Two AIB Cities Competing in International Challenge 
Arroyo Grande, California, and Echo, Oregon, are participating in this year's International Challenge, coordinated by Communities in Bloom in Canada.
Arroyo Grande is competing against seven communities from Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Echo is competing against eight cities from Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Good luck to both cities!
Click here to read more. 
After almost 11,000 consumers voted in the 2010 American Garden Award contest, the program is back and bigger than ever for 2011. There are now 24 participating public gardens displaying 7 stunning new varieties (produced from both seed and vegetative cuttings) for the gardening public to choose as their favorite. All 24 gardens can be viewed on the AGA web site. 
There are a number of ways a business can benefit from being an active member of the community. Call it public relations or community involvement, those who take part in the beautification and enrichment of their surrounding community are more likely to not only sleep better at night, but also to see a boost in business.
This award recognizes an individual who exemplifies community leadership through actions that reflect the mission of the organization. The award recipient, who must be from a city that has 
When I was six, my father led me to the side of our rented house and gave me my first lesson in gardening. We were planting tomatoes, and I learned about spacing, staking, and exposure. Years later, I still plant tomatoes. 'Better Boy' has replaced 'Burpee Big Boy,' 'Beefmaster' has replaced 'Beefsteak,' and the cherry tomatoes now are named varieties 'Juliet' and 'SunSugar.'
