Eight Arkansas School Gardens Win Contest Cash Prizes

Winning schools receive grants to support farm-to-school education programs for students across the state.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Homeschooling

Gouache-painted illustration of a raised wooden garden bed with green sprouts and a trowel, representing agricultural school programs. — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture awarded grants to eight state schools to expand their farm-to-school programs during Arkansas Farm to School Month. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you support prioritizing school-based garden programs to teach children about food production and agriculture?

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has selected eight schools across the state as winners of the 2026 Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest. These winning institutions received cash prizes of $500 or $1,000 to support their ongoing farm-to-school gardening programs.

Why it matters

These awards provide critical funding for school-based agricultural projects that enhance student nutrition education and hands-on learning. The contest highlights the importance of integrating food systems into the curriculum during October, which is recognized as Arkansas Farm to School Month.

Eight schools were awarded prizes of $500 or $1,000. Among the recipients, the Bentonville-based WILD About Learning Academy, which serves children ages six weeks to five years, earned the Best Education Garden award for early childhood.

The players

Arkansas Department of Agriculture

A state agency that oversees agricultural development and public school garden initiatives.

Farm Credit

A nationwide network of customer-owned financial institutions that partner with state agencies to fund agricultural education.

WILD About Learning Academy

A Bentonville-based early childhood education facility serving children from six weeks to five years of age.

The details

The contest recognizes excellence in farm-to-school initiatives at public and private K-12 schools, early childhood centers, and alternative learning environments. Winners are selected for their success in maintaining educational gardens that serve as living classrooms for students of all ages. These funds are designed to support the expansion of garden-based learning activities that connect students directly to the sources of their food.

October 2026 marks the annual Arkansas Farm to School Month.

The Home Front

This state contest aligns with the broader growth of farm-to-school programming across the nation, which prioritizes food literacy in early education. These initiatives reflect a shift toward using schoolyard spaces as essential infrastructure for nutrition and outdoor learning.

Parents can review their child's school garden offerings to see if they participate in state farm-to-school programs. Consider contacting your local school administration to inquire about volunteer opportunities or seasonal planting days for these award-winning outdoor spaces.

The takeaway

These gardening awards underscore the long-term educational value of hands-on agricultural activity for young students. Families can support this trend by planting home vegetable gardens to build on the lessons children learn through school-based programs.