Resources for Educators

Invest in your Growth

Training & Professional Development

Investing in your professional growth as a garden educator strengthens both your confidence and your students' learning experiences. These conferences and training opportunities provide valuable resources to enhance your garden-based education programs and help you stay current with best practices, discover new teaching approaches, and build lasting relationships within the garden education community. Scholarship funds may be available for certain programs.

OFSN-Led & Partnered Programs

Programs hosted or co-hosted by Oregon Farm to School Network.

National Conferences & Gatherings

Nationwide conferences and institutes connecting farm to school practitioners from across the country.

National Farm to Cafeteria Conference Gathering of farm to school professionals nationwide Biennial

The premier event for anyone passionate about bringing local food to institutional settings and driving positive change in the food system. Features workshops, farm tours, and networking with practitioners from across the country.

Conference Website ↗
SGSO Leadership Institute School Garden Support Organization annual convening Annual

Every year, school garden professionals from across the country collaborate, learn from one another, and develop resources to share with a national audience — advancing both regional support and the broader school garden movement.

SGSO Institute ↗
Growing School Gardens Summit National gathering to support school garden programs Annual

A national gathering designed to support our shared work to strengthen the school garden movement at local and national levels so that all children and youth can have vibrant, resilient school garden programs.

SGSO Institute ↗

Online Courses & Certificate Programs

Self-paced and cohort-based learning opportunities to deepen your garden-based education practice.

Growing Gardens School Garden Coordinator Certificate Training Online training for new and experienced garden educators Online

Growing Gardens is proud to offer the School Garden Coordinator Certificate in partnership with Oregon State University. Join us to learn best practices for planning, building, and maintaining a thriving school garden in your own neighborhood.

Growing Gardens Course ↗
Life Lab School Garden Coordinator Certificate Online certificate training for new and experienced garden educators Online

This unique program gives educators the knowledge, resources, and inspiration to implement and maintain an edible school garden built on broad community involvement. Whether you're new to gardening or leading an established program, this online certificate meets you where you're at.

Life Lab Course ↗
Teaching in Nature's Classroom Course Principles of garden-based education Online

A companion course to the book Teaching in Nature's Classroom: Principles of Garden-Based Education. Educators explore different methodologies for teaching in garden-based settings through activities, discussions, and reflection.

Course Details ↗

University & Extension Programs

Training and educational programs offered through Oregon State University Extension Service.

OSU Master Gardener Training Oregon State University Extension Service Training

OSU Extension Service's Master Gardener program prepares participants to become proficient gardeners and community resources within their own bioregion. Complete the training, pass an exam, and volunteer public service hours through your local Master Gardener Program.

OSU Master Gardener ↗
Summer Agriculture Institute (SAI) Three-credit graduate course for K–12 teachers Graduate Credit

A three-credit, week-long graduate-level class through Oregon State University for K–12 teachers with little or no agriculture background. Goal: help educators use agriculture as a context for teaching science, math, social studies, and English.

OSU Summer Institute ↗