The National GrowTogether Conference: Planting Seeds of Resilience was an inspiring four-day gathering of community gardeners and leaders nationwide. Presented by NYC Parks, GreenThumb, in partnership with the American Community Gardening Association, Denver Urban Gardens’ Urban Garden Project, and with support from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Conference Highlights-

Attendance Total = 1,027 people over 3 days 

• Thursday 133 checked in out of 400 available tickets & 33 Walk-ins 

• Friday 310 checked in out of 1,000 available tickets & 38 walk-ins

• Saturday 476 checked in out of 1,300 available tickets & 37 walk-ins

Networking Highlights

• 656 attendees sent 1-on-1 messages in the Whova App used for the conference

• 34 business Cards were scanned;

• 1857 attendee profiles were viewed

Our most popular session was led by our Keynote and Panelist”  Finding Your Place: Knowing the Land We’re On”  Moderator: Karen Washington, Farmer and Community Gardener (Rise & Root Community Farm) Panelists: Robin Wall Kimmerer (Plant Ecologist, Educator, Writer, MacArthur Fellow), Betty Lyons Hill, Executive Director (American Indian Law Alliance), Yonette Fleming, Vice President (Hattie Carthan Community Garden), Kofi Thomas, Founder (The Good Life Garden) and Director (The People’s Garden)

Organizer appreciation was shared.

Attendee compliments entailed positive notes:

“an Amazing event, fantastic app, easily accessible location, and organization on the part of the organizers. Hope it continues to be national so we can continue to share ideas and best practices. American Community Garden Association, the volunteers and staff went above and beyond. What an amazing conference! This app has been extremely helpful! Thanks!!!Terrific content!!”