Youth Gardening - American Horticultural Society

Cultivating Future Generations of Gardeners

The American Horticultural Society (AHS) wants children and youth to know about the importance and benefits of gardening. To that end, we help provide educators with the tools and resources needed for successful children and youth gardening programs. And we provide numerous opportunities at our River Farm headquarters for school groups and families to engage with gardens and to learn about environmentally responsible gardening techniques.

Our Offerings for Educators & Families:

National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

For more than 30 years, AHS’s National Children & Youth Garden Symposium (NCYGS) has educated thousands of teachers who have, in turn, gone on to educate over a million children.

Julia Rappaport Growing Gardeners Fund

The Julia Rappaport Growing Gardeners Fund provides $1,000 – $2,000 annually to one educator to start or expand a garden or gardening science project at their school or community.

Educator Resources

Explore a variety of resources, including our monthly Youth Gardening Gazette, to help engage children and youth in gardening.

Growing Good Kids Book Awards

See our annual awards for the best children’s books about gardening, nature, and the environment.

Find a Garden

Find an AHS Reciprocal Admissions Program garden near you to enjoy with your family!

Children’s Garden at River Farm

At our River Farm headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, we have a whimsical Children’s Garden that was one of the first to be developed in the United States.