Community Garden Application Packet for School Based Gardens

Community Garden Application Packet for School Based Gardens Buffalo Public Schools Health Related Services 428 City Hall, Buffalo, New York 14202 Phone: (716) 816-3912 The application process to start or continue a school garden at a Buffalo Public School consists of two parts. The Garden Application/Renewal Application and a Grant Application. The two documents must be completed and submitted together by October 31. Applications can be submitted to the above address. Please label ATTN: School Garden Committee. For assistance with completing either application, please contact the Committee at buffaloschoolgardens@gmail.com or (716) 816-3912.*Any Buffalo Public School is eligible to apply for grant funding School Garden Committee Vision Statement: Creating Healthy School Communities School Garden Committee Mission Statement: Support the development of sustainable school gardens that facilitate academic growth, community building, and healthy lifestyles. Grassroots Gardens Mission Statement: Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo enables community-led efforts to revitalize the city and enhance quality of life through the creation and maintenance of community gardens that beautify blocks, grow healthy food, and strengthen neighborhood spirit. Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo 2495 Main St., Suite 408 Buffalo, NY 14214. www.grassrootsgardens.org www.buffaloschoolgardens.com

Starting a School / Community Garden with Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo What is a community garden? A community garden is a piece of land used communally by friends and neighbors for growing vegetables and flowers, and providing opportunities for positive social interactions and recreation. There are many different kinds of community gardens plots can be divided up among neighbors, a garden could be a school-based garden, some gardens grow food for food pantries, while others are purely ornamental with space for block club meetings and neighborhood celebrations - the possibilities are endless. This packet includes: Information about Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo and the Buffalo School Garden Committee Timeline for starting a community garden Application and grant materials Approved School / Community Garden projects will receive the following support from GGB: GGB provides materials such as topsoil, raised bed materials, plant material, and seeds. Quantities available to each garden are subject to availability each growing season. It is important to work with our staff during the winter months to plan for your upcoming seasonal needs, so that we can budget for expenses accordingly. We hold plant distributions as soon as material becomes available, typically after Memorial Day each season. We provide liability insurance for the garden parcel, which provides liability coverage for gardeners, volunteers and garden visitors. Structures (such as tool sheds and greenhouses) are not permitted. We hold a workshop series in the Spring and Fall workshop topics include: building raised beds, approaching garden design, harvesting and preserving herbs, creating healthy soil, and more. If you need access to a fire hydrant for assistance watering your garden, we can help you acquire a use permit from the City of Buffalo, Division of Water. You must make us aware of this request no later than March of each year. We will supply you with a copy of the permit (for use from April October), and we will retain a copy in our office. You are responsible for purchasing the hardware needed to use the hydrant. We have information on where to purchase this hardware, as well as instructions on how to use a fire hydrant available for community gardeners. We have a limited number of tools available for use when you have larger work days. We do not have any power tools. We request that you coordinate with our staff in advance of the work day to reserve tools and schedule a time for you to pick them up from our office. 2

Summer / Early Fall October 31 Fall / Early Winter Timeline for Starting a School / Community Garden: Grow community interest engage residents and hold a neighborhood meeting to discuss the possible garden. Involve anyone who may be interested andsee if a community garden is needed in your neighborhood. School Garden Application is Due- Applicants will be notified in November upon acceptance Brainstorm ideas for the garden with the community: What kind of garden is it going to be? Identify a location for the proposed community garden Things to consider when selecting a garden site: Sun - most vegetables require six hours of direct sunlight Shade it s nice to have a shady area to sit in Water - this is very important to think about beforehand! Is there a neighboring house that will let you use their water? If not, is there a hydrant in close proximity? You must have a water source of some kind. Visibility - people will watch over the garden and theft and vandalism will be less of a concern if it is visible from the street. Also, more people may become involved in the garden. Size - it is better to start out small. Creating a well-developed and sustainable garden is a lot of work and can be daunting. Start small you can always expand in the future. Winter Develop a garden committee - this way one person does not end up doing all of the work. Identify the resources that you have in your community what skills and resources are already in your community? Build off of existing assets and strengths. We require that there are at least five people devoted to working in the garden. Late February Have the homeowners that are adjacent to the garden write letters of support for the garden. There must be one from each homeowner. April Start planning work dates. A good way to start is by having a ground breaking work day in the garden with volunteers. Planning the garden: Planning committee: we require that at least 5 people commit to the garden for 5 years. Of those we suggest that two people take on these roles and work together: o Garden Coordinator - deals with the mechanics of the garden - watering, building beds, how much topsoil they need, administrative issues, mowing, etc. o Garden Steward (lead gardener) primary point of contact for GGB, picks up plant materials at distributions, helps gardeners keep in touch with each other (whether it be a Facebook page, E-mail, or weekly meetings in the garden, it is important for gardeners to keep in contact and involved) 3

These roles are suggestions feel free to customize based on your neighborhood and your needs. Using the site plan of the garden you submitted to GGB with your application, now it is time to decide what materials you will need and where to source them. When laying out the garden think about leaving plenty of room for getting materials in and out, including a place for trucks to deliver large materials, such as topsoil. It is also important to set up some rules/guidelines for the garden - are the beds going to be communal or is everyone going to have their own bed? How will you water (sprinklers, soaker hoses, handheld hoses)? Who is responsible for watering? What is the protocol for putting the beds to rest in the fall? How often do people have to work in the garden (if people have their own raised beds do they have to put in hours working in the communal areas)? These are just a few suggestions; the rules should be set in writing before starting the garden. Prepare and develop the site: This is when all of your plans come to fruition! Work days and volunteers need to be organized. If both the coordinator and steward cannot be there, a neighborhood gardener should be onsite so that they can be the leader on projects and the garden plans are honored It is good to have a day of cleanup and preparation before starting large projects. Vegetables need to be planted in beds that are at least 12" high. A good first project is to develop the beds and paths. Usually, all of the garden plans cannot be executed in one year. If you are doing vegetable beds this would be a good first project so that the veggies can be planted and you can have produce your first year. Once the groundwork is laid more people may be interested in joining the garden. Things to consider when starting a community garden: Lack of community participation be creative and plan activities and events to help engage neighbors Vandalism/theft signage often helps Conflict between gardeners be prepared to address conflict early before it escalates Soil health - add cover crops, rotate crops, add organic matter Community and neighbors must think that the garden is a good investment - keep them involved and happy about the garden Regular maintenance days will keep the garden up weekly weeding and harvesting is important to fully utilize the garden Large work days in the spring, summer, and fall are important for larger projects that you may need additional help with, such as installing pathways, etc. 4

Your application must include the following: Form School Garden Application Form Garden Grant Application Form Neighborhood and Community Engagement Form Neighborhood Support Sheet[Fill out only if garden is on vacant lot off school grounds] Letters of support from neighbors adjacent to the garden [Fill out only if garden is on vacant lot off school grounds] Before photo of the garden site Completed 5

Name of Applicant and Contact Information Affiliation to School Garden (parent, teacher, community member) School Name and/or Number School Contact Info Please include Address, Phone #, Fax # and email Principal s Name School Garden Name Does your garden have a theme? Is your garden in the School Garden Application *planning phase *construction phase *established and growing Where will the garden be located? Courtyard Indoor What do you anticipate growing/are you currently growing? Vacant Lot Outdoor on School Property Other 6

Garden Team School gardens require time and varying talents. Enlisting members of the school community and neighborhood is important for the success of any school garden. It is recommended that School Garden Teams have the following members. Additional members are welcomed but optional. Recommended members include: the Principal or Vice Principal, an Engineer, a representative from the food service department, at least 2 teachers, at least 3 parents, and if the school is a middle or high school 1-2 students. Garden Team Member Name Contact Info. (phone/email/classroom #) Principal/Vice Principal Teacher Teacher Parent Parent Parent Engineer Food Service Dept Rep Say YES! Coordinator Student Student * Please place an (*) asterisk next to the Garden Team Chairperson or Co-Chairs 7

**In order to ensure that gardens are sustainable and can continue uninterrupted year to year, team members (parents, teachers, students) are asked to commit to either 2 or 3 years of service on the team. Garden Timeline and Maintenance Please submit a brief timeline of your garden project. For new gardens you can include events such as the Groundbreaking Event, Garden Team Meetings, planting days, etc. For both new and existing gardens please include the days of the week, times, and time of year (school year and/or summer) that classes will meet in the garden to learn and maintain the space. This timeline and maintenance schedule may change depending on seasons and your garden s growth. However, starting to plan events and thinking about a schedule will help your garden team organize volunteers and plan for materials. Timeline GardenObjective Project Date Individuals Responsible Supplies Needed Cost EXAMPLE: Workday Every Wednesday at 1pm Ms. Potter s 5 th grade class Tools $0 8

How will your garden be used for academics during the school year? Garden Program What grades do you intend will use the garden initially? Will there be an after school program that utilizes the school garden? Will there be a summer program that utilizes the school garden? Will garden educators (teachers/parents/etc) need training on incorporating the garden into lesson plans? Yes Yes Yes No No No Water Access How will you access water for the school garden? Indoor Outdoor Spigot Rain Barrels 9

Principal s support of this school garden project: I verify that the (school name) School garden team has developed a plan for a sustainable school garden. I support the team s efforts and will work with them to ensure a successful experience for the school community. Principal s Signature: Date: Printed Name: Plant Department/Engineer approval of school garden site: I verify that a suitable location for this garden project has been chosen. Engineer s Signature: Date: Printed Name: 10

Garden Grant Application School Garden Name/School# Garden grants will be awarded to both new gardens and existing gardens to help with start up and recurring costs. Grants can be used to fund all or a portion of your school garden depending on the size and scope of the project. School garden grants cannot be used to pay for a garden coordinator stipend. Schools that receive a Garden Grant are responsible for submitting receipts/invoices for materials purchased using grant funds to Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo. Submission deadlines will be provided to grant recipients. Failure to submit receipts/invoices will result in loss of funding eligibility in subsequent years. Please complete each section below. *Are you applying for a grant for a new garden? *Briefly describe the project or portion of the project for which you are seeking a grant (will the grant be used for construction, maintenance, programming, etc). *What are your garden team s goals for the garden for this school year? 11

*Approximately how many students (and number of classes) will participate in the garden program this year? Please include the age of the students participating. *Are you applying for other grants or fundraising to provide additional support for your school garden? Please describe other potential funding sources. Please provide a brief statement as to the impact this garden will have or has had on the students and school community. 12

*Please provide a copy of your annual budget for the school garden and identify below line items that will be paid for using the Garden Grant funds. *Please remember to submit a basic sketch of your garden. 13

Neighborhood and Community Engagement School gardens are a great way to positively engage the residents that live around your school as well as community stakeholders engaged in school programs with the students, teachers, and staff of the building. They provide a welcoming venue that acts as a meeting place between the school community and neighbors to discuss the good (and bad) things that are happening in the neighborhood. Events held in gardens liven up the community and build social capital. There is potential to find mentorships between knowledgeable residents and students, and help the young people that travel to the neighborhood become involved in their community. Will the garden be open for the public to use as a community space (events, general hanging out)? If so, how will the public know that the garden is used solely for school activities (signage, rules)? Will the garden be open for the school community or public to use as a gardening space (community beds, plots for use)? How do you plan on getting non-school community members involved with your garden? Are there any other organizations involved in your school community or neighborhood that your school garden team could form a partnership with to help with the establishment and upkeep of the community garden? (mentorship program, afterschool program, etc.) Thank you for your application! Date 14

Grassroots Gardens of Buffalo Community Garden Application **Please fill out this section if your school garden is on a vacant property off school grounds** Location of Proposed Garden (Including Zip Code): Garden/Organization Name: Landowner name: You must attach a copy of a letter from the land owner granting your group permission to use the lot for the purpose of establishing / maintaining a community garden. What are the approximate dimensions and location (corner, between two houses, etc) of the lot? Are there any other organizations in your neighborhood (or near the proposed garden site) that you have or are forming partnerships with to help with the establishment and upkeep of the community garden? If so, please list them: Where is the nearest fire hydrant - Street address: 15

Neighborhood Support Sheet [Fill out if garden is on vacant lot near school grounds] Your neighbors are interested in establishing a community garden on your block. Please let us know if you support this proposed project. Thank you. Name Address Support? (Y/N) 16