Meet a Gardener: Kitchen Garden

Program: Meet a Gardener: Kitchen Garden

Venue: The Huntington, Kitchen Garden, San Marino, California

Role: Evaluation Manager

🌿 Program Overview

As Evaluation Manager, I assessed Meet a Gardener: Kitchen Garden, an informal educational program co-created by gardeners Aaron Spoto and Andrew Shewell. Designed to support visitor learning and engagement, the program invited guests into the Kitchen Garden for hands-on, drop-in sessions focused on sustainable gardening practices.

🪴 Garden Experience

Visitors participated in relaxed, informative discussions on topics such as:

• • Pollinators and their role in garden health
• • Pest management strategies
• • General gardening tips and seasonal care practices

The sessions also featured hands-on activities for children, including arts and crafts, and guided garden tours that highlighted the diverse plants and design of the Kitchen Garden.

⏱ Session Structure

Each session included a 20-minute presentation followed by a 20-minute Q&A, repeated throughout the day. This format allowed visitors to come and go freely, interact directly with the gardeners, ask questions, and share personal gardening stories.

👥 Audience Engagement

The program attracted a diverse and multigenerational audience—including families, seniors, and couples—creating a warm, inclusive atmosphere. Visitors valued the opportunity for informal learning, direct interaction with experts, and the opportunity to explore the garden in a meaningful, hands-on way.