and several students have been with the program since its inception. Lessons from the JMG manual are adapted or modified to fit to one hour and allow for the age variances from 6 to 10.  The main goal of the program is to make gardening fun while exposing the students to various vegetables, growing seasons, gardening techniques and the factors that affect what we grow (sun, wind, rain, cold, bugs, soil etc.).

 We will discuss successes, challenges, other resources, the addition of the occasional speaker, helpful advice from teachers, and that mistakes are teaching tools.

Sabine Kuhn has been a MGV since 2020. She retired in 2019 and has always had an interest in gardening. Through Ohio State University she became involved as a Master Gardener Volunteer and has enjoyed working with elementary students since 2020…

After becoming a Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteer in 2018, Karen Middendorf began volunteering in youth gardens. By 2021, she was involved (and still is involved) in three different youth gardens. Karen was selected Franklin County Master Gardener Volunteer of the Year in 2021…

Session Option 4:

Track IV: Track IV: Implementing & Growing Sustainable Youth Garden Programs

12:30-1:30 CST

Grow and Lead Together: Cultivating Agricultural Literacy and Leadership
Sarbjeet Kaur

This session will be about a USDA funded project entitled “Grow and Lead Together (GALT): Developing Healthy Youth through School-Community Partnerships”. The program aims to address the critical need for agricultural (Ag) literacy, nutritional health, and Ag leadership of youth from under-resourced Houston Independent School District (HISD) middle schools through collaboration among diverse Ag stakeholders, HISD youth, teachers, and master gardeners. Specifically, goals of the program are 1) Promoting Ag literacy, nutritional health, and leadership in underserved youth, 2) Building capacity and developing partnerships between schools and communities, and 3) Creating a robust stakeholder network to support and sustain the in-school Ag education and school-community partnerships established during the project period. The program successfully entered its second year and is currently working with three HISD middle schools. During the first year, recruited schools and teachers were provided with the following: Ag in classroom guest lectures, feedback surveys, Junior Master Gardener “Virtual” National Teacher/Leader Training Conference February 20-21, 2024, garden grants for school gardens, junior master gardener curriculum, and Summer Youth Gardens Advanced Leadership Training for Adults, and other various resources (master gardener resources from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension etc.)

Sarbjeet Kaur is a second year Ph.D. Student at Texas A&M University in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications. Ms. Kaur joined Texas A&M as a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) in 2023 and currently serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) in the same department…

Session Option 1:

Track I: Curriculum

2:00-3:00 CST

JMG Level Two with Operation Thistle & Operation W.A.T.E.R.
Lisa Whittlesey

Everything you wanted to know about the middle school/junior high LEVEL TWO curricula featuring the novel Operation Thistle, Plant Growth & Development Teacher/Leader Guide and the Operation W.A.T.E.R., Soils & Water Teacher/Leader Guide. The session will not only provide great familiarity with this novel, “Mission Impossible” inspired curriculum but YOU will also have an opportunity to take part in a HANDS-ON activity AND before the session closer there will be a drawing (from attendees in the room) for a FREE JMG Level 2 curriculum DOOR PRIZE!

Lisa serves as the program director for the International Junior Master Gardener program and has been an invited speaker to over 285 regional and national conferences. Her recent work has focused on utilizing the Junior Master Gardener program (Learn, Grow, Eat & GO curricula) as an intervention as a part of a 5 year USDA AFRI funded Extension and Research project…

Session Option 2:

Track II: Growing Healthy Gardens & Healthy Kids

2:00-3:00 CST

Roots and Shoots: Growing Curious Eaters from the Ground Up
Liz Driscoll

Farm to school enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools. Students engage in agricultural and nutrition education opportunities such as school gardens, cooking lessons and farm field trips and experience access to local foods in the cafeteria. Farm to school empowers children and their families to make knowledgeable food choices while strengthening the local economy and contributing to vibrant communities. This session will delve into the Farm to School successes within North Carolina Cooperative Extension that can be applied anywhere throughout the country. We will share concrete stories, engaging activities, and tools of programs that have fired up young people to sink their hands into the soil, nibble on cabbage, and cook up their curiosity for healthy eating.

Liz Driscoll finds wonder in the world as she observes jewelweed fruit explode, sensitive plants fall over with laughter and click beetles break dancing on their back. As a 4-H Specialist with NC Cooperative Extension across the departments of Horticulture, Crop and Soil Sciences, Entomology and Plant Pathology at NC State…

Session Option 3:

Track III: NURTURING NATURE: Creating Earth-Friendly School Gardens/Outdoor Classrooms 

2:00-3:00 CST

Hosting A JMG Summer Camp
Courtney Cheers & Shannon Goodwin
Junior Master Gardener Day Camp Series
Kelly Noack

Courtney & Shannon: The Wittenbach Wege Center has been “growing good kids” through the Junior Master Gardener program since 2010. We will share how our program started and has evolved over the years to meet the needs of our community garden space and students who have participated in JMG for multiple years. Kids going into grades 4-8 can participate in our 8-week JMG Camp. Once campers have participated at least 1 year and are entering grade 6, they have the opportunity to become a “Garden Guru” which involves planting and maintaining their own garden and additional leadership responsibilities. We have implemented rotating themes for each year that help us tie into the rich agricultural opportunities in Michigan and they participate in hands-on activities related to the yearly camp theme. Our hands-on learning activities are guided by the JMG handbooks and teacher guides. Cooking has always been a part of our program and was enhanced when JMG came out with the Learn, Grow, Eat & Go! curriculum. We will share how we structure our day, how we tackle garden maintenance and projects, our cooking classes, field trips, and more!

Kelly: Participants in this session will hear tips, tricks, and examples from MARION COUNTY, Oregon, Junior Master Gardener Day-Camp Series. This annual, 8 week day-camp has been well received and attended by over 200 youth since 2017. Kelly will speak about the strong partnership between 4-H Youth Development and Master Gardener volunteers, and share about recruitment and retention efforts of youth.

Courtney loves helping people explore, discover, and get their hands in the soil – OUTSIDE! She has been educating students and the community about the natural world and agriculture for more than 20 years. Courtney has been involved in programming at the Wittenbach Wege Center since 2001…

Shannon has been teaching science for over 20 years. First as a high school science teacher in Chicago Public Schools in Illinois, then as a middle school and high school science teacher for Kentwood Public Schools in Michigan. For the last 9 years, she has been working as an outdoor educator…

Kelly Noack (she/her) is a Marion County, Oregon 4-H Outreach Coordinator and Master Gardener (since 2016). She leads Oregon’s JMG efforts and JMG facilitator trainings, as well as on-going school enrichment programming and day-camps across Marion County. Kelly has a passion for Farm to School and School Garden Education

Session Option 4:

Track IV: Track IV: Implementing & Growing Sustainable Youth Garden Programs

2:00-3:00 CST

Engaging the School Community for School Garden Sustainability
Nicole Hansen

The Youth Horticulture Education Program (YHEP) has created a project called School Garden Support. This program teaches the school community how to care for their garden without incurring costs from school garden companies to maintain their garden. YHEP instructor, Nicole Hansen will explain our process in this project and how you can implement it at your local school gardens.

Nicole is a Las Vegas Native who has dedicated much of her career to teaching the Las Vegas Community about the benefits and ease of gardening in an arid climate. Nicole has taught all youth age groups and continuing education for adults. Her prior career experience includes delivering school garden company curriculum to youth…

Session Option 1:

Track I: Curriculum

3:30-5:00 CST

Early Childhood Learn, Grow, Eat & Go!
Julie Hamilton

This session will help you to grow a classroom of thriving students, with the new Early Childhood Learn, Grow, Eat & Go curriculum that combines rich plant/garden learning, food exposure, fun brain- & body-boosting physical activities, AND novel parent/school community engagement in a fun, teacher-friendly format! Save planning time with this step-by-step, 4 week unit that equips teachers with daily engaging lessons, group activities, and journal prompts that lead your class to create a simple, thriving vegetable garden. Weekly featured songs, literature connections, classroom garden kitchen recipes, innovative family engagement tools, and effective center resources complement learning and maximize benefits to students. Created by Head Start teachers, kindergarten teachers, and content experts, this multifaceted garden, nutrition, and physical activity curriculum is specially designed for teachers 4 & 5-year-olds. YOU will also have an opportunity to take part in a LIVE HANDS ON activity AND before the session closer there will be a drawing (from attendees in the room) for a FREE Early Childhood Learn, Grow, Eat & Go curriculum DOOR PRIZE.

Julie graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Kinesiology in 1991. She is certified to teach all levels of Physical Education and Health as well as Elementary Education and Early Childhood. Julie has been in education a total of 27 years (6 years teaching Physical Education, 17 years teaching Preschool, and 4 years as a Mother’s Day Out/Preschool director)…

Session Option 2:

Track II: Growing Healthy Gardens & Healthy Kids
3:30-5:00 CST

Want Free Veggies? Why School Gardens Should Be Part of School Culture!
Rolando Roman

During our presentation, we will share how you can get unlimited vegetables year-round! You will also be shared with the justification as to why you should incorporate a gardening program into your school culture. Kids gardening programs at schools are effective for several reasons:
1. Hands-on Learning: Gardening provides experiential learning opportunities that engage students actively, enhancing their understanding of science, math, and environmental concepts.
2. Connection to Nature: These programs foster a connection to nature, encouraging students to appreciate the environment and understand ecosystems, plants, and the food cycle.
3. Health and Nutrition Awareness: By growing their fruits and vegetables, students develop a better understanding of healthy eating and are more likely to try new, nutritious foods.
4. Social and Emotional Development: Working together in the garden teaches teamwork, responsibility, patience, and collaboration, helping students develop important social and emotional skills.
5. Physical Activity: Gardening promotes physical activity, encouraging movement and outdoor play, which are beneficial for children’s physical health and well-being.
6. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking: Gardening encourages children to observe, ask questions, and solve problems, enhancing their critical thinking skills.
7. Positive Impact on Mental Health: Gardening has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, helping students develop a sense of calm and mindfulness.
Overall, school gardening programs provide a holistic approach to learning, combining academic, social, physical, and emotional growth.

Rolando Roman (Coach Ro) is an expert in the exercise science, health, fitness, and wellness industry. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the University of Puerto Rico, where he was a student-athlete (Wrestling & Judo), and a master’s degree in exercise science/physical education from Southwest Texas State University… 

Session Option 3:

Track III: NURTURING NATURE: Creating Earth-Friendly School Gardens/Outdoor Classrooms 

3:30-5:00 CST

Water-Wise Wonders: Empowering Youth Through Sustainable Gardening
Em Shipman & Sarah Pounders

A precious and threatened resource, water is essential for all living things. Youth garden programs offer amazing, real world opportunities for kids to learn how to respect and use water sustainably. Learning how to create gardens that conserve water and how to water correctly and efficiently is knowledge that they will use their whole lives. In this session, KidsGardening’s Em Shipman and Sarah Pounders will share ideas for designing water-wise youth gardens that compare different watering techniques and share tips for how and when to water your gardens. We will also introduce our new Water Wise Garden Program launching in collaboration with irrigation experts Hunter Industries and share about the educational resources and grant opportunities being developed to support teaching about water through youth gardening efforts.

Em Shipman is a passionate advocate for children and the planet and believes that garden-based learning and hands-on, placed-based education benefit both. As executive director of KidsGardening, Em has 20 years experience leading transformative programs in food systems, agriculture, and education…

Sarah Pounders is a Senior Education Specialist at KidsGardening and has been active in the field of youth gardening for almost 30 years with experience coordinating numerous children’s gardens, writing curricula and activities for youth of all ages, teaching formal and informal youth education programs…

Session Option 4:

Track 4: Track IV: Implementing & Growing Sustainable Youth Garden Programs

3:30-5:00 CST

Oregon Farm-to-School Collaborative
Rick Sherman, Melina Barker, Michelle Markesteyn, Kelly Noack & Jade Davidson

Join the Oregon Farm to School & School Garden team to learn more collaborative statewide and local efforts to grow and sustain the program.
In this session, you will learn about Farm to School & School Garden programs in Oregon, including more information about the history and structure of the Oregon Farm to School Network. The team will share examples from winning schools and programs across the state, providing you with inspiration and new ideas for your own programs. You will also receive tips and tricks for how to start your own Farm to School and School Garden program. Tips are scalable and can be customized to your needs! After this session, participants will be inspired to scale, join, or start their own local farm-to-school efforts in their state.

Rick was hired by the Oregon Department of Education in 2012 as the Farm to School Analyst after working for 32 years as a Nutrition Services Director. Rick’s claims to fame were identifying all of Oregon’s school gardens-the first state to do so (currently there are 788 school gardens in Oregon!); developing a school garden food safety training & documentation manual…

Melina is the Director of the Oregon Farm to School Network. Melina has been active in the farm to school and school garden movement for many years. She helped to found Rogue Valley Farm to School in southern Oregon where she served as Program Director for 12 years. Melina holds a MS in Environmental Education and lives on a small homestead in southern Oregon…

Michelle currently serves as an Associate Professor of Practice at Oregon State University as Extension’s Farm to School Specialist. For over 25 years Michelle has gotten her hands dirty on farms 4-4,000 acres in size, taught in school gardens, researched ways to make it easier to get local foods on our tables, and then advocated for policies that do just that…

Kelly Noack (she/her) is a Marion County, Oregon 4-H Outreach Coordinator and Master Gardener (since 2016). She leads Oregon’s JMG efforts and JMG facilitator trainings, as well as on-going school enrichment programming and day-camps across Marion County. Kelly has a passion for Farm to School…

Jade Davidson, PhD, RDN, has been the Executive Director of Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom since January 2024. Previously, Davidson attended TCU for her B.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics and UGA for her master’s and PhD in Agricultural Education. Her work in graduate school focused on Farm to School…