Unable to attend the 2022 Growing Together Conference, Feb. 18-20 in Grand Rapids? Let us link you up with some of the tour stops!
Click the links below to check out websites of the various tour stops featured on day one of this year’s conference. Read the history, look at photos, and dive into resources from the same locations your fellow members will experience firsthand.
Then, at your next committee or board meeting, extend Growing Together’s reach sharing what you learned!
Grand Rapids City Tour
Whether this is your first or 100th time in Grand Rapids, take some time to learn about the city. From the history of the Pantlind Hotel to the Grand River, to Heritage Hill, a city tour guide will join us as we drive around town, sharing knowledge of the past and present.
Visit Fredrick Meijer Gardens for a behind-the-scenes tour of the on-site greenhouses that supply these majestic gardens. Hear the horticulture staff explain what it takes to maintain the landscapes, sculptures and indoor exhibits. Then, take some free time to wander the indoor spaces.
Syrup, Spuds & Safety
Including a maple syrup station at your next Project RED? Have you used the Potato Ag Mag during a classroom visit? Maybe your Young Farmers are hosting a countywide farm tour for high school students?
Educating others about agriculture can get sticky, but with the right tools and techniques it can flow pretty smooth! Whatever your methods, this tour will offer tips for reaching audiences of all ages.
Visit a sugar shack and explore maple syrup resources from the Agriculture in the Classroom website. Tour a potato farm and see how spuds are processed while learning how to safely provide tours for large groups on your own farm.
Great Grilling
Two engineers go on a fishing trip and…
Find out how locally owned Grilla Grills got started in the grill and pellet smoker business. Hear from their in-house chef how to perfectly smoke cuts of meat, trends in grilling and what the home-BBQ chef is looking for in locally raised and butchered meats.
Round out the tour learning more about consumer purchasing preferences and direct-from-farm sales.