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Past Award Winners

On October 15th, 2020, the Conservatory hosted a virtual Growing to Green Awards, aka the Academy Awards of community gardening! We’re proud to host this event every year to honor the amazing work of urban farmers and community gardeners across central Ohio. Thank you to everyone who nominated a garden or gardener and congratulations to all the nominees. We’re thrilled to announce this year’s winners and provide each with a cash prize to help further their mission!

2020 was the first year in which the Bowden Family generously sponsored a second Impact Award. The two awards are listed as separate categories: Education and Leadership and Wellness and Health Impact.

Watch the awards ceremony where the winners were announced as well as their in-person acceptance speeches.

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2021 Awards

Nominations for the 2021 Growing to Green Awards are open now through August 2!

2021 Nominations

2020 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 a 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 improving community health and the quality of life for citizens in Central Ohio.

Winner: Slow Food Reynoldsburg Urban Farm

2020 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 a 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 improving community health and the quality of life for citizens in Central Ohio.

Winner: Upper Arlington Lutheran CG

2020 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.

Winner: AcessABLE Community Garden

2020 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.

Winner: Sunbury Urban Farm

2020 Community Gardener of the Year

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.

Winner: Bill Mount, Ronald McDonald House Community Garden

2020 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.

Winner: Franklinton Farms

2020 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.

Winner: Luul Sheikh, Highland Youth Garden

2020 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.

Winner: Kossuth Street Garden