Sowing Excellence

The Sowing Excellence program, a collaboration of the IDEA Center for Public Gardens and the U.S. Botanic Garden (USBG), supports the growth of plant-centered activities that tap into the potential of under-resourced, underrepresented communities and organizations, including peer-to-peer learning opportunities and networking to support success.

Sowing Excellence Participants

• American Indian Resource Center
• Beth Feldman Brandt
• Black Seeds Urban Farm
• Catherine Boldt
• Deena Class
• Feather Smith
• Gangstas to Growers
• Gibson Works LLC
• Jamie Fry
• Jolly Avenue Garden
• KIK Kaeaikahelelani Inc.
• Kobinah Abdul-Salim
• Margaret Finley
• Melissa Lewis
• Mya Timmons
• Simone Cooper
• Spirit of the Sun
• The Learning Center at the Euchee Butterfly Farm
• Urban Growers Collective

Sowing Excellence Award Criteria

1. Individual, entity or organization must be based in the U.S and serve U.S. communities.
2. Funds must be spent by Dec 31, 2024
3. Plant-centric: promotes the connection between plants and people and emphasizes the significance of the role of plants in our world
   • Horticulture/ Gardening (including community gardens, design, and landscaping)
   • Professional Development (funds for travel, certificates, broader learning)
   • Education (educating the public of all ages)
   • Research (ecological, conservation, environmental)
   • Arts and Exhibits
   • Community Engagement (partnerships)
   • Award/ recognition of impact
   • Capacity building/ incubation (small business, entrepreneur)
   • Diversifying employment
4. The person/organization OR the work itself is IDEA connected
5. The funds are intended to tap into potential (this could be under resourced, underrepresented, or previously untapped communities; expanding availability of funds to those who previously have been excluded from public horticulture funding).
6. Report back on results/impact. Must provide a summary for how funds are used and the impact the funds will have on work/project/etc (template will be provided).
7. Agree to a communication plan and requirements (detailed in the award agreement).
8. Can NOT be advocacy or partisan lobbying, political campaign, or put into a crowdsourcing campaign. (Cannot be a federal organization, but municipal, county or state is okay).