Recap: CitySprouts’ Second Annual School Garden Conference 2025

Marcus Kassick, Community Engagement Coordinator [TerraCorps]

On February 8th, local educators, gardeners, administrators, and community members gathered at Orchard Gardens K-8 School for CitySprouts’ second annual Boston Area School Garden Conference, planned in partnership with Green City Growers. With over 75 attendees, the event was a huge success, bringing together passionate individuals dedicated to expanding and strengthening garden-based learning in schools.

Pictured left to right: Karen Worth [CitySprouts Board Member], Katherine Walsh [Sustainability, Energy, and Environment Director of Boston Public Schools and a champion of the Green Schools Initiative], Deena DePamphilis [K-12 Science Coordinator for Cambridge Public Schools], Susan Diller [CitySprouts Executive Director]

The conference opened with a panel led by Katherine Walsh of Boston Public Schools, Deena DePamphilis of Cambridge Public Schools, and CitySprouts Board member Karen Worth, setting the stage for meaningful discussions on the role of school gardens in education and environmental stewardship. Throughout the day, attendees participated in three engaging session blocks, each featuring a mix of panels, presentations, workshops, and hands-on lesson demonstrations.

One standout interactive session was a mushroom lesson demonstration led by CitySprouts Garden Educators Gavilán Rivas-Chavez, Austin Shaver, and Catherine Wagoner. Attendees got a firsthand look at how students engage with fungi in the CitySprouts classroom, using observation and hands-on activities to explore their life cycles and ecological roles. They also got a chance to participate in a modeling exercise done with Play-Doh, always a hit in the classrooms.

Gardener Gavilán demonstrating a mushroom lesson

Cami from the Epiphany School presenting on Food Justice

A lively Food Justice workshop facilitated by Cami Fredericks from the Epiphany School in Boston delved into the ways garden education can be a tool for addressing food access and equity. The discussion highlighted how school gardens can empower students to understand where their food comes from and advocate for change in their communities.

Julia from Green City Growers doing a presentation on hydroponics with a hydroponic system that is used in schools

Attendees also had the opportunity to explore innovative urban growing techniques in a hydroponics workshop led by Julia Toropov from Green City Growers. This session introduced the basics of hydroponic systems, their benefits for schools with limited outdoor space, and how they can be integrated into hands-on science lessons.

A major highlight of the conference was the opportunity for educators to share their hands-on teaching methods. CitySprouts Program Director Melissa Wender, who led the coordination of the event, shared: "For me, one of the biggest highlights of this year’s conference was having CitySprouts’ and Green City Grower’s educators give demonstrations of their lessons. We want people who otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to experience the joyful, hands-on learning they facilitate every day in the schools."

The conference also provided an opportunity for attendees to learn from different organizations and teaching models. Michelle Martinat, Outdoor Teaching and Learning Manager from Boston Public Schools, reflected: "It was really great to hear about all of the different approaches that people and organizations took to bring garden education to diverse student populations."

Beyond the presentations, the event fostered deeper connections within the garden education community. Alex Frank, CitySprouts Youth Programs Manager, emphasized the importance of collaboration: "There are lots of motivated and informed folk in the Garden Education world, and events like this can hopefully help us build deeper connections with the schools and teachers whom we need for partnerships and support."

As the conference wrapped up, attendees were encouraged to continue the conversations and partnerships sparked during the event. Melissa Wender shared ways for people to stay engaged: "Folks can stay connected by joining our mailing list, volunteering for us, letting us know about events their organizations are holding, providing feedback on the conference or on our curriculum, or by reaching out to me — and each other — directly to collaborate!" Melissa can be reached by email: mwender@citysprouts.org 

Affinity group breakout session! This is the “Artists and Musicians” group

The success of this year’s conference is a testament to the growing movement of school gardens as powerful educational tools. Thank you to everyone who attended, shared their knowledge, and contributed to this vibrant learning community. We look forward to seeing these ideas take root in school gardens across the region!