01 Mar 2025 Arkansas Department of Agriculture celebrates winners of Farm to School contest

Posted at 11:19 AMh in News by

Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders proclaimed October 2024 as Arkansas Farm to School Month and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture celebrated by announcing the winners of the Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest at Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School in Pulaski County.

“School gardens provide hands-on learning, teach kids where food comes from, and encourage healthy eating,” said Jessica Chapman, the Farm to School and early childhood education program coordinator for the Department. “They serve as outdoor classrooms for science, nutrition, and agriculture while fostering teamwork and responsibility. Gardening helps students build a deeper connection to food, farming, and their community.”

Secretary Wes Ward (from left), Arkansas Department of Agriculture; Dr. Sarper Turker, superintendent at Arkansas Lighthouse Charter Schools (ALCS); Vonysha Goodwin, board member at ALCS; Dr. Richard Moss, board chairman at ALCS; Dr. Amanda McWhirt, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture; LaShawnDa Noel, CEO at ALCS; and Secretary Jacob Oliva, Arkansas Department of Education.

The winning schools located in Central Arkansas are: 

Best Overall School Garden: Conway High School (Conway – Faulkner County), a $1,000 award.

Best Education-Based School Garden: The honor was shared by Ellen Smith Elementary School (in Conway – Faulkner County), a $500 award, and Shirley Elementary School (in Shirley – Van Buren County), a $500 award. 

Best Harvest Partnership School Garden: The honor was shared by Maumelle High School (Maumelle – Pulaski County), a $500 award, and Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School (Jacksonville), a $500 award.

Best Community Collaboration School Garden: Ward Central Elementary School (Ward – Lonoke County), a $500 award, and a school in northeast Arkansas.

School gardens are integral to farm-to-school efforts, providing hands-on learning opportunities focused on agriculture and nutrition. There are currently 354 school gardens across the state. “Farm-to-school initiatives offer access to fresh food and connect students statewide to agriculture through gardens, educational programs, and local food procurement,” Chapman said.

Griffin Golleher (from left), AgHeritage Farm Credit Services; Amanda Krell, Maumelle High School; and Secretary Wes Ward, Arkansas Department of Agriculture.

The contest was initiated by the Department and Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas in 2014 to reward existing efforts and to encourage the implementation of school gardens across the state. The Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas generously provides the funding for the contest.

“Since 2014, this contest has recognized and supported school gardens across the state,” Chapman said. “It helps schools start or expand gardens, purchase supplies, and integrate garden-based learning into education. By engaging thousands of students, the contest promotes agriculture, nutrition and healthier eating habits.”

Farm Credit hopes to ensure that the next generation has green thumbs. “As a proud partner of the Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest, the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas are committed to supporting agricultural education and sustainability initiatives across our state,” said Greg Cole, president and CEO of AgHeritage Farm Credit Services. “These programs not only teach students the importance of agriculture in their daily lives but also cultivate a deeper connection to the land and their communities. At Farm Credit, we believe in fostering the next generation of agricultural leaders and stewards of the land, ensuring that agriculture continues to thrive for years to come.” 

Griffin Golleher (from left), Leslee Tell, Conway High School; Ryan Raup, Ellen Smith Elementary School; and Secretary Wes Ward,

The contest was open to public and private K-12 schools, early childhood education facilities, and alternative learning environments. Applicants must have a school garden, or plans to start one in the following school year, to be considered for the contest. Applications are judged on the presence of clear goals, effective integration of school gardens into the classroom curriculum, active community involvement, plans for utilizing harvested produce, and long-term maintenance strategies for the gardens.

“We are thankful for this partnership with Farm Credit,” Chapman said. “Details for the next contest are still being finalized, but updates will be posted at agriculture.arkansas.gov. We encourage schools to apply and continue growing opportunities for students through gardening!” Chapman said.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture, forestry, and natural resources conservation to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while sustaining natural resources and ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation.