2025 School Garden Contest Winners Announced
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture Announces Winners of the 2025 Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest
As Arkansas Farm to School Month comes to a close, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture joins Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders in celebrating her proclamation designating October as Arkansas Farm to School Month by announcing the winners of the 2025 Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest. Throughout October, schools across the state have celebrated by highlighting their gardens and farm-to-school activities that connect students with local food and agriculture.
“Hands-on learning is one of the most powerful ways students can bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world,” said Governor Sanders. “These schools are planting the seeds of curiosity and leadership—creating environments that inspire kids to engage in their communities and apply lessons to real-world scenarios. Congratulations to the 2025 Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year winners for helping shape the future of Arkansas agriculture.”
The contest, sponsored by the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas, recognizes schools for their outstanding efforts in garden development, education, and community engagement.
This year’s winners are:
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Atkins Middle School (Atkins) – Best Overall School Garden ($1,000 award)
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Batesville Preschool (Batesville) – Best Education-Based School Garden ($1,000 award)
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Ward Central Elementary School (Cabot) – Champion of School Garden Sustainability ($1,000 award)
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Carolyn Lewis Elementary School (Conway) – Best Harvest Partnership School Garden ($500 award)
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Little Rock Christian Academy (Little Rock) – Best Harvest Partnership School Garden ($500 award)
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Nemo Vista High School (Center Ridge) – Best Community Collaboration School Garden ($500 award)
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Yellville Summit Public School District (Yellville) – Best Community Collaboration School Garden ($500 award)
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Southside Charter High School (Batesville) – Best Start-Up School Garden Proposal ($500 award)
“We’re excited to support the Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest because it’s about more than just growing plants. It’s about growing knowledge, responsibility, and pride in our communities,” said Brandon Haberer, CEO at Farm Credit of Western Arkansas. “These school gardens give students hands-on experience with agriculture and help them see how it touches every part of their lives. At Farm Credit, we’re all in on helping young people become tomorrow’s leaders in farming and sustainability. It’s how we keep agriculture strong and thriving across Arkansas.”
Established in 2014 by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas, the Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest encourages schools to engage students in the hands-on process of growing and harvesting fresh foods. Farm Credit provides the funding for contest awards each year.
“We appreciate Governor Sanders and the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas for their continued leadership in promoting farm to school efforts across Arkansas,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Integrating agriculture into our schools helps students understand where their food comes from and the role agriculture plays in our daily lives. We congratulate this year’s winning schools for their dedication to providing students with hands-on learning experiences that connect the classroom to Arkansas agriculture.”
The contest is open to public and private K–12 schools, early childhood education facilities, and alternative learning environments. Applications are evaluated based on clear goals, integration of garden-based learning into the curriculum, community involvement, plans for using harvested produce, and strategies for long-term garden sustainability.
Governor Sanders proclaimed October as Arkansas Farm to School Month to highlight the partnerships between schools, communities, and local producers that strengthen Arkansas agriculture and education.
For more information about the Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest and other farm to school initiatives, visit agriculture.arkansas.gov/resources/programs/farm-to-school/.
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