In recent years, educators and parents nationwide have discovered what we at Gardner Farmschool hold dear:school gardens and farm-based learning offer incredible benefits for children and communities. Research shows that when kids get involved in gardening, they become healthier, more engaged learners and more connected community members. Below, we highlight some of the key benefits of farm-based education – and why we're so passionate about sowing these opportunities here at Gardner Farmschool:
Stronger Academic Engagement
Classrooms with garden programs often see students light up with enthusiasm for learning. When lessons involve planting seeds or observing nature, abstract concepts come to life. In fact, a review of 20 years of studies found that 93% of school garden programs improved student performance in science, with notable gains in math and language arts as well. By teaching science and even math in the garden, we make learning tangible and fun, which can boost academic outcomes.
Healthier Eating Habits
Gardening can change the way children think about food. Students who participate in farm-to-school activities eat more fruits and vegetables – sometimes significantly more. One study in Texas found that elementary students ate about half a serving more vegetables per day after a year of gardening and nutrition classes. Kids are also more willing to try new healthy foodsthey grew themselves. At Gardner Farmschool, we've seen how proud students are to taste a tomato or carrot they nurtured from seed. These healthy habits can last a lifetime, helping to combat childhood obesity and malnutrition.
Better Mental Well-Being
There's something calming about getting your hands in the soil. Studies have shown that spending time in a garden reduces stress – even measuring lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, after just 30 minutes of gardening. For children, the garden's peaceful, screen-free environment provides a relaxing break from traditional classroom pressure. Teachers often report improved focus and reduced behavior issues when students learn outdoors in nature. Gardening's therapeutic effects – from themindful act of watering plants to the joy of seeing things grow – can boost students' mood and confidence.
Life Skills and Confidence
A garden is a perfect setting for kids to learn life lessons that don't come from books. By caring for plants and managing garden tasks, students pick up responsibility, patience, and teamwork. They see first-hand that consistent effort (like weeding and watering) leads to results. Completing the cycle of growing food – from seed to harvest – also gives a powerful sense of accomplishment. Nurturing living things can foster self-esteem and teach kids to trust their own abilities. At Gardner Farmschool, we celebrate these “wins,” whether it's a successful pumpkin patch or a student who proudly leads their peers in a planting activity.
Social & Community Connection
Farm-based programs bring people together. Working in a garden classroom encourages cooperation and communication as kids plan, plant, and problem-solve as a team. These shared experiences can cultivate empathy and friendship. Educators note that school gardens are “spaces where students develop empathy and put it into action to improve their schools and communities”. Children learn to care not just for plants, but for each other – sharing harvests with classmates or donating produce to those in need. This sense of collective purpose strengthens community ties. Parents and neighbors often get involved too, whether by volunteering or just stopping by to see the sunflowers the students grew. In this way, a humble school garden can blossom into a hub of community engagement and pride.
Growing More Than Plants
In summary, farm-based education is about growing more than plants – it's about growing healthier, happier kids and stronger communities. At Gardner Farmschool, we witness these benefits every day: a shy student finding their voice explaining compost to a visitor, a picky eater discovering they love kale chips, or a group of classmates cooperating to solve a pest problem.
These moments confirm that learning in the garden is not only fun, but profoundly impactful. As we continue our work, we're guided by these proven benefits and excited to help even more young learners blossom through hands-on farming education.