6th Annual Grow Gardens Conference
Where We Are Growing! Growing Healthy People; Growing Strong Communities
Are you a garden lover, sustainability advocate, food equity supporter, urban agriculturalist or just “garden-curious” and want to see what it’s all about? Then this is the place for you to be on April 6th!
2005 N Lamar Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
April 6th, 10am - 4pm
2005 N Lamar Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
What To Expect
Whether you're brand new or been in the dirt for years, we have a little bit of everything!
Hear Success Stories
Community gardens offer physical and mental health benefits. They are collaborative projects on shared open spaces where participants share in the maintenance and products of the garden, including healthful and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables.
Resources to Grow Better
Share and hear about ground level experiences in growing a successful community garden. Resources covered are how to start one, using the agricultural extension services, mentorship from the coalition, and of course, connecting with garden members.
Local Policy Implications
Gardens generate economic benefits include creating and sustaining living-wage jobs through food production, processing, and sales; improving the economic viability of local agriculture; and more efficiently using vacant or underutilized parcels through urban agriculture. Communities can also foster environmental benefits through decreasing food waste and reducing the miles food travels to store shelves.
New Initiatives via the USDA Grant
Have you heard that COCG is undertaking big initiatives? This includes the creation of urban farming-friendly policies with the city of Tampa via land use agreements and ordinances. Other aspects of the grant include urban agriculturist training, certification courses for community residents, and organizing garden markets with connections to SNAP/EBT apps. These markets will sell produce from community gardens and local growers to support sustainability.
And perhaps most importantly...
Build and Foster Lasting Connections
Join us in cultivating connections and flourishing friendships at our garden lovers' conference. Let's grow together, nurturing both plants and community!
Event Schedule
Come early to mingle, enjoy coffee, tea, and garden fresh muffins, and get your seats! Please arrive no later than 9:55 am if you are attending the morning session.
Coalition of Community Gardens: Past, Present, & Future
Speaker: Coalition of Community Gardens Board – Kitty Wallace, Michele Ogilvie, & Lena Young Green
Gardening within Tampa’s Sustainability and Resilience Roadmap
Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders in Urban Agriculture
Speaker: Dr. Dorsey, Associate Dean For Academic Affairs & Director of Food Sustainability and Security
Break + Passport Activity
Speaker: Meryl Stout, Urban Agriculture Coordinator & Executive Director of COCG
Healthy 22nd St Garden
Speaker: Regina Polite, President of Healthy 22nd St
Innovative Food Ambassador Program from WellFed
Speaker: Dhalia Bumbacca, Co-Founder of WellFed Community
We are SO excited to partner with Green Market Cafe in Wesley Chapel this year! Green Market Cafe buys it’s produce directly from the source – our local farmers! They strive for balanced nutrition by serving food that is filled with fresh veggies and fruits and wholesome ingredients free of hormones and preservatives.
Lunch features the following choices, and includes a side salad, kettle chips, and a freshly baked cookie:
- Vegetarian or Vegan Hummus Wrap
- Honey Chicken Sandwich on a Pretzel Bun
- Cuban on a Pretzel Bun
- Turkey Brie on a Pretzel Bun
Community Garden at the Tampa Family Health Center
Speaker: Nicole Pinson, Garden Manager, Tampa Family Health Centers
Recently Established Gardens: Garden Panel
- Dee Morales: Highland Pines and 813 Hood Garden Space
- Jenise Carr: TampaWell Community Garden and Food Pharmacy Manager
- Scott Gunsaullus: Town ‘n Country Community Garden
- Charlotte Hillman: Community SOGarden
- Mary Bruce: Jackson Heights – Bethesda Community Garden
Break + Passport Activity
Seed Folks: Youth Engagement
Speaker: Diana Kyle, Program Director at What We Could Be
Passport Prizes, Thank You’s, & Veggie Giveaways
4 - 6 PM
Happy Hour Garden Party
Join us immediately following the conference for a family friendly Happy Hour Garden Party in the award-winning Tampa Heights community garden! Mingle with all your new friends and enjoy live music, beer and wine, games, appetizers…and of course, vegetables! The garden is within walking distance from the event venue.
Meet the Speakers
Our diverse group of speakers are leaders within our community. Join us to get closer to the experts who are working to advance urban agriculture!
A chance to connect with like-minded garden lovers
Connecting with like-minded garden lovers offers a unique opportunity to share experiences, exchange ideas, and learn new techniques to make your garden more vibrant. Come out and swap tips, discover new plants and the shared passion amongst this green-fingered community that creates lasting bonds.
Our Great Sponsors
Heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors for nurturing our community gardens conference. Their support helps cultivate healthier communities for a brighter, greener future.
The Coalition of Community Gardens
Empowering Tampa Bay garden groups since 2015
The Coalition of Community Gardens is a network of gardens and partners who support and share knowledge and resources; build infrastructure to grow gardens; and advocate for public policies to improve health through community gardening in Florida.
There are over 60 Community Gardens all over the West Central Florida area.
Gardening has a positive impact on your well-being and our community
The benefits of gardening
Live healthy
Get exercise and access to fresh, organically grown veggies
Build community and our social fabric
Get to know your neighbors and build bridges across cultures and different age groups
Youth engagement
Children learn where there food comes from and develop important skills
Beautifies the neighborhood
Beyond simply the pretty aspect of gardens, the positive and lasting effects of gardening are a reduction in crime and improving property values
Benefits the environment
Eating locally grown food reduces our carbon footprint and improves the viability of the soil
Reduces inequality and food insecurity
Community gardens are often placed in "food deserts" and allow under-served populations to get access to quality food
Join the 6th Annual Grow Gardens Conference
Come for all day or a morning or afternoon session. Proceeds cover the cost of the event plus you help support the next generation of gardeners and new initiatives throughout Tampa Bay!
Buy a ticket in advance and save $5 for half day and $10 for full day access! If you are ordering lunch and would like to select your choice of sandwich or wrap, tickets must be purchased by 4/1/24. Lunch will not be available day of.
Full Day + Lunch
10:00am - 4:00pm
Full Day without Lunch
10:00am - 4:00pm
AM Session without Lunch
10:00am - 12:30pm
AM Session + Lunch
10am - 12:30pm
PM Session without Lunch
1:30pm - 4:00pm
PM Session + Lunch
1:30pm - 4:00pm