Green Side Up!
By Bill Dawson, Growing to Green Program Manager
Growing to Green Award Nominations are now open! Click
here<https://www.fpconservatory.org/education-programs/outreach-programs/growing-to-green/>
to see all seven categories where you can nominate your garden or gardeners
for a 2019 Growing to Green Award.
Nominations in seven categories will be accepted starting July 1 and end on
August 5, 2019. The Annual Growing to Green Harvest Celebration and Awards
Ceremony will take place on September 12 at the Franklin Park Conservatory in
the Wells Barn.
I understand that this has been a bit of a tricky growing season thus far, with
weather patterns of excessive rains, extreme heat at times and the fact that
weeds love those conditions!
Remember, it is not how big your garden is or even how it looks at the moment,
it is about the positive impact your project has on the community in one or
more of these categories:
Neighborhood Improvement Project of the Year - Every garden improves a
neighborhood, how does yours? Nominate your beautification and/or food
producing garden!
Youth Leadership Award - I know that you have a young person under the age of
18 who shows promise and leadership skills in the garden. Nominate them!
Education Garden of the Year - Do you offer programming and educational
opportunities in your garden? Nominate!
Sustainability Award - Has your garden been successful over the long term or do
you practice sustainable agriculture or promote environmental awareness
techniques? Nominate!
Community Gardener of the Year - This is all of you! The award will go to an
individual who is exceptionally dedicated to his/her community garden and the
gardening movement locally. Nominate a worthy garden leader!
Community Garden of the Year- Which gardens are the top projects this year?
Nominate yours or others!
Boyd W. Bowden Garden Impact Award - We are looking for that special garden
that has an extraordinary impact on the community it serves. Nominate!
So if you haven't started documenting these efforts, get your words and photos
together now! All of these awards will honor and recognize your projects with
plaques, certificates and cash prizes ranging from $250 to $750 to help you
with sustaining your great gardens. Don't wait until the deadline of August 5,
get your nominations in Now!
The Celebration itself will bring us all together for a delicious pot luck
dinner from your gardens and ours, culminating with a heartwarming awards
ceremony in the rustic and beautiful Wells Barn.
