Events

Growing Hope hosts free monthly events, participates in numerous community fairs & exhibits at conferences, and hosts a few large special events & fundraisers each year.

Special Events

Hope's Harvest

Our September afternoon garden party fundraiser, Hope’s Harvest features sustainably-grown, seasonal foods from local farms and gardens, prepared and served by local favorite chefs to complement favorite vineyard selections. This wine and food-tasting delight, now in its sixth year, is a testament to the quality and greatness of Michigan’s farms and a tribute to all of Growing Hope’s supporters. All connoisseurs of good wine, good food, and good company are encouraged to attend our event on Sunday, September 19, 2010 from 3-6 pm.  Tickets are on sale online now!

Tour de Fresh

In many communities, including Ypsilanti, barriers in access to healthy, fresh food are being overcome by people working towards strong, sustainable local food systems.  Tour de Fresh highlights these successes! Community & school gardens, urban micro-farms, local groceries, food co-ops, and farmers' markets are some of the ways people in our community are creating opportunities for food production and healthy food access, all while supporting our local economy.

Monthly Free Community Events

Growing Hope Center Tour

The first Wednesday of every month, 6-7pm we offer an intimate tour of the Growing Hope Center, our 1.4 acre demonstration urban farm.  Come out and get excited about the potential of the Growing Hope Center with our Executive Director, Amanda Edmonds.  Learn more or RSVP.

Community Potlucks

Each month we host a Community Potluck dinner at a rotating venue space in Ypsi to cultivate a local community surrounding food and gardening. All are invited to share in a meal and discussion with friends and neighbors. The Community Potlucks encourage discussion and action surrounding sustainable communities, urban farming, and healthy food access. Join us the first Thursday of every month.  Locations for the potlucks vary, please check our homepage for updates. Learn more or RSVP.

Ypsi Urban Farmer Breakfast

Join us each third Thursday for a monthly breakfast and networking opportunities for people of all backgrounds interested in urban agriculture and producing food in the city. Learn more or RSVP.

In the Community

You may have seen Growing Hope presence or Growing Hope staffers at:

• The Urban Farming Summit at U-M Dearborn on February 19.
• The Michigan Good Food Summit in Lansing on February 25.
• The HomeGrown Local Food Summit for Washtenaw County on March 2.
• Farmers' Market Bootcamp during Ag & Natural Resources week at MSU in East Lansing on March 9.
• The Choices conference celebrating Food, Health, & Collaboration at MSU in Easting Lansing on March 10-11. Look for Growing Hope on a panel about Food Stamps at Farmers' Markets there on March 11.
• Whole Foods-Cranbrook in Ann Arbor on Thursday March 11 from 10 am- 8 pm. Come visit our table, and stock up on everything that day, because 5% of the sales in the store that day are donated to Growing Hope!
• The Grange Kitchen & Bar in Ann Arbor-- we won't be there each week, but if you dine there on any Tuesday in March, 10% of sales are donated to Growing Hope!