Full Plate

Educational Leadership & Workshops

Meet our expert facilitators and view our community learning matrix.

Meet Our Educational Facilitators

Professor Victor Khen
(Technical Agricultural Expert)

Professor Victor Khen of Tuskegee University brings extensive expertise in small-space agriculture, urban cultivation, and sustainable farming systems through the Carver Integrative Sustainable Agriculture initiative. As a featured educational speaker and workshop leader, he bridges the gap between academic agricultural science and community cultivation. Through dynamic, hands-on instructional sessions at the garden, Professor Khen trains our senior gardeners and community volunteers in optimal backyard gardening techniques, small-space cultivation strategies, precision soil management, and proper fertilizer application. His training ensures our beds remain highly productive and resilient to maximize local food security.

Chef Ama Shambulia
(Project & Wellness Facilitator)

Chef Ama Shambulia serves as a vital Project Facilitator for Project Full Plate, leading our community food education and culinary wellness programs. Collaborating through A Beautiful Life Enterprises LLC, Chef Ama coordinates interactive wellness cooking demonstrations and educational programming that connect our fresh harvests directly to community wellness. Her specialized training teaches local families and seniors how to transform bagged garden produce into delicious, plant-forward meals. Her curriculum focuses on sustainable nutrition, holistic well-being, healthy ingredient preparation, and health-centered beverage tastings, making nutrition accessible to all.

Upcoming & Past Educational Programs

Space is limited for our interactive workshops. Please coordinate with Garden Coordinator Shirley Cotton at 205-603-0882 to reserve your seat or inquire about upcoming schedules.

Course Focus & Date

Backyard & Small-Space Cultivation April 2026 Demonstration Lab

Agriculture Workshop: Harvesting & SpacingMay 11 (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM)

Community Food Education & WellnessRecurring Seasonal Sessions

Expert Lead

Professor Victor Khen (Tuskegee University)

Professor Victor Khen (Tuskegee University)

Chef Ama Shambulia (A Beautiful Life Enterprises)

Core Instructional Curriculum Summary

Practical lab demonstrating layout spacing configurations for urban container pots, vertical systems, and compact elevated beds.

Comprehensive technical training detailing when and how to harvest delicate crops, proper handling, produce preservation, and seed saving.

Live culinary wellness courses mapping fresh garden harvests into plant-forward meal prep, healthy cooking habits, and beverage tastings.