BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture announced the winners of the 2026 Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest, held in partnership with Farm Credit.
The contest highlights the gardens and farm-to-school activities in public and private K-12 schools, early childhood education facilities and alternative learning environments.
Eight schools from across the state received awards and $1,000 or $500 prizes, including the WILD About Learning Academy in Bentonville.
“When students plant a seed and care for it through harvest, they get a lesson that goes well beyond the garden – an appreciation for the hard work it takes to put food on the table,” Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders said in a news release. “These schools are bringing Arkansas’ agricultural traditions into the school day, giving kids a chance to learn hands-on, and try something they grew themselves. Congratulations to this year’s winners and the educators and community partners helping these gardens thrive.”
WILD is an early childhood academy that serves children from ages six weeks old through five years old.
The academy earned the Best Education Garden for early childhood.
The awards are meant to celebrate October, which is Arkansas Farm to School Month.
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“We appreciate Governor Sanders and Farm Credit for their continued leadership in promoting farm to school efforts across Arkansas,” Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward said in a news release. “Farm to School Month is an important reminder of how integrating agriculture into our classrooms helps students understand where their food comes from and the essential role agriculture plays in their daily lives. We congratulate this year’s award recipients for their dedication to providing hands-on learning experiences that connect students directly to Arkansas agriculture.”
The seven other winners are Carolyn Lewis Elementary in Conway, Yellville‑Summit Schools in Yellville, Nemo Vista High School (FCCLA) in Center Ridge and Little Rock Christian Academy, Pulaski Heights Elementary, North Little Rock 6 – Agricultural & Veterinary Science Elementary and Glenview Elementary in Little Rock.
More information about the contest can be found on the Arkansas DOA’s website.
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