Click Here for Buddy Finder
Buddy Finder is a tool to help you find solidarity arrangments in Houston, Texas. You'll be connected with fellow conference attendees by the BUGs team. Please use the form above to get started.
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Your Plant Family Reunion is Here
Black Urban Growers (BUGs) and our partners are pleased to present the 12th Annual Black Farmers & Urban Gardeners (BUGS) Conference.
Welcome to Texas!
This year we’re excited to bring together our community in Houston’s historic Third Ward on Friday - Sunday, November 1-3, 2024. The theme, Southern Roots: Soil and Soul—Forging Urban and Rural Sovereignty, bridges the connections between our agrarian family on rural land and our urban kin.
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.
BUDDY FINDER FORM
Are you looking for a person to share the cost of renting a hotel room, Airbnb or other lodging accommodations? If yes, please fill out this form as soon as possible.
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Houston and Prairie View A&M Farm Tours
Friday
For the Houston 2024 Southern Roots, Soil and Soul remix, we are thrilled to provide our plant fam with urban and rural farm tours that showcase both Lonestar sprawl and that Big City verve.
AND...drumroll...
BUGs is going Virtual with farm tours that conference goers can access online without leaving the homestead & making arrangements to water your plants.
Welcome Mixer
Friday Night
We’ll celebrate the opening of the conference Friday evening with a mixer at For the Culture Brewing, a Black-owned brewery.
Eat, drink, dance, and mingle with fellow attendees, presenters and local Black food folks for a night of communion and conversation.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
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Black Farmers & Urban Gardeners Conference Saturday
Prepare your mind and heart for a comprehensive line up of hands-on skill building workshops with growers from the entire diaspora.
We will listen, connect and deepen our collective understanding of natural stewardship through authentic learning and panel discussions; finishing with an industry expert keynote speaker.
Black Farmers & Urban Gardeners Conference
Sunday
Close your "BUGsperience 2024" with break out sessions facilitated by our comrades in the work: the National Black Food and Justice Alliance.
BUGs Bash!
Saturday Night
Saturday night, you are all invited to experience pure Texas vibes at The Ranch Houston.
Peruse food & beverage vendors, shop small & artisan, hit the dance floor with a local band & end the night lounging by the bonfire while you listen to cowboy stories and trail riding tales.
NOTE: This event will be open to the public, however, we are marketing this as a sacred space for Black and brown folks.
Host Hotel
Our host hotel 2024 is the Wyndham Houston near the NRG stadium. Find discounts and more in Whova, your conference app.
Looking for free or low-cost housing options in Houston or the surrounding area?
Stay tuned for the solidarity housing form and a list of affordable hotels, motels, and possible camping options in Houston and the surrounding area.
2024 Conference Announcements and Links
LIFE & CULTURE
Follow #bugsconference on Instagram