2023 Black Farmers and Urban Gardeners National Conference

Black Urban Growers (BUGs) and our partners are pleased to present the 11th Annual Black Farmers & Urban Gardeners (BUGS) Conference, convening urban and rural farmers, chefs, food product makers, students, herbalists, nutritionists, consumers, policymakers, educators, activists and organizations from across the country!

Family Harvest: Seeding Land, Legacy and Liberation is the theme of this year’s conference. Come join us to connect with our Black agrarian family from across the nation in the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Through engaging and participatory workshops, panel discussions, farm tours and fun social events, we will take time to honor our past, celebrate our present and dream up the future of Black Food Sovereignty. The conference will provide hands-on, skill-building workshops on sustainable agriculture education including soil health, land reclamation, financial literacy, seeds saving, and other related topics. The 11th annual conference will be held at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, from October 20 -22, 2023.

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Conference Events

On Friday , October 20th, the local host committee will provide urban farm tours in the Philadelphia metro and surrounding area. On Friday evening, conference attendees will attend a welcome night market held at Life Do Grow Farm.

On Friday evening, ticket holders will return to Life Do Grow Farm, in North Philadelphia, for one of our favorite summer events – a “night market” type jawn.

Sample the offerings of local Philly food vendors, and peruse the Produce Market and the Vendors Marketplace. We’ll also learn a bit more about Philly’s robust chef scene as some of our faves go head to head in an Iron Chef-style tasting and “competition”. Three teams, six chefs… it’s going to be a great time! There will be light fare provided by local food vendors and more food available for purchase. Eat, drink, shop, dance, and mingle with fellow attendees, presenters and local Black food folks for a night of communion and conversation.

On Saturday, conference attendees will participate in keynote panel discussions; a comprehensive line-up of workshops at Temple University. This year’s esteemed keynote speakers include journalist and author Dr. Marc Lamont Hill. On Saturday evening, conference attendees will attend a Saturday party at One Art Community Center.

On Saturday night, Come out and mingle with Black Winemakers + Celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th Anniversary at the BUGs Saturday Night Party! – Ticket holders will close out the conference festivities with straight up shenanigans!

You are all invited to explore the sacred haven that is One Art Community Center. Begin the evening with a wine tasting featuring local Black winemakers and a stroll of One Art’s beautiful farm space.

Then DJ Na$h joins us give us the perfect block party vibes!

We’re also celebrating the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop! Please feel free to represent your hip hop style i.e. throw on your Kangol, slip on the bamboo earrings (at least two pairs!) and/or rep your favorite artist or group t-shirt from the 80’s , 99’s and 2000’s!

Food will be available for purchase by One Art’s in residence chef (and Philly treasure) Atiya Ola’s Spirit First Foods. And for those looking for refuge from the dance floor, grab your people and hop into HoneyWater Creative’s Farmers’ Photo Booth or rest and relax by the bonfire.

On Sunday, the conference will close with break out sessions facilitated by National Black Food and Justice Alliance focused on local and national post-conference organizing efforts.

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Refund & Cancellation Policy

Last day for a full refund is Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023

No-shows will not be refunded for any reason. No exceptions.

We do not give credit toward the following year’s conference.

BUGs reserves the right to refuse service or ask conference guests to leave the conference.

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More information about Black Farmers and Urban Gardeners Conference (BUGS):

Since 2010 we’ve been creating a space for urban and rural farmers, food justice activists, chefs, educators, policy makers and everyday citizens to come together and share innovative ideas, projects, and best practices for reclaiming and reshaping our community food systems.

For more information about the Black Farmers & Urban Gardeners Conference, including the conference schedule, workshops, volunteer opportunities, lodging information and sponsorship and vendor opportunities, please send an email to [email protected] or check out our website.

For the *most updated* information on the BUGs National Conference 2023, please make sure to follow us on Facebook at Black Farmers and Urban Gardeners Conference.

For further questions, please send an email to [email protected] or send a direct message via our facebook page. Click here for Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/blackfarmerconf

Thank you for joining us and helping to make the 11th annual Black Farmers & Urban Gardeners Conference an empowering, transformative and successful experience!