What Students Learn at Ridglea Giving Garden: TEKS-Friendly Field Trips and Workshops in Fort Worth

Hands-on gardening, science, and sustainability education for learners of all ages

Ridglea Giving Garden isn’t just a place to grow food—it’s a place to grow minds. This volunteer-led urban farm in Fort Worth offers a full lineup of educational experiences for schools, homeschoolers, families, and curious adults. Whether you're studying soil science or learning how to cook with garden produce, Ridglea makes real-world learning accessible, engaging, and rooted in community values.

Many of these programs are designed in collaboration with educators and directly support the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards—especially in science, environmental literacy, and health. Others offer rich enrichment and life skills that complement classroom learning and connect participants with nature.

Below, you’ll find a guide to Ridglea’s educational offerings, organized by theme and age range to help you find the right fit for your group.

Want to understand how these experiences connect to Texas learning standards?

👉 Read how Delve Experiences support TEKS across Texas

🌿 Field Trips for Schools and Homeschool Groups

🪴 Field Trip: Exploring the Garden Ecosystem

Grades: Pre-K through Elementary

Students explore soil, pollinators, and plant life in an interactive outdoor setting. Activities include a pollination game, compost detective station, and collective journaling.

TEKS Focus: Ecosystems, life cycles, soil health, plant parts, observation

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🥕 Field Trip: Garden Tasting & Fighting Hunger

Grades: Middle School through College

This impactful experience blends science and social studies, inviting students to taste garden produce, explore nutrition, and understand food insecurity. Includes a guided tasting, discussion, and equity-themed activity.

TEKS Focus: Food systems, nutrition, community health, civic engagement

👉 Book this food systems field trip

🪱 Field Trip: Become a Soil Scientist

Grades: Elementary and Middle School

Students dig into soil science through hands-on testing, worm observation, and compost exploration. Each participant takes home a mini wormery and planting supplies.

TEKS Focus: Decomposition, ecosystems, scientific tools, plant needs

👉 Book this soil science field trip

🛠️ Gardening Workshops for Families and Adults

♻️ Composting Made Easy: Hands-On Workshop

Audience: Adults and families

Participants explore Ridglea’s compost systems, learn to build and maintain their own, and leave with a starter kit.

Topics Covered: Decomposition, food waste reduction, sustainable gardening

👉 Book this composting workshop

🌱 Seed Starting & Transplanting

Audience: Adults and families

Learn how to start seeds indoors, transplant them successfully, and plan for Texas growing seasons. Participants leave with supplies and a planting guide.

Topics Covered: Germination, plant growth, seasonal gardening

👉 Book this seed starting class

💧 Irrigation & Watering for Garden Success

Audience: Adults and families

Tour Ridglea’s food production garden and learn water-smart techniques to keep your plants thriving through Texas heat and drought.

Topics Covered: Water conservation, irrigation methods, plant care

👉 Book this irrigation class

🐞 Nature & Ecosystems: Garden-Based Science

🐛 Understanding Garden Insects: Helpers & Pests

Audience: Two versions: Family (all ages) or Adult

The family version features scavenger hunts and insect crafts; the adult version covers organic pest management and garden planning.

Topics Covered: Insect identification, biodiversity, sustainable gardening

👉 Book this insect class

Want a deeper dive into pollination and hive life?

👉 Check out our mobile Honeybee Show-and-Tell experience

🍽️ Food Literacy & Cooking

🍲 Garden Tasting & Cooking Demonstration

Audience: Families, homeschool groups, and clubs

Harvest, prep, and taste garden-fresh ingredients while learning beginner-friendly, plant-based recipes. Great for all ages.

Topics Covered: Nutrition, seasonal eating, basic cooking and gardening skills

👉 Book this cooking class

🎯 Need Help Choosing?

If you're not sure which class or field trip is the best fit, we’re happy to help. Whether you're a teacher, homeschool parent, or group organizer, you can:

📩 Contact us to ask questions

✏️ Note on TEKS and Educational Value

Many of Ridglea’s programs are developed with TEKS goals in mind—especially for science, sustainability, and food systems. Some are enrichment-focused and designed to build life skills, confidence, and community connection. All are hands-on, welcoming, and rooted in real-world learning.

Looking for more TEKS-supportive field trips in the Dallas–Fort Worth area?

👉 Explore other DFW field trips that support TEKS