March Reflections in the Garden
Topic: The Louisiana Farm to School Program and Local Food Systems
Louisiana’s Farm to School movement is transforming how children learn about and connect with fresh local food. In this session, horticulture professor and statewide Farm to School leader Dr. Carl Motsenbocker will explore how school gardens, classroom agriculture, and local food sourcing strengthen both student learning and community food systems. Attendees will gain insight into how these programs are developed, how they support farmers and educators, and how they cultivate lifelong skills in nutrition, sustainability, and environmental stewardship. Whether you are an educator, gardener, parent, or community member, this talk will highlight the powerful impact of Farm to School initiatives across Louisiana.
Speaker: Dr. Carl Motsenbocker, Professor of Horticulture, Local Food Systems & Sustainable Agriculture, LSU & LSU AgCenter
About the Speaker:
Dr. Carl Motsenbocker is a professor of horticulture, local food systems and sustainable agriculture at Louisiana State University and LSU AgCenter. Motsenbocker has an extension appointment with three extension programs: Executive Director of the Louisiana Farm to School Program, co-state lead for the Louisiana Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, and PI for Grow Louisiana beginning farmer (sustainable horticulture/business) training program.
At LSU he teaches Organic Gardening and Sustainable Crop Production (HORT 2525), Sustainable Agriculture (HORT 4545), the Principles and Practices of Olericulture (HORT 4083, vegetable crops), and LSU in Thailand study abroad Motsenbocker is an avid gardener, lifelong learner, and first worked with school gardens while a Peace Corps volunteer in northeast Thailand. Motsenbocker has worked with students and food producers on 3 continents in growing food and supporting sustainable local food systems and increasing food security.
Motsenbocker leads the Seeds to Success: The Louisiana Farm to School team. Over the past eight years the Farm to School Team has developed trainings, resources and a website (seedstosuccess.com) to support farm to school and farm to ECE statewide in the three tenets of farm to school: growing food at school in the garden and classroom; education, curriculum and lesson plans; and sourcing local food.
Event Details:
March 2, 2026 from 12 pm to 1 pm at the Ione Burden Conference Center (4560 Essen Lane, Baton Rouge, LA 70809)
Reflections in the Garden is a monthly "lunch and learn" series presented by the Friends of LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens. The lectures are generally held on the first Monday of the month at noon at the Botanic Gardens.
Reflections in the Garden is live-streamed to members of the Friends of the LSU AgCenter Botanic Gardens through Microsoft Teams. In-person attendance is open to both members and nonmembers with registration.
