Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County Announce 2025–2026 Horticulture Grant Recipients
The Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County (EMGV) are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025–2026 EMGV Horticulture Grant. This annual grant program supports innovative, hands-on horticulture projects that enhance student learning and connect classroom instruction to real-world environmental and agricultural experiences.
Following a competitive application process, three educators in Lenoir County were selected based on creativity, student impact, curriculum connection, sustainability, and effective use of funds. The 2025–2026 grant recipients and their projects are:
Sheree Casias – South Lenoir High School
Art in the Garden: Connecting Horticulture and Creativity at South Lenoir High School
This project blends visual arts and horticulture, allowing students to explore creative expression through garden-based learning. By integrating art with hands-on gardening experiences, students can study horticulture by sketching and creating botanical illustrations and eco-inspired artwork. By adding perennial plants into the space, the garden will continue to thrive after being established.
Kennedy Odom – Contentnea-Savannah K–8 School
Planting the Future: Rebuilding Our School Garden Beds
This project focuses on rebuilding and expanding the school’s garden by constructing new raised beds. Students will take part in every stage of the process, from construction to planting and maintenance, gaining practical agricultural skills while learning about sustainability, teamwork, and food production.
The raised beds at Contentnea-Savannah were originally designed and built by one of our current Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, Jeannie Holmes. The current raised beds, originally funded by The Rotary Club of Kinston, were built and installed in 2014. “This project was one we were all excited to see when reading over the grant applications,” stated Paige Petticrew Consumer Horticulture Agent and EMGV Advisor for Lenoir County. “Jeannie is especially excited to see the rebuilding of the beds and see them being used again on the 6-8 hall!”
Jessica Jones – Woodington Middle School
Sustainable Solutions: Growing More with Less
This project emphasizes sustainability with the usage of a hydroponic garden tower. Students will learn strategies for conserving resources while maximizing plant growth, by growing fresh herbs and greens indoors year-round. This project will encourage learners in thinking about alternative ways to grow produce and how to have a smaller footprint when doing so.
“These projects truly reflect the mission of the EMGV Horticulture Grant,” said Petticrew. “Each recipient has designed a project that not only supports curriculum goals but also provides meaningful, hands-on learning experiences centered around horticulture that students will carry with them well beyond the classroom.”
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The EMGV Horticulture Grant awards up to $300 per project and is funded through the Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County’s annual plant sales and fundraising efforts. Projects will be implemented during the 2025–2026 school year, with final evaluations submitted by May 2026.
For more information about the EMGV Horticulture Grant or other Extension Master Gardener programs, contact the Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Office or visit the Lenoir County Extension website.
Pictured in the photo (left to right): Jessica Jones and Sheree Casias
Photo taken by Joel Dixon
Written by: Paige Petticrew, Lenoir County Extension Consumer Horticulture Agent & Advisor to Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Lenoir County
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