Nevada Department of Agriculture hosts School Garden Conference

Educators, parents and others interested in learning more about school gardens are encouraged to attend the Nevada School Garden Conference on Saturday, April 13, 2019. The conference, which is hosted by the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA), offers practical information about gardening with children and provides engaging lesson plans and easy to implement activities that integrate gardening themes into core curriculum. 

“The benefits of school gardens are both mental and physical,” Amber Smyer, agriculture literacy coordinator for the NDA, said. “Children who engage in school garden programs, whether large outdoor raised beds or small indoor hydroponic systems, learn about nutrition, responsibility and how food is grown. The application of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) principles in hands-on learning experiences fosters knowledge and skill development.”

According to USDA, incorporating gardening into schools improves children’s health, encourages them to choose fruits and vegetables, offers accessibility to fresher and higher-quality foods and provides children with experiential learning opportunities.

The full day of learning will take place at Mountain View Montessori School from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and costs $20 to attend. Visit agri.nv.gov/school_garden_conference to register for the conference, view the agenda and learn more. This year’s conference is sponsored by Mountain View Montessori and Moana Nursery.

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) promotes a business climate that is fair, economically viable and encourages a sustainable environment that serves to protect food, fiber and health and human safety through effective service and education. The NDA includes the divisions of Administration, Animal Industry, Consumer Equitability, Food and Nutrition and Plant Industry.