Special to the Times
The Trustees announces the 49th Annual Gardeners’ Gathering will take place March 22 at Northeastern University. The event will take place in Shillman Hall, located at 115 Forsyth St. in Boston, and runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hosted by The Trustees Boston Community Gardens and the City of Boston, the Gathering is free and has something for both beginners and skilled gardeners, as well as those curious to learn more about urban gardening. This year’s event will be headlined by a panel of legacy gardeners highlighting the rich history of the community gardens and their inception.
The Trustees cares for and operates 56 community gardens totaling 15 acres and spanning eight Boston neighborhoods.
“Our community gardens bring neighbors together throughout Boston not only to grow food, but to nurture community and connect with nature,” Katie Theoharides, president and CEO of The Trustees said in a press release. “The Trustees is proud to steward these beloved community spaces, and we look forward to expanding our gardens over the next few years to increase access to fresh, healthy produce.”
Continuing a long tradition of partnership with the City of Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu is expected to attend the Gathering on Saturday to present the Community Garden Awards to the “Rookie Garden of the Year,” “Hall of Fame Garden,” and “Most Valuable Gardener.”
The Gathering will feature a keynote panel on “Passing the Baton – Youth’s Role in Food System Work.” They will also discuss the future of environmental justice and share their vision for future food systems.
“In times where division grows faster than understanding, cultivating our urban green spaces is an act of unity — connecting residents to each other and reminding us that nature thrives even amidst the noise of politics,” added Vidya Tikku, The Trustees’ regional vice president for Boston.
Experts from local farms, gardens, and urban agriculture organizations will lead skill-building workshops on a variety of topics, including growing mushrooms, seed keeping, beekeeping, cultivating apple trees, square foot gardening, and more. There will be workshops each session offered in Spanish with translation.
The event is open to the public. Free registration is available at www.thetrustees.org/gathering.