Project Facts
About the Project
The Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture and Development, and the Junior Master Gardener ® (JMG) Program at Texas A&M AgriLife, in partnership with Mercy Corps, successfully adapted and implemented JMG’s “Learn, Grow, Eat and Go!” (LGEG) curriculum in Kyrgyzstan. This initiative was part of the USDA-funded McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program and aimed to address critical gaps in child nutrition, education, and community engagement.
The research-backed LGEG curriculum was selected for implementation in Kyrgyzstan based on its proven success in connecting learning, nutrition, and school gardening for elementary school students in the U.S. The curriculum was modified to reflect local culture, environmental conditions, and available resources. It was translated into Kyrgyz and Russian and officially approved by the Kyrgyz Academy of Education within the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The JMG program provided training for 539 local educators, parents, and community members, and was delivered through summer and fall camps, ultimately reaching 1,699 students. Fresh produce cultivated in the gardens was utilized in practical nutrition education and school meals. The initiative successfully built local capacity, enhanced scientific knowledge and nutrition education, and fostered sustainable, hands-on learning in participating schools.
Kyrgyzstan – Junior Master Gardener
McGovern-Dole Success Story: Kyrgyzstan | USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
Project Achievements
- 54 Master Trainers from 31 schools, fully trained in LGEG curricula implementation in either Russian or Kyrgyz
- 485 Parents, teachers, staff, and volunteers trained to support LGEG curriculum implementation as School Initiative Groups (SIG)
- 204 SIG members actively assisted the MTs in garden and classroom activities
- 113 SIG members demonstrating gardening skills related to LGEG curriculum implementation
- 1,699 Students trained in school gardening
- 25 schools reporting on the use of produce from school gardens in recipe demonstrations and school meals
- High rates of satisfaction and appreciation by MT and SIG members.
- Participants’ strong and continued interest in school gardening after the project concluded its activities. Social media posting and participation in international online conferences illustrate this.
Sustainable Development Goals
This project contributes to the following United Nations Sustainable development Goals (SDGs). To learn more about these goals, visit UN Division for Sustainable Development Goals.
