Reconnecting to land, work, and nature: A community Earth Day Celebration at Grow Ogden Farm this Weekend

Weber State University botany students are working on an Herb Spiral that they will debut at the Earth Day Event (photos 1 & 2), spring interns working at Grow Ogden Farm (photos 3 & 4), past and current Grow Ogden Farm interns and staff. Photos courtesy of Eden Streets

NEWS

Eden Streets will host an annual Earth Day Celebration on Saturday, April 18, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Grow Ogden Farm. Festivities will include live music, poetry, speakers from the community, local organizations sharing knowledge on strengthening communities and sustainable practices, a food and community gathering to share food and learn about their neighbors and family-friendly activities. The event is free and open to the public. 

There will also be tours of Grow Ogden Farm, live animal encounters, and Mi Puebla restaurant will have a taco truck on site.

The Ogden-based nonprofit — which reconnects people to land, work, and community through farm-based job training — celebrated its five-year anniversary in March.

Eden Streets recently celebrated five years of its flagship program, Grow Ogden, that provides transitional employment for individuals seeking to re-enter the workforce — including those in recovery or facing homelessness. An urban farm-based job training program, it guides people toward entering the workforce with skills to ensure steady employment. The goal of Eden Streets is growth and development through community support. With growth in mind, they have created a system that lifts some of the least fortunate Ogden residents, and many in other communities, into a position of stability and opportunity. 

The Earth Day event is an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate.

“This event is all about connecting people — to each other, nature and their community,” said Gina Nielsen, community engagement coordinator. “We have created a space where the community can gather, learn, celebrate, and take simple steps toward a more sustainable future.”

A few highlights to look forward to:

-Grow Ogden’s new herb spiral designed by Weber State University botany students

-Tree planting by Tree Utah

-Mi Puebla restaurant taco truck

-Folk singer King Thurber performing songs

Community partners and exhibitors also include: Clark Planetarium, Ogden Nature Center, Weber State University Sustainability House, Tutulli Ballet Folklorico, Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah, Tree Utah, Sowing Seeds of Change, UCAIR, Great Salt Lake Sentinel Landscape, Natural Grocers, Weber High FFA, Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, Bonneville/Roy Mountain Bike Team and Enable Utah. 

Grow Ogden Farm is located at 880 28th St. in Ogden. For more information, visit edenstreets.org/communityevents.