Cook Children’s Center for Community Health (C4CH) Fall Gardening Workshop

2026-08-29

On August 29, 2026, Cook Children’s Center for Community Health (C4CH) in partnership with North Texas School Garden Network held their Fall Garden Workshop at Aldersgate UMC and The Giving Garden of Carrollton. There were about 40 teachers and community members participating in the workshop. They included both C4CH school and community organizations whose gardens they support as well as those who were just interested in learning how to start a garden on their campus in the future. There were two breakout sessions, one for those with school gardens and those with other types of gardens. The Giving Gardens board members, Terri Barrett, Cindy Baxley, Laura Margadonna, and Martha Grizzel attended the workshop to share their experiences and knowledge of community gardening. Nathan Murugesh and Lisa Ingalls also dropped in at the beginning of the meeting; Lisa, having been a long-term member of school administration and teaching, kicked off the meeting with words of empathy and inspiration for the audience's endeavors. Afterwards, Terri provided an overview of how The Giving Garden went from just a concept to today's reality where it now serves neighbors in need in our area. The school representatives took the opportunity to tour our garden before, during break, and after the half-day meeting. Everyone was complimentary of the garden's appearance and it also served as an example of the many ways an established garden can benefit the community.