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Growing
Together
Conference

Growing Together is a garden conference for educators presented by Urban Farming Education. This half-day event brings together educators, school garden leaders, and community partners for hands-on learning, practical strategies, and shared resources.

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Explore garden teaching tips, classroom resources, STEM activities, seasonal and water-wise growing techniques, and community connections. Leave with useful tools and fresh ideas for bringing garden-based learning into your classroom and community.

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October 24, 2026 7 AM–12 PM | Grand Canyon University Garden

Early bird BOGO ends October 15

Bring a colleague.
Grow together.

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Join us for a morning of learning, connection, and inspiration.

Buy one ticket, get one free through October 15.

Included with your ticket

A morning of learning, connection, and ideas to bring back to your classroom, garden, or community.

Garden and academic learning sessions

Explore practical growing techniques and ways to connect gardens with classroom learning.

Meet fellow educators, garden leaders, exhibitors, and community organizations.

Connections and resources

Ideas you can put to work

Discover approaches to outdoor STEM, healthy soil, seasonal growing, and nutrition.

Certificate of completion

Receive a certificate recognizing your participation.

Community panel discussion

Explore how schools and community partners can share resources and grow stronger together.

Breakfast and water

Start the morning with breakfast while connecting with fellow attendees.

More to look forward to

Giveaways announced soon.

Watch for updates on giveaways for conference attendees.

Meet the Speakers

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Paul Yang | Owner & Founder, Brown Banana Organics

Paul’s interest in worm castings began while caring for roses in his own front yard. He founded Brown Banana Organics in 2022 to help others build healthier soil, grow stronger plants, and discover the benefits of vermicomposting.

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DePhane Marcelle Weaver | Founding President, Garden Exchange Stands Org

DePhane brings communities together through shared seed and plant exchange spaces and hands-on educational workshops. Her organization encourages people to grow food, share resources, and build a more sustainable future.

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Jérémy Chevallier | Founder, Permascaping

Jérémy helps communities transform unused property into productive, water-wise landscapes. His work includes edible landscapes and community fruit tree orders, with a focus on making outdoor spaces useful for the people who use them.

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Kelly Hedberg | STEAM/Garden Integration Specialist, Rover Elementary School

Kelly has more than sixteen years of experience teaching in gardens and outdoor settings. She founded Hedberg Garden Group in 2014 and supports schools through outdoor education program management, professional development, garden design, and curriculum adaptation.

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John Rothstein | President, Greystone Hospitality Group

John brings more than 36 years of hospitality and food systems experience. He created The School Food Ecosystem Model™ to connect school meals, gardens, local farms, sustainability, and student learning.

Our hosts & community partners

Growing together
takes a community.

Thank you to the organizations helping bring educators, gardens, and community resources together.

Grand Canyon University

College of Natural Sciences & GCU Garden

Hosted by

Thank you to the organizations helping bring educators, gardens, and community resources together.

Our community partners

Help something great grow.

Interested in becoming a conference partner, exhibitor, or sponsor? Connect with us to explore how your organization can support garden-based learning and stronger school communities.

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