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The Garden Club of America recently recognized Director of Roots Farm Sharon Hood (aka Farmer Hood) for her outstanding contributions to environmental education. At a recent presentation on campus, alumni parent Dr. Janet Brown awarded Hood with the prestigious Elizabeth Abernathy Hull Award for Early Environmental Education. The honor is presented annually to individuals who inspire children to connect deeply with the natural world.

Hood was nominated for the award in recognition of her transformative work growing Roots Farm from a modest community garden into a vibrant 10-acre hub for hands-on learning, sustainability, and community engagement. Under her leadership, the farm has become a central part of the McDonogh experience for students of all ages. Each year, students plant, care for, and harvest crops while exploring the rich biodiversity of plant and insect life. They also prepare meals using ingredients from the farm in the Roots Culinary Kitchen, discovering the powerful connections between food, health, society, and the environment. These immersive experiences cultivate a deep understanding of—and responsibility for—the natural world.

During the presentation, Brown praised Hood for “sparking curiosity, cultivating environmental responsibility, and helping young people grow into thoughtful stewards of the Earth.”

For Hood, the reward is not only in the recognition but in witnessing students engage meaningfully with the farm. “Being recognized by such a prestigious organization for doing the work I love is a true honor,” she says, adding, “Whether they’re planting seeds, harvesting vegetables, observing pollinators in action, or preparing farm-to-table recipes, students are learning lessons that last well beyond the growing season.”

Hood’s work exemplifies McDonogh’s commitment to experiential education and sustainability—values that are deeply rooted in the school’s mission.