Georgia Smart School Gardens
Growing Georgia's K–5 Agricultural Future Through Smart Technology Education
With support from the PIN, the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA), in collaboration with Georgia Farm Bureau and other partners, is launching the Georgia Smart School Gardens Pilot—a first-of-its-kind network of smart garden demonstration sites in rural Georgia elementary schools.
This initiative transforms traditional school gardens into interactive agri-STEM labs using solar-powered irrigation, environmental sensors, robotics, and AI journaling tools. These outdoor classrooms will empower students to explore sustainability, food systems, and digital literacy through hands-on learning aligned with Georgia’s K–5 curriculum.
Why Smart School Gardens?
Across Georgia, many school gardens struggle with maintenance, seasonal disruptions, and limited classroom integration. The Georgia Smart School Gardens Pilot addresses these challenges by introducing low-maintenance, high-impact technology that supports:
- Climate literacy
- Digital fluency
- Food system awareness
- Career exposure in agri-tech
By embedding real-time technology into outdoor learning, students gain early exposure to 21st-century skills while connecting with Georgia’s agricultural heritage.
Project Highlights
- 4 Smart Garden Sites: Located in Colquitt, Lowndes, and Liberty counties.
- PIN Fellowship Program: Increased Capacity for Smart School Garden Technology Implementation.
- Technology Integration: Solar irrigation, sensors, QR codes, AI journaling, and smart chicken coops.
- Curriculum Alignment: Designed with Georgia Farm Bureau to meet K–5 STEM standards.
- Educator Support: Professional development, lesson plans, and coaching.
- Community Engagement: School showcases, storytelling, and replication toolkits.
