GreenFest 2025

GreenFest is Howard County’s largest celebration of Earth Day. The event aims to connect residents with the resources that local businesses, non-profits and government provide to help anyone be a good steward to the environment.

About

GreenFest is Howard County’s largest celebration of Earth Day. The event aims to connect residents with the resources that local businesses, non-profits and government provide to help anyone be a good steward to the environment. Interact with local green vendors, take home some native plants, attend a workshop or demonstration and much more!

Getting Here

Bike: Choose a “green” mode of transportation this year! Bike HoCo is partnering with GreenFest to provide a free bike corral for visitors and volunteers. If the journey is too far to cycle, consider bringing your bike to an outlying parking lot and biking to the corral.

Bus: There are three RTA buses that serve the Howard Community College campus: 401, 404 and 414. Download the Transit app for real-time date.

Drive: Consider carpooling with other GreenFest attendees! Vendors and attendees should park in the East Garage for easy accessibility to the Academic Commons and outdoor activities.

Native Plant Vendors

Visit our native plant and local farm vendors in Parking Lot A!

• Blue Gables Farm
• Go Native Tree Farm
• Howard EcoWorks
• Lauren’s Garden Service and Native Plant Nursery
• Meadowsweet Native Plant Farm
• Sharps at Waterford Farm
• TLV Tree Farm

Document Shredding

Document shredding will be held in Parking Lot B from 10am – 2pm. Please note that trucks may fill before the designated end time. Residents may bring up to three bags or boxes of paper to be shredded. For future document shredding date, please visit the Bureau of Environmental Services’ webpage.

Transition Repair Café

Do you have items in your house that need fixing or mending but you don’t know where to start? Bring them to the Transition Repair Café at GreenFest! Volunteers will evaluate and fix as many of them as they can and offer their expertise on items that are too large or not possible to bring in. Please register first before bringing your items to GreenFest.

Giveaways

Backyard Compost Bins

The Howard County Master Gardeners will be available to answer any questions about composting and gardening. They will be distributing 50 backyard compost bins. Giveaway information coming soon!

GreenFest is just one of many opportunities to pick up compost bins and learn how to make your own soil amendment. Visit our Backyard Composting page and download this year’s calendar to attend a demonstration.

Rain Barrels

Howard County residents can help reduce stormwater runoff with the help of a rain barrel–they collect and store runoff from roof downspouts, and this water can be reused for lawns and gardens, reducing the use of potable water. This year, 40 rain barrels will be given away at GreenFest. Prior registration is required. Online signup coming soon!

Trees for Bees

Want to help pollinators, fight climate change, and add some beauty to your yard–all for free? Our Trees for Bees giveaway offers native trees and shrubs that provide food and shelter for wildlife while improving water quality and runoff. Quantities are limited, so don’t miss out! Prior reservation is required. Online signup coming March 24th!

Visit our website or more details, including available species and the sign-up link (live on the 24th).

Campus Food Pantry

Donations of food and personal care items will be collected on the first floor of the Galleria during GreenFest. The Fueling Dragons program supports current HCC students overcome food insecurity and cultivate healthy habits. Visit their website for more details.