7th CCGA ANNUAL CONFERENCE RECAP
The 2019 7th Annual CCGA Conference was new and different in many ways. This year our theme of “Gardening and Adapting to a Changing Climate” brought a tough issue to our workshops that took the issue head on.
For many gardeners, it’s been hard to tackle the science and see how gardening is impacted by climate change, but our partner organizations brought us workshops that put climate change into the context of gardening. Garfield Park’s Mattie Wilson and Emilia Arellano, The UI Extension’s Zach Grant, Triton College’s Adrian Ayres Fisher, and West Cook Wild Ones’ Pam Todd each showed us how better to adapt to highly variable weather, large rain events, less sunlight, and a planting schedule thrown into disarray. In total there were eleven original workshops with many more choices this year than ever before, including our first kitchen workshop to introduce a climate friendly dish with beans and avocados (top of the Environmental Working Group’s list of clean foods) **One hour was just not enough for most of us in workshops with discussion format, but our presenters brought their best and gave their fullest. Responses from attendees were very positive and networking was good among them.
Our presenters brought their best and gave their fullest. They enthusiastically welcomed children and students into workshops that were “kid friendly” and the boundless curiosity and energy of those kids was met equally. The Education Committee brought Grow Kits and free books to a table especially for children, and CCGA kicked off our new photo frame station for taking selfies or posing with friends. Folks went with it and had fun wearing zany hats and showing their lighter selves. It made connecting a softer, warmer action.
Networking is a critically important piece of any conference. It is both process of interacting with others to exchange information and the action of creating new social contacts. CCGA introduced our new and brightly colored vertical floor banner with native wildflowers, two of which are Midwestern prairie plants. Folks stopped by the banner to chat about what garden they grow in or what association they with CCGA. It was an opportunity to connect and have a photo taken. CCGA will continue to display this floor banner at upcoming Resources distributions and both Education or Resources workshops.
On the lighter side of networking, there was plenty fun with hats and frames at our selfie photo station. It is again something new this year that will surely be brought back by popular demand. Adults and children and so much fun with it we wonder why we didn’t do it sooner.
WOW!! What a conference!! Being back at Breakthrough Family Plex felt like visiting friends. CCGA worked to create a more kid friendly conference and this was the best way to do it. Children and students registered; some even presented a workshop, and more were welcome in kid friendly workshops that spoke to their boundless curiosities and excitement. Even adults had a lot to learn. Other workshops kept little ones spellbound and excited about nature. Our future depends on them preserving our environment and protecting so many species though a changing climate.
To view photos of the 2019 Conference click here.