The Australian City Farms and Community Gardens Network National meeting was an amazing opportunity to connect with other inspiring community gardens folks from all around the country. To share stories and celebrate the rewarding social, environmental and health benefits that gardening and an immersion in nature brings our communities. We were reminded that food is a universal language and that eating truly is a political act as we joined together for an incredible meal and cultural exchange with the Tamil asylum seekers for a @Tamilfeasts CERES continues to impress with its diverse ecology of people and projects and through its rich landscape of sustainability initiatives. And such a joy to share cups of tea and scones with the volunteers and co-ordinators of three fabulous Geelong region Community Gardens and tour the Breamlea, Grovedale and Grinter Community Gardens. Here where we were reminded that no matter how big or small or established gardens can be they serve as an important hub for sharing everything from seeds to smiles, for learning composting to community building, but also as habitat and refuge for amazing pollinators, plants and people.

Joel Orchard : MullumSEED / Northern Rivers Community Gardens Network