Workshops

Upcoming Lettuce Learn
2018 School Garden Leadership Conference

Click here to register for the School Garden Leadership Conference

Featuring edible landscaping expert Brie Arthur, the School Garden Leadership Conference is for formal and informal educators interested in learning about how to incorporate "foodscaping" (ie. edible landscaping) into their personal or school garden and how to utilize the space as a learning environment for children in grades K-12. Continuing education credits offered through Appalachian State University's Math and Science Education Center.

Sponsors for this event include: Math and Science Education Center, Watauga Cooperative Extension, Reeves DiVenere Wright Attorneys at Law and ReGear Outdoors.

Interested in learning about foodscaping in public spaces? Join us for Edible Streetscapes: A Visionary Walking Tour of Downtown Boone with Brie Arthur.

About Brie Arthur:
Originally from southeastern Michigan, Brie Arthur studied Landscape Design and Horticulture at Purdue University. With more than a decade of experience as a grower and propagator at leading nurseries such as Plant Delights and Camellia Forest, she now combines her passion for plants and sustainable land management by communicating the value of gardening across the US. Brie has been dubbed a revolutionary for her leadership in the suburban Foodscape movement and for her work with public schools across the US. She appears as correspondent on the PBS Television show “Growing A Greener World” and her debut book, The Foodscape Revolution has become a bestseller on Amazon. In 2017 Brie was honored as the first recipient of the The American Horticultural Society's Emerging Horticultural Professional Award. As Vice President of Horticulture at Gardenuity, Brie is able to use her plant knowledge and extensive grower network to reach consumers nationally. Her second book, Gardening with Grains published by St Lynn’s Press, will be available in winter 2019.

Schedule for the day
9 - 9:30 a.m. Registration
9:30 - 10 a.m. Site identification considerations- things to consider when siting your garden
10 - 11 a.m. Best perennial combinations: rain gardens, pollinators and food production
11:00 - 11:45 a.m. Downsizing for the future
11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. LUNCH
12:30 - 1:00 p.m. School Garden Fair- possible booths include vermiculture, beekeeping, Suncatcher greenhouse stations
1:00 - 1:30 p.m. Foodscaping from Seed- Teaching the next generation about the art and science of gardening
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Teaching next gen- curriculum-based garden activities
2:30 - 3 p.m. Reflection and Next steps

More info on "Best perennial combinations"
Foodscape design requires a well balanced mix of flowering and edibles plants. Brie shares her favorite perennials for the seasonal foodscape. Learn how to layer perennials in with your favorite vegetables to increase beauty and pollinator activity. She shares management strategies to make your edible perennial border low maintenance and full of life.

More info on "Downsizing for the future"
Foodscaping is all about making the most of the square footage that is available. Discover strategies to cultivate a smaller footprint and still grow the flowers and food you love. Brie shares insights on how to design and seasonally manage a downsized garden. Learn about growing with new technologies, including Aeroponic and Hydroponic systems by integrating them into your landscapes and patios as well as vertical systems such as Live Wall and Live Screen. From container plantings to property borders, even the smallest gardens can offer beauty and bounty.

More info on "Teaching the next gen"
The most important thing we can do as stewards of the earth is teach the next generation to value the resources of the natural world. Brie has taken the foodscape platform into schools across the US, working with administrators, teachers, parents and ground management staff to create sustainable, low maintenance food systems throughout campus properties. She collaborates with teachers to extend garden curriculum and engages community resources to ensure long term funding. Brie features initiatives to crowdsource, grant opportunities and strategies to reach corporate sponsorship dollars. Empower students to learn practical skills by creating a garden classroom. Healthy living starts in every school.