Austin: TreeFolks & Growers Plant at St. John Garden

The Gathering of Growers is the first community tree planting workshop of 2026, hosted at the beautiful St. John Faith Community Garden in Austin. This event is organized in partnership with TreeFolks, a local environmental organization dedicated to expanding urban tree canopy and community stewardship. The primary goal of this workshop is to expand the garden's young orchard by planting 30 new fruit trees that will nourish the space for years to come, creating a lasting legacy of food production and environmental benefit for the community.

Participants will engage in hands-on learning experiences that cover essential tree planting knowledge and techniques. The workshop curriculum includes instruction on how to select healthy trees suitable for the local climate and growing conditions, proper soil preparation methods to ensure optimal tree establishment, and best practices for planting to ensure long-term success and tree health. These educational components blend practical, hands-on learning with the broader philosophy of shared stewardship of the orchard, emphasizing community involvement in environmental stewardship.

The event is designed to be inclusive and welcoming to participants of all experience levels and ages. Whether attendees are seasoned growers with years of gardening experience or brand new to planting and completely unfamiliar with horticultural practices, the workshop is structured to accommodate everyone. The organizers explicitly state that no prior experience is necessary, and all ages are welcome to participate. This inclusive approach ensures that the event serves as both an educational opportunity and a community-building experience.

Practical amenities are provided to support participant comfort and engagement. Snacks and hot beverages are provided throughout the event, helping to sustain energy and create a welcoming atmosphere. Spanish interpretation is available, ensuring that Spanish-speaking community members can fully participate and understand all instruction. The event is completely free and open to the public, removing financial barriers to participation. One important logistical note is that bathrooms will not be available on site, but accessible facilities are located at the Virginia Brown Rec Center across the street at 7500 Blessing Ave, providing a convenient alternative for participants' needs.