AMERICAN COMMUNITY GARDENING ASSOCIATION
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The American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) links over 2000 gardens across the US and Canada. There isn't "one right way" to garden in community. Instead, there are lots of right answers. We find strength, sustainability, and resilience in the diversity of our gardens and members. Even in the cold of winter or facing COVID, we show resiliency. Visit "About us" to find out more. One thing is certain. Nobody can do a community garden alone. Gardeners need one another. Join us.
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About community gardening
President's message for March
Fellow community gardeners,
As gardeners, we are always grateful for something, have you noticed that? Grateful for ripe tomatoes in warm weather, and sweet collards in cold weather. Grateful when Ms. Jones helps us with weeding, and grateful when we can help Mr. Smith spread compost.
This month, as your president, I'm grateful to share a bunch of good news! First, at least in my part of the country, spring is in the air. I’m ready! (Don’t worry up North, your time will come soon.)
Second, we had a wonderful and productive ACGA Board meeting last month. Representatives of your fellow community gardeners from all across the country gathered for some serious planning about how to help gardens wherever they might be, on an urban vacant lot, behind a rural church, or in a suburban schoolyard. As a key part of urban agriculture and saving greenspace, community gardens are a democratic strategy to create places where ALL can garden.
Last but not least, I'm very grateful to announce ACGA's 2022 in-person conference host city: New Orleans, Louisiana. The dates are this fall, October 6-9, 2022. Planning in NOLA has already begun, lead by NOLA community leader and gardener Monica Clark. We will keep you posted in the months ahead, but circle the date now. Yes, even before you start another round of transplants. Imagine visiting gardens and urban agriculture projects to a NOLA beat! Laisser les jolis jardins rouler! (and the bons temps, too…)
Blessings on your gardens,
Cathy Walker
ACGA President
Join ACGA in New Orleans October 2022
The American Community Gardening Association invites all community gardeners and garden organizations, urban farmers, environmental stewards, and all friends who cultivate food and justice to join us for ACGA’s 2022 Conference in New Orleans.
ACGA conferences are unique, a place to meet and share ideas with community gardeners and garden organizations from across North America. They are informative, inspiring, and fun.
The dates are October 6 through October 9, 2022. It’s a beautiful time of year in the Big Easy, perfect weather for visiting gardens and enjoying NOLA’s legendary music and cuisine. Mark your calendars now, and watch this site for more information about attending, as well as about presenting. The conference is the perfect venue for sharing your stories and insights from your own garden and organization. See you in October!
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(Photo: An edible schoolyard in New Orleans.)
High marks and ACGA's new annual report
As you consider your plans for end-of-year contributions to your favorite organizations, you not only want to make the world greener, healthier, and more just; you also want your money to be used wisely. Highly respected non-profit rating agency Guidestar has given ACGA its Siver rating for transparency. To find out more about what we are doing, read about us in our 2020 Annual Report, compiled by ACGA Board Member (and ardent birder) Marilu Lopez-Fretts.
ACGA RATES GUIDESTAR SILVER STATUS
New members join ACGA’s Board of Directors
ACGA is delighted to welcome our new Board members: Diana Campos-Jimenez of the Los Angeles Community Garden Council in Los Angeles, California; Lara Fahnestock, of Denver Urban Gardens in Denver, Colorado; Vicki Garrett of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, and JP Maestre of the University of Texas, Austin . We congratulate them on their election, and look forward to working with them side-by-side to further the cause of community gardening in 2022.
ACGA's Growing Communities Workshops are an ideal way to strengthen your garden or community gardening program. In a focused two-day format, you will learn about organizing strategies and proven techniques to grow and improve your garden, serve your gardeners, and address perennial problems (and we don't just mean weeds!)
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Thanks to support from USDA, ACGA will be offering Growing Communities throughout the state of Georgia this spring. Don't miss out! To learn more and sign up, visit our Events Page.
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The special Georgia edition of the workshops will include a mini-workshop on SUPERFOODS (do you grow them in your garden?,) as well as a field trip to see community gardens and urban agriculture in action. Beyond the excellent class materials and 350 page manual filled with session plans you can use, Growing Communities is the perfect place to network with fellow garden organizers, make new friends, and share ideas.
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Not in Georgia? People from out-of-state are welcome to attend, and you can find out more about hosting your own workshop in your community by contacting info@community.
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...with a Growing Communities Workshop
Take your garden to the next level...
Community gardening
questions?
ACGA is a great place to ask questions and share perspectives about all aspects of community gardening. You can ask us directly via our contact form, post a note on our "Common Ground" forum, buy copies of our annual magazine addressing different community garden topics at our shop, or visit our Tool Shed page for links and references. Last but not least, you can post your garden or find a garden using our interactive garden map.
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