About community gardening:
A special message for spring 2022
As the beauty of spring surrounds us and with Earth Day circled on our calendars for April 22, and as all of us get our gardens growing, we can pause a moment to hold our fellow gardeners in Ukraine in our thoughts and prayers. Here, a group in Kyiv plants a tree, in better times before the current conflict. In 2021, President Zelensky of Ukraine announced the ambitious goal of planting one billion trees over the next three years. This inspiring call to environmental action is now obscured by missiles and carnage. Let all of us work together for the day when humanity can stop fighting ourselves and start taking care of our planet. May this coming season bring peace and justice, in Ukraine, in the US and Canada, and throughout the world. In solidarity with Ukraine, community gardens across the US and Canada are planting sunflowers, Ukraine's national symbol. Please join us.
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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Photo courtesy WikiMedia, photographer Anntinomy
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ACGA broke a Guinness Book World Record on Earth Day 2022, live on national TV!
Joined by community gardeners, urban farmers, and all kinds of garden lovers from across North America, we helped shatter the old record for gardeners watering their plants and trees at the same time. 799 gardeners and small farmers took part, watering their plants simultaneously for 20 seconds. The old record? Just 249.
We at ACGA helped turn a rising wave into a full on tsunami. Board Member Wendy Iles from Hampton, Virginia, gathered 100 local community gardeners to participate in this record breaking event. As your ACGA President, I organized 62 community gardeners and farmers from across the metro Atlanta Urban area. The event was broadcast live on NBC's Today Show on national television.
Community Gardeners are movers and shakers, we get the job done. We are the driving force that helps feed families and neighbors, and that brings people together for fellowship , networking and much more. We know what a watering can is for. Just try one of our delicious home-grown tomatoes! We always plant plenty to share.
Want to grow food for yourself and your neighbors, cultivate community, take care of the Earth, set World records, (and have fun?) Join ACGA, and put our experience to work for you at the closest community garden in your area. Don’t have one yet? Start one - and we’ll help you.
Water you waiting for?
Special thanks to Erin Dixon, producer of the Today Show, for giving ACGA this opportunity to make horticultural history.
Cathy Walker
President
The American Community Gardening Association
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Photo: Cathy Walker ACGA President organizes her waterers in Atlanta just minutes before breaking the world record.
ACGA breaks Guinness record
on Earth Day 2022
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.)
President's May message
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On 3-4 March, 2022, Growing Communities came to LaGrange, GA, with a group including many young African-Americans. ACGA’s Terri Carter and Charlie Monroe facilitated. The LaGrange workshop included a visit to Piney Woods, a non-profit 100 acre farm. At both workshops, public officials, park employees, and Cooperative Extension agents paid a visit, making them ideal for networking and finding resources.
Don’t be left out!
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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. To learn more and sign up, visit our Events Page.
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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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(Photo: Piney Woods staff show Growing Communities participants around a Georgia farm. ACGA lead trainer (and former President) Charlie Monroe is at the far left. Photo: Farmer Terri Carter.)
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ACGA Growing Communities workshops feature super-learning and super-foods
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
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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