Photo Flash: GreenThumb's 32nd Annual GrowTogether Conference Hosts Largest Crowd to Date

NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP, this weekend, joined Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Council Member and City Council Parks Committee Chair Mark Levine, Council Member Mathieu Eugene, Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Ernest Skinner, representing 45th District Council Member Jumaane D. Williams, GreenThumb gardeners, community organizations and greening professionals from all over New York City in a day of learning, sharing, networking and greening inspiration during the 32nd Annual GreenThumb GrowTogether Conference. Scroll down for photos!

With its largest crowd to date, more than 1,600 attendees, GrowTogether kicked off with a speaking programing highlighted by a keynote address from food justice activist Tanya Fields, founder and executive director, the BLK Projek. The conference featured nearly 70 exciting workshops for gardeners of all ages-topics included composting, vegetable growing techniques, ways to increase garden membership and kid's gardening activities. In a "networking fair" featuring 25 greening groups, GrowTogether also hosted adolescent and teen programming.

GreenThumb gardens are at the forefront of the movement to bring fresh, local food to all New Yorkers and are a testimony to the vital role that preserved, green spaces play in our urban environment. Its network of nearly 20,000 community gardeners contributed two million volunteer hours in 2015 caring for community gardens and beautifying these special spaces in neighborhoods.

More information on GrowthTogether can be found on GreenThumb's website.