Webinar Archive
Growing Students and Teachers: Overcoming School Garden Barriers in Ohio’s Largest School District – 8/19/26
Columbus City Schools (CCS) is bridging the gap between urban youth and agricultural opportunity. With 47,000+ students across a highly diverse population, CCS has built Ohio’s largest school-based agriculture program, spanning 80 schools and 300+ classrooms supported by the leverage of over $1 million in partnerships. In collaboration with community partners, including experts from Ohio State University Extension, CCS is strengthening pathways for urban students to engage in hands-on agricultural learning and access real-world expertise that deepens classroom impact.
Participants will leave with insights on how to scale a data-driven, teacher-informed program that brings hands-on food growing into urban schools while minimizing burden on educators.
Presented by:
- Katie Young, Farm to School Coordinator at Columbus City schools, OH.
- Timothy McDermott, Assistant Professor of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Ohio State University Extension, OH.
This webinar is part of the 2026 Growing School Gardens Summit Webinar Series, highlighting presenters from the 2026 Growing School Gardens Summit held in Phoenix, Arizona. The series is hosted by the SGSO Network and KidsGardening and generously funded by the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation.