Eco-Gardening Cohort
The aim of the eco-gardening cohort is to provide a springboard for imaginative reflection in a process-relational mode, a resource for engaging in creative localization, and a network for connecting like-minded growers (more on each of those below). It is open to all who are interested in gardens, whether in the backyard or the community, as well as urban farms, whether small or big. Beginners and experts alike are welcome to participate. The only requirement is that each participant be willing to listen to and learn from one another, share their perspective, and strive to help build an ecological civilization in whatever ways their circumstance allows.
What does the eco-gardens cohort do, exactly? The group is still quite new and in flux as they explore possibilities, but they meet together and communicate with one another at least once a month.
Our Aims
Our guiding aims include the following:
1. Provide a springboard for imaginative reflection in a process-relational mode.
The focus here primarily involves activities of the mind (e.g., reflecting, imagining, thinking, discussing, etc.). So this might include reading texts, viewing media, giving presentations, and having conversations with one another about topics that help broaden one’s vision and deepen one’s understanding about the significance that gardens can have in a local community.
2. Provide a resource for engaging in creative localization.
Our ambition here is about gardening in process-relational and ecologically-mindful ways in one’s local setting. This aim is mainly concerned with the activity of gardening itself, how to grow in ways that not only yield a healthy crop but also contribute to the health and well-being of one’s self and one’s environment.
3. Provide a network for connecting like-minded growers.
The aim here is to create, develop, and foster some type of sister-garden network, giving gardeners opportunities to talk about unique characteristics of their spaces, and providing a way for participants to easily and regularly interact with one another outside of scheduled gatherings.
Cohort Coordinator
Joe Garcia is a staff member at the University of New Mexico Community Engagement Center, and the former the Director of the Garden Wisdom Community Scholars Program at the La Plazita Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He teaches community-based learning at the University of New Mexico, and has been working in gardens for transformative learning since 1991.
How to Join
To join the cohort and access the meeting information and member resources, you must have an account, be logged in, and be enrolled.
Are you already logged in?
If you’re already logged in, you should see a button labeled Enroll in Group near the top of this page. Just click on the button, and you will be automatically enrolled and sent a confirmation email.
Have you joined a class or made donation before?
If you’ve participated in a class or given a donation previously, then you already have an account and can join this cohort by clicking on the Login to Enroll button near the top of the page. After you log in you will be automatically enrolled and sent a confirmation email.
Don’t have an account?
If you don’t have an account, click on the Register an Account button. After you complete the registration process, click on the Enroll in Group button. You will then be enrolled and sent a confirmation email.
