This year, our NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association of Onslow County was able to give back to local schools through their new horticulture grant program. Teachers applied to receive one of five $500 grants to fund a horticulture related program for their students.

Thank you to all the teachers who applied, we received fantastic applications. After much deliberation by our Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, they selected their winners for the 2025-26 Horticulture Grant:

• Teachers will provide kindergarten students with raised garden beds to support hands-on learning in science and math. Students will explore plant life cycles, weather, and measurement through direct observation and care of the garden. The outdoor space will enhance academic learning, promote curiosity, and encourage responsibility and teamwork. This garden will serve as a living classroom that brings real-world experiences into daily instruction.

• 2nd-grade students will engage in immersive, hands-on learning experience exploring life cycles and plant growth through gardening and insect observation. This project will provide seeds, vegetables, and soil for our already existing raised flower beds, as well as habitats to hatch and study butterflies, praying mantises, mealworms, and ladybugs. These activities align with our core curriculum standards and enhance experiential learning.

• This project will establish a classroom-scale aquaponics system that integrates pond agriculture (fish) with horticulture (plants) to provide 6th grade science students with a hands-on learning experience in sustainability, ecology, and food systems. Students will build and maintain the system, collect scientific data, and explore the connections between ecosystems and human agriculture.

• The White Oak Butterfly Sanctuary will expand upon the existing Honey Bee Education Center and apiary to create an outdoor habitat focused on native butterfly and pollinator species. Students will design and build raised planter boxes to grow native host and nectar plants, as well as specialized planters for native carnivorous species. The sanctuary will become a living classroom that connects STEM learning with conservation and environmental stewardship.

• This project combines an Employment Preparation Class and a Horticulture Class to equip students with essential life and career skills while actively contributing to the community through the Bucket Brigade Program. Students will assist in growing and distributing starter plants to local families, promoting sustainability, food access, and community engagement. The Horticultural Employment Preparation Class will provide hands-on experience in gardening, plant care, and environmental responsibility.