2008 Growing to Green Award Winners

Franklin Park Conservatory 2008 Growing to Green Awards and Harvest Celebration held September 17th, 2008.

The Growing to Green Awards honor 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.

We had a total of 32 enties in the five categories this year! All the gardens in and aroud Columbus deserve recognition for their efforts toward improving neighborhoods, education, youth leadership, socialization and feeding the hungry.

Columbus City Councilmember Priscilla Tyson, an avid supporter of community gardening and greening projects, served as Keynote Speaker for the event. At this year’s award ceremony, in the tradition of previous years, all attendees were asked to bring produce straight from their gardens to be donated to the national campaign, Plant a Row for the Hungry.

This year’s Growing to Green Awards ceremony held in the Franklin Park Conservatory Garden Pavillion, benefited from the contributions of many local groups and businesses, including City Barbeque, Oakland Nurseries, Harper Engraving and Printing, Klatt Brothers Band, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Local Matters and many others. Those making donations to the ceremony cited their desire to support community gardens for making healthy, fresh food available to people in underserved areas.

The 2008 Growing to Green awards winners are...

Community Garden of the Year (Marjorie Telerski, Connie Ford)
Christ the King/Bishop Griffin Community Garden
2875 East Livingston Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43209

Community Gardener of the Year
Rick Collins, N.A.I.C.C.O.
Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio
67 East Innis Ave. Columbus, Ohio 43207

Neighborhood Improvement Project of the Year (Allen Carrel and Ken Williams
Ganthers Place Park for all People
562 Reinhard, Columbus (This project was nominated by Keep Columbus Beautiful 1265 Marion Rd. Columbus, Ohio 43207)

Paul B. Redman Youth Leadership
Amber Rollie, Weinland Park Community Garden
(Was nominated by Godman Guild
303 East 6th Street Columbus, Ohio 43201)

Education Garden of the Year
Lincoln Park Elementary School
Was nominated by Children’s Hunger Alliance
370 South Fifth Street Columbus, Ohio 43215

Start planning for next year's entry!

Bill