The annual national conference of Black Farmers and Urban Gardeners (BUGs) is set to take place in Philadelphia on October 21-22. The confab aims to facilitate connectivity and collaboration while fostering comprehensive discussions about Black agricultural practices and food systems.

BUGs has been holding its national conference, identified as the most significant gathering specifically centered around Black agriculture, since 2010. This year flags the first time the city of Philadelphia has been selected to host. The move offers an excellent platform to delve into Philadelphia’s urban agriculture community’s historical background.

Karen Washington, a Co-Founder of the BUGs National Conference, expressed her excitement to work with local urban farmers in Philadelphia to bring the BUGs conference to the famed city. She remarked, “Philadelphia possesses a profound agricultural legacy. We eagerly anticipate paying tribute to the city’s rich agricultural history while also contributing to the cultivation of a more equitable and fair urban farming future.”

The conference will feature an array of enlightening and interactive segments, including notable keynote addresses, tours of urban farms, social gatherings, and more than fifty workshops. These sessions will deal with a wide variety of subjects, ranging from understanding soil health to financial literacy and an introduction to hydroponics.

Expressing gratitude for the BUGs conference‘s ability to bring together individuals passionate about food production and land stewardship, Ash Richards, the Director of Urban Agriculture for the City of Philadelphia, said, “These are vital elements in ensuring community cohesion and resilience.”

Regina Ginyard, another Co-Founder of the BUGs National Conference, conveyed her enthusiasm about the upcoming event. She stated, “We are eager to highlight Philadelphia’s urban farming initiatives and celebrate the substantial impact of Philadelphia’s Black agricultural culture and leadership.”