(05/20/26) BATON ROUGE, La. — School gardens often begin with enthusiasm but require ongoing skills and support to remain productive and connected to learning throughout the year. The LSU AgCenter’s Seeds to Success: Louisiana Farm to School Program will host a School Gardening for Sustainability training June 25 in Winnsboro for educators and community members working in school gardens and farm-to-school programs.

The one-day training will bring together teachers, school gardeners, Louisiana Master Gardeners, volunteers and others involved in farm-to-school efforts for hands-on instruction in practical garden management and classroom integration.

Participants will explore garden planning, seasonal growing practices and strategies for using school gardens as teaching tools. The training is designed to build on existing experience and provide practical approaches that can be applied directly in school and community garden settings.

“Many educators and volunteers are looking for practical strategies they can take back to their gardens,” said Isabella Frank, Louisiana Farm to School Program horticulture program specialist. “This training is designed to provide hands-on experience and resources that support that work.”

The workshop is part of the Louisiana Farm to School Program’s ongoing efforts to support school garden initiatives and expand agricultural learning opportunities for students across the state.

“School gardens are most effective when they are supported with consistent planning and horticultural knowledge,” said Carl Motsenbocker, Louisiana Farm to School Program executive director. “This training helps strengthen those efforts in a very practical way.”

Participants will receive instructional materials and resources to support garden planning, maintenance and classroom integration.

The training will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the LSU AgCenter Northeast Region office, 212 Macon Ridge Road, Building B, in Winnsboro.

Registration is $30 and includes lunch. For registration details and additional information, visit the event page at

School Gardening for Sustainability Training--Macon Ridge

Farm to School program adviser Denyse Cummins demonstrates how to establish transplants for the garden. Photo by Isabella Frank/LSU AgCenter

Denyse Cummins, Farm to School program adviser, discusses indoor growing options with attendees. Photo by Isabella Frank/LSU AgCenter

Two Farm to School program participants show off their transplants. Photo by Isabella Frank/LSU AgCenter