Did you know over 80% of Vermont schools have a garden?* These vibrant spaces are more than places to grow food—they’re living classrooms that connect the cafeteria, classroom, and community. School gardens spark curiosity, strengthen healthy eating habits, and deepen students’ understanding of agriculture and the environment.
From planting and harvesting to cooking and composting, gardens bring lessons to life across nutrition, science, and sustainability. They inspire students to try fresh fruits and vegetables, supplement school meals, and build enthusiasm for local food. Just as importantly, gardens invite the wider community to participate in your farm to school efforts.
*Vermont Integrated Food, Farm, and Nutrition Programming Data Harvest, 2018
Connect with Local Support
Vermont Garden Network
The Vermont Garden Network educates, supports and connects gardeners. We believe in the power of people growing food to strengthen food security, promote food justice and build community, and we want every Vermonter to have access to the space and resources they need to be successful in growing some of their own. Their Vegucation Van is a mobile classroom offering nutrition workshops for a range of ages.
Kids Gardening
KidsGardening supports educators and caregivers bringing the life-changing benefits of gardening to kids. Explore their website to find grant funding opportunities, original educational resources, inspiration, and community to get more kids learning through the garden.
Vermont Harvest of the Month
Gardens are a great place for both formal and informal taste tests with youth. Food Connects’s Vermont Harvest of the Month provides ready-to-use materials like recipes, posters, and signage to celebrate seasonal, local ingredients each month. It's a great entry point to engage students and build excitement around local food.
UVM Extension Master Gardener Program
Become a better gardener while giving back to your community! The UVM Extension Master Gardener Program offers a 16-week online course for adults looking to gain knowledge in home gardening, including basic botany, soil fertility, insects and diseases, vegetable planning and production, herbaceous perennials, small fruit and tree fruit, pollinator plants, tree care, landscape design, and volunteerism.