Celebrate the continued growth of the Tacoma-Pierce County Community Garden Program and learn more about growing your own vegetables at the 3rd annual Community Garden Summit from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Sat., April 28, at McCarver Elementary, 2111 S. J St., Tacoma.

This is a free event open to all Tacoma and Pierce County residents. To register for the summit, contact Community Garden Coordinator Kristen McIvor at kmcivor@forterra.org or (253) 363-1846. Lunch and childcare are provided at no charge, but you must register by Thurs., April 26.

Discussion sessions and free workshops include college Campus Gardening: Forming a South Sound campus garden network; Elementary School Gardening: Nuts and bolts of starting a school garden; Engaging Youth in School & Community Gardens; Designing a Vibrant Community Gathering Place; Enabling the Gardener: Designing spaces that are welcoming for people of all abilities; Gardening 101 & 102: An introduction to successful vegetable gardening; Preserving the Harvest; Urban Chickens 101; Designing & Working with a Giving Garden; and Rain Barrels.

Other opportunities include a tour the McCarver Elementary School Garden and the Bamford Community Garden at Zina Linnik Park; a walking tour of the Hilltop Urban Garden; learning about the new Share the Harvest program sponsored by the Paul Allen Foundation and getting free vegetable starts as part of the “Plant a Row” for the hungry campaign; and a variety of youth activities.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Community Garden Summit is sponsored by the Greater Metro Parks Foundation.

The Community Garden Program works to support the development and success of community gardens by providing information and support to community gardens, facilitating garden networks, and hosting workshops and events. The Community Garden Program is a program of Forterra, City of Tacoma, Metro Parks Tacoma, Pierce County Public Works and Utilities, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and the Pierce Conservation District.

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Paul Allen foundation awards $175K to Tacoma organization, project (02/06/12) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=2110391&more=0

Tacoma’s TAGRO earns enviro award (11/02/11) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=2062329&more=0

Tacoma Community Garden Harvest Tour will celebrate growth Sept. 10 (09/08/11) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=2033890&more=0

50 exhibitors slated for South Sound Sustainability Expo (03/03/11) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1935233&more=0

17 grants, $50K fund eco-friendly Tacoma projects (01/03/11) — http://www.tacomadailyindex.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=88&cat=23&id=1901820&more=0