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Growing to Green Awards

The Growing to Green Awards honors the dedication and hard work of many Central Ohio communities and individuals while furthering Growing to Green’s objective of promoting participation in city beautification and community gardening. Nominations can be made by anyone and the Growing to Green Awards are officially bestowed at the annual Awards & Harvest Celebration. This is an event where the community brings a dish from their garden to the table and showcases the stories of the gardens and their gardeners.

2022 Growing to Green Awards & Harvest Celebration

On Wednesday, September 7, 2022, the Conservatory hosted the annual Growing to Green Awards & Harvest Celebration to come together over a meal, pay tribute to community gardens and announce the winners of the Awards. Attendees enjoyed local food and a performance by Urban Strings. The was coordinated by Conservatory staff and the Women’s Board’s Growing to Green Awards Planning Committee. Thank you to sponsors Giant Eagle, Hinson Family Trust and Osteopathic Heritage Foundations and partners the Boyd Bowden Family, Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and Franklin County Board of Commissioners.

Contact Sean McKay, Growing to Green Coordinator, at smckay@fpconservatory.org with any questions.

2022 Awards

Bill Dawson Community Gardener of the Year Award

Bill Dawson Community Gardener of the Year award is presented to an individual who is exceptionally dedicated to their neighborhood garden and or the movement of community gardening in central Ohio.

An award of $250 will be given to the winner to be applied toward their community gardening project.

2022 Winner: Richard M Harris of Growing Heart and Hands Community & Legacy Garden

Community Garden of the Year

Community Garden of the Year award is presented to a neighborhood gardening project for beautification and/or food production.

An award of $500 will be given to the top garden in this category.

2022 Winner: International Harvest Garden

Education Garden of the Year

Education Garden of the Year award is presented to a school or other organization that utilizes garden projects for educational purposes.

An award of $500 will be given to the top garden in this category.

2022 Winner: Heritage Kids Camp Mobile Gardens

Paul B. Redman Youth Leadership Award

The Paul B. Redman Youth Leadership Award is presented by the Women’s Board of Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, this award is given to an outstanding youth gardener age 18 or younger.

An award of $250 will be given to the winner to further their education and interest in gardening or to make improvements in their community.

2022 Winner: Serenity Edwards of Sunbury Urban Farm

Sustainability Award

The Sustainability Award is presented to a garden that is utilizing sustainable community gardening practices, including community-building activities, sustainable garden design, and utilization of green practices (e.g. rain barrels) and/or has proven sustainable over the long term.

$250 will be awarded to further advance the sustainability of the community garden.

2022 Winner: Mezzacello

Neighborhood Improvement Project of the Year

The Neighborhood Improvement Project of the Year award is presented to a Community Garden, Urban Farm, park, gateway, streetscape, school or other community beautification or food project.

An award of $250 will be given to the project that has done the most to benefit its surrounding community.

2022 Winner: Love Your Alley

Boyd W. Bowden Garden Impact Award for Wellness and Health

The Boyd W. Bowden Garden Impact Award for Wellness and Health is presented to a community garden that has shown significant and sustainable impact on the health and vitality of the community while developing connections to Nutrition, Wellness, and/or Food Production.

Presented by the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation and the Bowden Family, the winner of this award will receive $750. to further impact the community and garden project.

These awards honor Dr. Bowden’s love of gardening as well as his life-long commitment to improve community health and the quality of life for citizens in Central Ohio.

2022 Winner: Mid-Ohio Food Collective

Boyd W. Bowden Garden Impact Award for Education and Leadership

The Boyd W. Bowden Garden Impact Award for education and leadership is presented to a community garden that has shown significant and sustainable impact on the health and vitality of the community through children’s education, job training and/or celebrating culture.

Presented by the Osteopathic Heritage Foundation and the Bowden Family, the winner of this award will receive $750. to further impact the community and garden project.

These awards honor Dr. Bowden’s love of gardening as well as his life-long commitment to improve community health and the quality of life for citizens in Central Ohio.

2022 Winner: Sunbury Urban Farms

Nominations

There were over 50 nominations this year! Nominations closed on August 7. Anyone was able to nominate community gardeners, gardens or green spaces for an award.

Nominations for the 2023 Growing to Green Awards will be available next summer.

What is Growing to Green?

Growing to Green is a Conservatory program that promotes and provides free community resources for community gardening and city beautification. It is Columbus’ largest organized effort to do so.

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