Posted: September 01, 2026
In just over a month, Growing to Green will be hosting the 2026 Harvest Awards! Traditionally, the awards would celebrate individuals embedded in Columbus urban agriculture—highlighting leadership, service, and education-based achievements. The awards ceremony has shifted focus in recent years from isolated achievements to highlight the resilience of community gardeners across central Ohio. The awards continue to recognize two outstanding individuals through the Paul B. Redman Youth Leadership Award and the Bill Dawson Community Gardener of the Year Award. In addition to these two awards, garden anniversaries are recognized and celebrated at a community garden’s 5-, 10-, 15-, 20-, and 25-year anniversary of operation. Through these anniversaries, we’re able to see how these gardens have developed, evolved, and become embedded in the communities that sustain them.
In addition to developing a culture of community celebration at the Harvest Awards, Growing to Green is partnering with the Franklin County Local Food Council to bring the artistic vision of central Ohioans into the program. This year will mark the first Harvest Awards Art Show featuring works made by community members. This year’s theme, Unseen Roots: How Food Connects Us All, allows anyone to explore their conventional or unconventional role in the food system.
As the awards draw nearer and the growing season comes to its close, the Harvest Awards serve as a reminder that we’re all participants in our food system, and that urban
agriculture, farming, and growing are possible endeavors worth digging our hands into. Nominations for awards and applications to participate in the art show are open until
September 13, 2026
