This is an incredible opportunity for diocesan community gardeners to gather with other community gardeners for a day of learning, networking and building a vision for the future of gardening in our communities. Spaces at the summit are limited, early registration is encouraged. There is no charge for this summit.

When: Saturday Feb. 19 from 9am-4pm
Where: Christ Church Cathedral, at 1210 Locust St.

Registration and light breakfast begin at 8am, followed by a keynote address from American Community Gardening Board President Bobby Wilson. The morning session will also include an update on Missouri farm-to-school initiatives, the developing Regional Food Policy Council and Gateway Greening Hub Gardens.

Register by calling 588-9600×23 OR e-mailing Theresa@gatewaygreening.org.

Following lunch participants will regroup at breakout sessions featuring professionals in the community. There are two rounds and you’ll need to choose which of the five sessions you’d like to attend in each round when you register. Included are these topics (complete schedule online-you’ll need to consult this before registering):

Vegetable Gardening 101: Want to start your own seedlings but don’t know where to start? Wondering why your tomatoes did so poorly last year? You’re not alone!; Attend this basic veggie garden training and be prepared for a successful growing season!; Presented by GGI Community Educator Ryan Barker and City Seeds VISTA Rachel Deffenbaugh

Farm-to-School Strategies: How to affect your school’s ‘food stream’ and where to start in small ways; How to make farm-to-school initiatives happen, including logistics and long-term sustainability; Discuss infrastructure, menu-planning, partnerships with growers for both food and educational opportunities; Presented by Bill McKelvey of the University of Missouri Extension’s Missouri Farm to Institution Project and Healthy Lifestyle Initiative and representatives from the Maplewood-Richmond Heights Seed to Table initiative, including St. Louis University Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Chair Mildred Mattfeldt-Beman and MRH district employees Debi Gibson, Carol Kon and Robert Rusan

Garden Leader Best Practices: Hear from established Garden Leaders on how they got started and continue to succeed!; Focus on unique practices, proud features and recruitment tips; Presented by Clemens Community Garden Leader Christine Michael, Monsanto YMCA Community Garden Leader Debra Morrowloving and American Community Gardening Association Board President Bobby Wilson

Community Gardens and Health: Overview of impact of community gardening on health; How to build relationships with health promoters and increase opportunities for nutrition and healthy eating trainings in the garden; Presented by Operation Food Search Nutrition Outreach Coordinator Mariella Funk

Garden-Based Curriculum Integration: Incorporating garden-based education curriculum into class time; Motivating schools and teachers for long-term success; Presented by Sustainability Education and Consult Katie Belisle-Iffrig of Code Green Collaborative , GGI Youth Garden Coordinator Steve Eigsti and New City School Garden Leaders Erik Eskelsen and Claire Reinbold

Small Grant Research and Writing: How to search for small grants to support your garden; How to cut through the clutter and find the grant that’s right for you; Basic grant-writing dos and don’ts; Importance of recordkeeping and grant reporting; Presented by Membership Chair of the St. Louis Chapter of the American Grant Professionals Association Kent Hornberger and American Community Gardening Association Board President Bobby Wilson

Developing Food Distribution Networks: How to develop partnerships with nearby corner stores, food merchants or food pantries; Launching micro-entrepreneurial efforts as offshoots of the garden; Presented by Old North Grocery Co-op Manager Sarah Kate Buckles, North City Farmers’ Market Project & Garden Coordinator Veronica Holden, Community Garden Organizer Dennis Potter and City Greens Garden Leader Bobbie Sykes

Register by calling 588-9600 x23 OR e-mailing Theresa@gatewaygreening.org.

• Cathedral Christ Church Cathedral, 1210 Locust St., St. Louis, MO 63103, ph 314-231-3454, www.christchurchcathedral.us
• Metro II Map by convocation