Community Gardens An Asset for your Community. Evelyn Neier K-State Research & Extension

Transcription

1 Community Gardens An Asset for your Community Evelyn Neier K-State Research & Extension

2 What are Community Gardens? What is a community garden? What is the purpose of a community garden? What does the term community garden mean to YOU?

3 History of Community Gardens in the United States Social reforms of the 1890 s World War I supplement domestic food supply. Public school gardens=united States School Garden Army Great Depression 23 million households gardened in programs in 1934

4 History of Community Gardens Victory Gardens of World War II 1970s Rebirth of Community Gardens Present Renewed interest in growing food, community development, etc. in the United States

5 How Gardens Benefit Communities

6 Community Brings people together Shared learning Gives a gardening spot for those that don t have access Apartment and mobile home dwellers Shaded yard Poor soil

7 Health Nutrition Access to fresh, healthy food Increased consumption of vegetables Stretch food dollars Physical Activity You can garden throughout your lifetime Mental Health

8 Improve Neighborhoods Neighborhood communication Utilize unused spaces Crime prevention Community beautification Property values Education

9 Economic Impact Economic Impact Well maintained garden: ½ lb product/ sq ft area Approximate value of at least $2/lb Average 600 sq ft garden = 300 lb product 300 lb x $2 = $600 produce $600 - $70 investment = $530 return 2009 National Gardening Association Survey for home gardeners. Numbers may vary where investment $s are lower

10 How to Get Started

11 Planning Good planning is critical Many gardens have failed because of knee jerk reactions It s more than just tilling some soil Need buy in of gardeners Grass root effort Determine needs of your community Not a one size fits all situation

12 Brainstorming Session Is there a need for a garden? What is the purpose of the garden? What role will the garden play in the community? Who will utilize the garden? What type of garden will meet our needs? Who will support the garden?

13 Types of Gardens

14 Types of Gardens Allotment Garden Collective or Communal Garden School Garden Training Garden or Mentoring Garden

15 Allotment Community Garden (Hutchinson)

16 Allotment Garden (Abilene)

17 Characteristics of Allotment Garden Land is divided into plots for individual or family use. Land may be owned, rented or borrowed by the community garden. Gardens are usually organized and managed by the member gardeners.

18 Allotment Gardens Plots are rented by community members on an annual basis. Plot rent fees help sustain garden financially. Most common type of community garden.

19 Communal Garden (Larned)

20 Communal Garden (Florence)

21 Collective or Communal Garden Participants work in garden for a common goal (ex. Food pantry garden, grow produce to donate to low income families, gardens share produce with each other, etc.) All for one and one for all.

22 School Garden

23 School Gardens Outdoor classroom Science, math, language arts, nutrition, social science, art, etc. Goals Help meet specific educational goals related to state education standards School beautification

24 Training or Mentoring Programs

25 Training or Mentoring Gardens Meet needs of a specific group Youth Groups (4-H, Boys and Girls Clubs, etc.) Special Needs Audiences Correctional Programs

26 Training or Mentoring Gardens Physical activity Nutrition education Social and leadership skill development Develop specific job skills

27 ORGANIZATION & GOVERNANCE How will garden be organized? How will lead? Who will garden?

28 Who will use the garden? Any qualifications? Membership Participation in garden activities, such as work days, meetings, social events? Demographics

29 Garden Governance Garden Rules, By-Laws (examples on website) Developed by the garden group Specific to your situation Provides for smooth operation of garden Helps establish expectations for all gardeners Provides for an appeal process May be reviewed by legal counsel.

30 Who will run the garden? Site Council of Gardeners Gardener Manager Host Organization

31 FUNDING How will the garden be funded? What will it cost to operate?

32 $$$ What will it cost?? $$$ Need to plan for sustainability Establish a budget (examples available online) Typical Expenses Infrastructure (shed, water lines, fences, amenities) Tilling/Equipment Rental/Maintenance of Common Areas Loaner Equipment (rakes, shovels, hoes, hoses, etc.) Water Bill Meeting Expenses Insurance

33 Funding Sources Garden plot rental fees Hosting organization support Local government support Fundraising Grants Gifs of $ or in kind donations

34 Funding Sources Plot fees are a good idea Gardeners that have made some type of monetary commitment. More likely to buy-in More likely to follow through for the garden season Feel ownership Take pride in their gardens

35 The Role of a Sponsoring Agency Level of support my vary Full Support Partial Support Support through organizational period

36 The Role of a Sponsoring Agency What is the goal of the agency? What is their expectation? How will you measure outcomes? What will their role be in the garden s establishment and/or management? How long to they plan to be involved?

37 The Role of a Sponsoring Agency Location/Garden Site Donation or long term lease Facilities Restrooms, kitchen, meeting space, equipment storage Financial Support Insurance, water bill, purchase or use of equipment, tools and supplies

38 The Role of a Sponsoring Agency Office Support Handle registrations, make copies, etc. Guidance and Mentoring Organizational support Legal counsel Training opportunities

39 BUILDING A STRONG TEAM

40 (Community) = (Garden) Balance of Community and Garden You are not a COMMUNITY Garden without both COMMUNITY and GARDEN

41 Building the Team Team Involvement and Camaraderie Dedicated, motivated members Diversity of ages, backgrounds and skills Share the work and responsibilities to avoid BURN OUT Democratic process Good communication

42 Key Roles Leader Communicator/Publicity Person Money Person/Treasurer Recorder/Secretary Fundraiser Dedicated Board Members Garden Mentors Perhaps a Garden Manager or Coordinator

43 Choosing the Site

44 Site Selection LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION Factors to Consider Availability Appropriate Size Previous Use Physical Characteristics Access for Equipment

45 Who owns the property? Public? Private? Prior Use Industrial residue. Toxicity issues. Soil compaction Can use be guaranteed for at least 4-5 years?

46 Neighborhood Is the neighborhood safe? Is their good visibility? Will you have the support of the neighbors? Are you committed to being a good asset to the neighborhood? Will YOU be a good neighbor?

47 Physical Characteristics Light At LEAST 6-8 hrs of direct sunlight per day Water MUST have access to water Water quality check for salts Soil Type Need to do a soil test

48 Physical Characteristics Drainage Is the site fairly level? Will areas be underwater after heavy rains? Dig hole 2 ft deep. Fill with water. How long does it take to drain? Existing Vegetation Windbreak is helpful Avoid area with a lot of trees in the main garden area

49 Preparing the Site

50 Preparing the Site Good site preparation is critical to success of new garden. MORE NEW GARDENS FAIL BECAUSE OF POOR SOIL PREPARTION. Once beds are established it is harder to make changes.

51 Preparing the Site Soil Test. Make adjustments prior to gardening season. Eliminate existing vegetation the summer PRIOR to planting in spring.

52 Garden Design Layout Design Options Size of Plots In ground or raised beds Types of plants grown in garden Other Elements

53 Garden Layout and Design Many Options Avoid a lot of hardscape, trees, and perennial plantings that limit ease of tillage Many gardens offer at least two plot size options. Paths need to be wide enough for equipment Plan for water lines, hoses, etc.

54 Open Layout Can be tilled each year Easy to change from year to year

55 Set Design Layout doesn t change from year to year May include raised beds, or permanent aisles Hard to make changes in bed size

56 Pros and Cons of Raised Beds PROS Help alleviate drainage issues Modify soil types Control access to individual plots CONS Expensive to establish Labor to install More maintenance Not easily changed There isn t always a good reason to have raised beds

57 Elements to Consider Garden boundaries Location and size of plots Driveways Pathways Water sources Equipment storage/shed Compost bins Benches Bathroom facilities Signage

58 Garden Plot Sizes Many gardens offer two sizes Common sizes are 10 x 10, 10 x 20 Varies greatly with communities Some gardens regulate how many plots a new or returning gardener may rent

59 Aisles for Equipment and Water Lines/Hoses

60 Water Sources Wells Check water quality City water Local government was waive or reduce water bills Rain barrels Remember to consider E. coli issues with water contamination

61 Water Source

62 Equipment Storage

63 Equipment Storage

64 Compost Area

65 Social Spaces

66 Bathroom Facilities

67 Signage

68 MANAGING THE GARDEN

69 Common Issues for Gardens Plot maintenance standards General garden maintenance Will gardeners have shared responsibilities to assist with general projects that benefit entire garden? Planting restrictions End of season procedures

70 Common Issues for Gardens Maintenance restrictions Approved types of fertilizers, chemicals, etc. Composting What is allowed Watering How long, how often can you water Use of shared tools and equipment Training, access to equipment

71 Common Issues for Gardens Respect for other gardeners plots Pets Children Drug and alcohol use

72 Common Issues for Gardens VANDALISM Know your fellow gardeners Maintain your garden on a regular basis Harvest regularly don t encourage theft Grow more than you need Use common sense Carry a cell phone when possible

73 Common Issues for Gardens Violation of Garden Rules Are expectations and rules clearly established prior to gardening season? Who will enforce rules? Board, manager How do you appeal a ruling?

74 SUSTAINING THE GARDEN

75 Don t Rest on Your Laurels Regular meetings Consistent and constant communication Regularly assess financial situation Plan for the future Seek input through evaluation

76 Communication Share important information Announcements of meetings, work days, social events Current concerns Recruit new members

77 Communication Gardener s Welcome Packet Contact information Garden board, membership roster Map with plot location identified Garden policies Frequently asked questions Basic gardening information

78 How to Communicate Replicate through a variety of media Phone trees Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Blogs, etc.) Newsletters (electronic, print) Mail Post notices at garden site, in shed, etc.

79 PROGRAMMING

80 Importance of Programming Education Help new gardeners Continued education for seasoned gardeners Address new concerns and trends (diseases, insects, environmental issues, etc.)

81 Importance of Programming Sense of Community Belonging Security Learn from each other Share responsibilities Work Days Committee Work Planning Leadership

82 Importance of Programming Inclusive Adults and Children Singles, Couples, Families All Ethnic Groups Positive Enjoyable Ongoing Regularly; throughout the year

83

84 Resources

85 Website Resources Documents and Publications Missouri Community Gardening Toolkit (Missouri Extension) How to Organize an Allotment Community Garden (North Carolina State Extension) Sample Garden Documents (rules, bylaws, budgets)

86 Website FAQ Videos Conference Archives Grant opportunities Lists of gardens in Kansas Overview of gardens that received Kansas Community Garden Grants, including links to their websites, social media

87 Website Links K-State Research & Extension Horticulture Information Publications Videos Newsletters American Community Gardening Association Insurance for Community Gardens

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89 Starting a New Community Garden Brings value to your community. Remember importance of good planning. Include gardeners in the planning process. Keep in mind that a community garden is a community within a community.

90 For More Information Evelyn Neier 4-H Youth Development] K-State Research & Extension