School Garden Learning Network
The School Garden Learning Network is a longstanding grassroots approach to supporting the school garden movement in Napa County.
Over the last decade, the School Garden Learning Network has evolved, but the fundamental goals remain the same: growing school gardens through building capacity, sharing resources, and supporting horticultural learning within a community of practice.
Initially, garden educators gathered monthly under the informal direction of the Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) program. In 2013, we launched The School Garden Task Force as a complimentary project of the UC Master Gardeners of Napa County.
These projects eventually coalesced into Napa Valley School Garden Network, led by Louann Talbert to increase the visibility and coordination of school garden educators. From 2017-2020, educators met monthly to learn and grow together.
What were once parallel efforts to support garden-based education, the School Garden Learning Network is a growing community of practice jointly led by school garden educators and community members.
Projects We’re Proud Of
The Z Project!
During the summer of 2019, members of the Napa Vally School Garden Network grew veggies for the cafeteria! Dubbed The Z Project, this pilot involved ten school and community gardens in growing, harvesting, and selling zucchini/summer squash to for school lunch. Read more about The Z Project in The Napa Register.
Members of the School Garden Task Force at Ag Day 2014. Parents and teachers work together to maintain a school garden. Teachers investigate ingredients for making seed starting mix.
Sustaining School Gardens through a Community of Practice

Growing a Garden as a Metaphor for Hope
Fighting racial injustice must begin somewhere. For me, that somewhere is hope.

When Weeds Get In the Way
Not all weeds are bad, but these tips help keep the bad guys in check.

Still Vermi-composting After All These Years: A Tribute to Will Allen
Vermicomposting is a simple, yet rewarding way to teach about decomposition while enriching the school garden.

Take Advantage of School Garden Networking Opportunities
This past week offered a whirlwind of activity in the various community groups to which I belong, namely the UC Master Gardeners of Napa County School Garden Task Force and the Napa Chapter of the Farmers Guild. Here are a few highlights, along with a gentle nudge to get involved yourself. The School Garden Task Force was…