Community gardens are more than spaces to grow food—they represent a powerful and radical idea: sharing land. In a city like Los Angeles, where land is scarce and often seen as a commodity, community gardens challenge this narrative by fostering a shared responsibility for stewarding public land. They embody a sense of mutuality, where neighbors come together to care for something greater than themselves, rooted in the principles of self-governance and small "d" democracy.

This is why our motto for this year has been: Planting Futures.

Each of the 47 gardens in the Los Angeles Community Garden Council network is a living laboratory, experimenting with how communities can thrive and be more resilient. These gardens are places where people of all backgrounds come together to grow food, build relationships, and solve shared challenges. They provide a space to practice democracy on a hyperlocal scale, where decisions about water use, planting schedules, and community events are made collectively, fostering collaboration and shared accountability.

The Power of Stewarding Public Land

When community members help steward public land, they are taking part in a deeply transformative act. They are demonstrating that shared resources can be managed effectively and equitably—not by a centralized authority, but by the people who use and care for them daily. This mutual stewardship cultivates trust, strengthens social ties, and empowers communities to take ownership of their futures.

In many ways, community gardens are a microcosm of what’s possible when we prioritize collaboration over competition. They teach us that land doesn’t have to be divided to be valuable; it can be shared and still flourish.

Gardens as Living Laboratories

Each community garden is unique, shaped by the needs, values, and creativity of its members. One garden might focus on food sovereignty, producing fresh, organic vegetables for neighbors in a food desert. Another might prioritize climate resilience, experimenting with drought-tolerant planting and rainwater harvesting. Some gardens become cultural hubs, where art, storytelling, and traditions are shared alongside gardening techniques.

These “living laboratories” are spaces where innovative ideas are put into practice and where resilience is built from the ground up—literally. Community gardens show us how we can adapt to challenges like climate change, food insecurity, and urban isolation by working together, learning together, and growing together.

Why This Matters

In a world that often prioritizes individual ownership and private gain, community gardens remind us of the power of collective care. They demonstrate that the act of growing food can be a profound expression of hope and solidarity. They challenge us to rethink how we view land, community, and democracy—and to imagine futures that are more inclusive, sustainable, and rooted in mutual care.

This is why we plant. This is why we share. This is why we believe in Planting Futures.

Join us in celebrating the radical, transformative work of community gardeners across Los Angeles. Together, we’re growing more than food—we’re growing resilience, equity, and thriving communities for generations to come.