For 41 years, the Gardeners Gathering has provided an annual forum for gardeners to shrug off winter together and celebrate urban gardening in Boston. The 41st Annual Gardeners’ Gathering, presented by the Trustees of Reservations and the City of Boston, will take place on Saturday, March 26, at the Egan Center and Shillman Hall at Northeastern University in Boston, from 10 – 4:30. This year, back by popular demand, the Annual Community Garden Awards will be presented by Mayor Martin J. Walsh, who will honor individuals, garden groups, and non-profit organizations with the “Hall of Fame,” “Rookie Gardener of the Year,” and “Most Valuable Gardener” awards. Award ceremony beings at 12pm.
Free and open to all, The Gardener’s Gathering brings together over 400 gardeners to kick off Boston’s gardening season. As the city’s largest educational forum for urban gardeners, the Gardeners’ Gathering is an opportunity for people to share ideas and tips, network, and learn. The Gardeners’ Gathering offers more than two dozen skill-building workshops for both vegetable and ornamental gardeners with an emphasis on healthy practices for urban gardens. Topics range from seed starting to composting, urban beekeeping, and community and youth organizing to learning how to prepare garden-grown goodies like sauerkraut. Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn about Boston-area agriculture, gardening, and environmental organizations through the information gallery.
This year, the Gardeners Gathering will start off with a keynote speaker and breakfast event at 10:00 AM in the Egan Center. Leading social entrepreneur Daniel Ross (pictured below) of Daisa Enterprises and formerly of Nuestras Raices and Wholesome Wave Charitable Foundation, will speak on “Dimensions of Change through Community Gardening.” This portion of the program is $15 for Trustees members and $25 for nonmembers, and requires online registration. The remainder of the program is free and attendees can register when they arrive.
“The Gardeners’ Gathering offers an inspirational, educational venue for Boston residents and gardening enthusiasts to share information and expand their gardening skills while celebrating the City as a dynamic hub for community-based, urban gardening ” says Barbara Erickson, Trustees of Reservations President & CEO. “As the nation’s passion for gardening continues to grow exponentially each year, we are excited to move our mission to connect more Massachusetts residents with local food sources and programming forward with time-tested events like the Gardeners’ Gathering.”
For a complete schedule of activities and workshop topics and more information, contact Michelle de Lima at mdelima@thetrustees.org or 617.542.7696 x2115. To register for the keynote, please visit www.thetrustees.org .
