Junior Master Gardener Virtual National Leader Training Conference set for Feb. 18-19
Teachers, administrators and program leaders explore gardening-based education at 25th anniversary celebration
The 2025 Junior Master Gardener, JMG, Virtual National Leader Training Conference will be held Feb. 18-19, hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the International Junior Master Gardener Program.
The JMG program started at AgriLife Extension and is celebrating its 25th anniversary by continuing to inspire educators and students alike.
Registration for the conference is now open. For more information on session details, registration options and costs, visit https://jmgkids.us/2025jmgnlt/. The deadline to register is Feb. 10. Late registration will not be accepted.
Conference attendees can receive 26 continuing education units and will be able to view all keynote and concurrent sessions for up to four months after the event.
Building on skills and outreach
The virtual conference will allow teachers, administrators, community volunteers and youth program leaders to deepen their knowledge and connect with peers to create and strengthen their gardening-based education programs.
This conference is designed to equip educators with the tools they need to engage students and families and cultivate sustainable gardens in schools and communities nationwide.
The virtual conference attendees will gain the skills and resources to enhance their programs, including curriculum implementation, project-based learning and effective group management.
Participants will also learn how to access Junior Master Gardener registration and certification options, engage community partners, including Extension educators and volunteers in various states, expand program reach into schools and clubs, generate funding and build sustainable programs through collaborations.
“This program has given me the confidence to help my students grow their own organic fruits and vegetables, teaching them the hard work behind harvesting what they sow,” said Leticia Rodriguez, a JMG teacher at Baker Montessori School in Houston. “It’s rewarding to see them take pride in growing their own food and sharing it with others.”
Participants will also experience the diverse world of Junior Master Gardener programs through virtual field trips.
Journey from Champlin, Minnesota, with Casey Wiedenman at Champlin-Brooklyn Park Academy, to Zapata, Texas, with Sammy Luera, AgriLife Extension health agent. Explore Jackson, Mississippi, with Rolando Roman at St. Andrew’s Episcopal School, and even travel internationally to Osh, Kyrgyzstan, with Dastan Mamytov, JMG program coordinator, Kyrgyzstan.
These spotlight sessions offer unique insights and best practices from a variety of program settings.
Keynote speakers and sessions
The conference will feature keynote speakers, expert panelists and in-depth sessions on a wide range of topics to support sustainable garden programs.
“I am thrilled to be speaking at the 2025 Junior Master Gardening Leadership Training Conference,” said keynote speaker Betti Wiggins, senior executive director for nutrition services at Houston Independent School District. “In my session, I will dive into how school gardens and nutrition programs cultivate communities from the ground up.”
Other keynote speakers will be:
- Jay Maddock, Regents Professor at Texas A&M’s Department of Environmental and Occupational Health within the university’s School of Public Health and director of the Center for Health and Nature.
- Mamytov, coordinator and trainer for AgriLife Extension’s s Junior Master Gardener Project in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Daily highlights will be:
Day 1 will explore best practices in garden-based learning, project-based learning, managing student groups and how to involve local Extension offices, volunteers and parents. Attendees will also hear success stories from educators running thriving programs.
Day 2 will dive into the sustainability of youth garden programs through community collaborations, funding generation and measuring program impact. Educators will also gain insight into the role of local Extension offices, volunteers and parents in strengthening their programs.
