Update 3/27/26 10 pm: Registration has now closed. There will be a limited number of on-site tickets available, so if you’d like to participate, we suggest you arrive early!
Mark your calendars for FOUA’s largest and most popular event of the year. We’ll have workshops, garden talks, seeds & seedlings, and great plant discussions at Marymount University’s Ballston Campus. This free event location is easily accessible by car, metro or bus.
Our theme this year is Urban Agriculture is Climate Action. Urban gardeners are creative in their methods. We encourage producers to be thoughtful in what they grow, how they grow, and be knowledgeable about the potential environmental impact of their decisions. Join us for this important discussion.
Date: Sat, March 28, 2026, 10:00 am – 2:00 PM. Doors will open at 9:15 for registration and to visit our event partners.
Location: Marymount University Ballston Campus, 1000 N Glebe Road
Marymount University’s Ballston Campus at 1000 N Glebe Rd, Arlington. We’re a 7 minute walk from the Ballston-Marymount University Metro station (Orange/Silver), and parking will be also available. See transportation and parking info here.
PDF version of agenda here| Time | Activity | Location |
| 9:15 AM | Doors open for check in & registration | 1st Floor/Lobby |
| Visit our partners and garden tables and have a coffee | 2nd Floor | |
| 10:00 AM | Main program – General Session | 1st Floor/Auditorium |
| FOUA Welcome | ||
| Hon. Susan Cunningham, Arlington County Board | ||
| Rich Dooley, Director of Climate Policy, Arlington County Manager’s Office | ||
| Seed saving highlights | ||
| Plot Against Hunger Garden Spotlight: Sue Howell & LP Mitchell | ||
| Plot Against Hunger program updates | ||
| Closing & information for the day | ||
| 11:15 AM | Chat with partners & garden tables & learn about volunteer opportunities. Have a snack break with local food & pastries! | 2nd Floor |
| 12:00 PM | Workshops. Choose from four workshop options: | 3rd Floor Classrooms |
| Bees & Pollinators – Dan Benson | ||
| Root Knot Nematodes – Alyssa Bette | ||
| Plan it Right/Maximize Garden Harvest – Rebecca Halbe | ||
| Marymount Student Presentations: Improving Food Access in Hispanic Communities: Addressing Food Insecurity in Northern Virginia, Growing Healthy Families: How Community Food Supports Maternal & Infant Health, Nutrition for Diabetes & Cholesterol: A closer look at Self-Efficacy | ||
| 12:45 PM | Break time! Grab your lunch bag, pick up a snack, & get ready for roundtables. | 2nd & 3rd Floors |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch roundtable discussions. Choose from School Gardens, Faith Based Gardens, Get Involved with Plot Against Hunger (Optional) | 3rd Floor Classrooms |
| 1:00 PM | Seed & seedling give away begins! Note: No soil allowed in the building, so seedlings will be distributed outside. | 1st Floor/Lobby & Outdoors |
| 2:00 PM | Thank you for joining us! Have a great garden season! |
Want to volunteer on the day of the Spring Garden Kickoff? Interested in being a Spring Garden Kickoff event sponsor? Contact us at info@arlingtonurbanag.org
Transportation and Parking
Marymount University’s Ballston Campus is located at 1000 N Glebe Road (at Fairfax Drive.)
It is a convenient 7 minute walk from the Ballston-MU Metro Station, serviced by the orange and silver lines and multiple bus lines.
Parking Options:
- Parking under the building is $6 for the entire day. An elevator from the garage will bring you straight into the building’s lobby. Ballston Center’s parking garage can be accessed from the rear of the building, off N. Wakefield Street.
- Meter parking is available on N. Glebe Road and N. Fairfax Drive.
- Ballston garage, 627 N. Glebe Rd. (10 minute walk to Marymount Ballston) ($1 for 3 hours; $3 for 3-4 hours — remember that Ballston garage now requires prepayment at machines by the elevators.)
- Free parking is available on neighborhood streets, but may be limited.
EN 
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