The mission of the American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) is to build community by increasing and enhancing community gardening and greening across the United States and Canada.

For more than 35 years, the ACGA has held educational conferences in North America.  Cleveland was selected as the host city for the 2016 conference. The conference planning team, ACGA-CLE 2016, is excited to highlight what is taking place around community gardening and agriculture in Cleveland, the state of Ohio and across the nation. Whether it’s a neighborhood garden, a library seed-saving project, a school garden, or a social entrepreneur launching a venture; they’re all essential for community growth. This conference will be the venue for these projects to shine.

ACGA’s 2016 conference theme – Cleveland Growing Strong; Health, Equity & Sustainability – reflects priorities in Cleveland’s agriculture community. The resurgence of agricultural activity reflects the passion to grow, market, distribute, process, educate, and share the love for food and community enhancement.

The four-day conference between August 4th through 7th in 2016 will  showcase the prominence of locally grown food from the perspective of the growers, marketers, entrepreneurs, youth groups, community leaders, health care professionals, educators and stakeholders using agriculture as a way to strengthen communities.  Representative Marcia L. Fudge of the 11th Congressional District and Paul Clark, Regional President, PNC Bank Northern Ohio, honorary conference co-chairs, will welcome approximately 400 participants. They support the conference through their interest in food and community, and by leveraging resources needed for a successful event. Event Website.