The Bexar County Youth Gardens Program is one of the many programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service and is designed to provide educators, volunteers, and community leaders with an innovative method for using gardens as outdoor classrooms. The garden will supplement efforts to improve T.A.K.S. (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) scores by using the garden as an alternative to the typical classroom setting. It will also assist in meeting the mandatory T.E.K.S. (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) objectives through utilization of the award-winning Junior Master Gardener curricula. This program will strive to create an environment that brings together parents, educators, and the community to educate urban youth about agricultural commodities and an array of other subjects while, at the same time, promoting community involvement.  Research has also shown gardening is an effective way to help children gain a respect for nature and the environment, learn about nutrition and improved food choices, develop interpersonal skills, and enhance classroom learning with practical hands-on experience — all of which help them to become well-rounded, socially aware and productive members of their communities.

The mission of this program is to educate the youth of Bexar County in various aspects of Agriculture Literacy, Entomology, and Horticulture. We provide these programs as a community investment. Presentations are given by our highly trained volunteers who take part in many of the programs offered by the Texas AgriLife Extension Service. We require a 4-week minimum notice for speaker requests. Click here to download a request form.

This program is designed to supplement and support educators, volunteers, and community leaders by using an innovative method of teaching developed around the use of gardens as outdoor classrooms. Participating youth are able to improve T.A.K.S. scores, as well as develop self confidence and technical skills. With supporting curriculum from the Junior Master Gardener Program, which adheres to the guidelines of the T.E.K.S. in subjects such a Science, Literature, and Math, the program is easy to follow.

Environmental awareness is becoming more important daily with today’s youth becoming less aware of the effects their daily lives have on their environment. Through this program youth will learn the workings of a proper ecosystem by building a terrarium and touring the conservatory at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. (This program is partnered with the San Antonio Botanical Garden.)

:: Adopt a School Program – Bexar County Master Gardeners will volunteer to serve as an advisor to your classroom garden program.

:: Classroom Gardens Vegetable Show – This is your opportunity to showcase your school’s vegetables and a chance to win mini-grants for your program, as well as prizes to support your endeavors.