Community gardeners are invited to attend the Growing Communities Workshop, March 5 & 6, a 2-day leadership workshop from the American Community Gardening Association (ACGA).  Gardening Matters is very excited to have Amanda Edmonds of Growing Hope in Ipsilanti, MI joining us as lead facilitator!
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This hands-on workshop based on the ACGA’s curriculum for leadership development, Growing Communities: Community Building and Organizational Development through Community Gardening. Participants learn proven strategies that community organizers use to develop dynamic leaders and create strong gardening programs through a participatory approach to community building. As a “train the trainers” session, attendees learn the principles and practices of community building, and how to pass these techniques on to others in your community by conducting their own workshops.
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At the workshop, participants will learn about working successfully with different groups, fostering democratic decision-making in the garden, recruiting gardeners and community support for the garden, and making the community garden an asset to the surrounding community. Benefits of this training include: improving the ease of garden coordination, developing a commitment to the garden by the community and volunteers, building a garden group that works together more effectively, and more!
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Growing Communities will be held Saturday and Sunday March 5-6 at the House of Hope Church 761 Summit Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105. The cost of the workshop is $250 per person that includes continental breakfast and lunch both days, all materials, and an ACGA membership. Space is limited, and full and partial scholarships are available. A registration form will be available on the Gardening Matters homepage shortly, or contact Margaret at with questions, scholarship inquiries, or to register.