2025 was quite a year for the Teaching Garden at Herff Farm.
Over the past season, we expanded our growing space and cultivated more than 70 varieties of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, each planted with purpose and a belief that learning begins with getting your hands in the soil.
Visitors who joined us on Saturdays during the Cibolo Farmers Market were able to tour each section of the garden, ask questions and see firsthand how food is grown in the Texas Hill Country.
We are especially grateful to the many volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to planting, tending and harvesting alongside our staff, helping the Teaching Garden thrive and making each season possible.
Our Teen Ambassadors also play an important role during the market by welcoming visitors, running our farm stand, and helping connect our community to the story behind each harvest.
In just six short months, we harvested 1,500 pounds of produce. Of that, 864 pounds were sold at the Herff Farm Stand during the farmer’s market.
We donated another 700 pounds of produce to the Hill Country Family Services Food Pantry, helping provide healthy, nourishing food to families in our community.
Every tomato, cucumber, bunch of greens, and sprig of herbs represents something bigger than a number: it represents teamwork, stewardship and the belief that access to fresh food matters.
As we begin 2026, the Teaching Garden continues to grow — not only in what we plant, but also in our educational resources for Boerne and beyond. We’re excited to continue partnering with organizations across Texas to provide hands-on learning opportunities.
One area of growing interest is fungi, and we will be offering classes on mushrooms, including how to cook with them and how to grow your own at home.
We also have more learning opportunities on the horizon, including beekeeping, sourdough baking, floral arranging and a variety of classes focused on organic gardening practices that thrive in our region.
Our Fall Organic Garden Series in September will feature an exciting group of speakers and
CIBOLO CONSERVATION CENTER
SARAH BERRINGER
FARM EDUCATION DIRECTOR
interactive experiences designed to help gardeners of all skill levels feel more confident and inspired. This fall, we’re also excited to introduce a new Farmto- Table event where local chefs create a seasonal meal using vegetables harvested from our own Teaching Garden.
Another major milestone is the completion of our new Herb Garden, thoughtfully designed and divided into sections featuring both medicinal and culinary herbs.
We are also trialing several varieties of lavender to determine which are best suited for our climate. Later this summer, we will offer a seasonal herbal series exploring herbs for wellness, simple herbal preparations for home use, and the best herbs to use in the kitchen.
One of the most meaningful projects ahead is the construction of our Garden of Dreams, beginning in February. Designed with seniors in mind, it will include accessible raised beds, shade structures, seating, and a living wall. The garden will focus on sensory experiences fragrance, texture, sound and color — creating a place for reflection and connection. Even more importantly, it will serve as a place where seniors and children can garden side by side, building relationships through shared purpose.
We are also thrilled to partner with Texas A&M AgriLife to launch a Junior Master Gardener Club focused on curriculum- based projects that build confidence, encourage responsibility and ignite a passion for service.
The Teaching Garden is not just about plants. It’s about advancing our mission. Every experience embraces education, conservation, and community — inviting people of all ages to connect with the land, learn sustainable practices, and grow alongside one another.
We invite you to visit us on Saturdays during the Farmers Market to see these projects unfold, tour the garden, and sign up for upcoming classes. Come grow with us.
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