Essentials for Starting a Community Garden

Montana Office of Rural Health InitiativeMontana State University Extension Service

Featured Panelists

Toby Day, Extension Horticulture Specialist, Montana State UniversityAlice Burchak, Shelby Community Gardens, Extension Agent, Toole County Virgil Dupuis, Extension Director, Salish/Kootenai College Kendra Byrom, Growing Community Project Supervisor, Helena Marguerite Jodry, Americorps VISTA Jackson’s Garden, Sheridan.

Shelby Community Garden

Shelby Community Garden

Shelby Community Garden

Shelby Community Garden

Jackson’s Garden: Introduction

• Sheridan, MT– Population

759– +13% living

below poverty line

– Traditional agricultural community

• 8.5 acres and all equipment and tools donated in 2010

• Communally maintained vegetable and flower gardens, and small apple orchard•12 Core Members, many community volunteers

AERO – Building Community Gardens in Montana

http://www.aeromt.org

Who’s in Charge of the Community Garden?

• Leader or Group?

• Start a Planning committee• Identify Additional Stakeholders• Getting Community Feedback and Support• Hold Informational Meetings• Approach a Sponsor• Publicity and Outreach• Communication

What is the Community Garden’s Purpose?

• Individuals Use, Food Bank, Farmer’s Market?

• Who does the Food/Flowers go to?• Food Shares• School Lunch Programs• Plant a Row for the Hungry?• Communication/Regular Meetings

Is the Community Garden Organic?

• Being Organic and Using Best Organic Practices are Two Different Things…

• Certified Organic• Setting Boundaries Before They Become Issues• What kind of Pest Control Options are

Acceptable?

• Communication/Regular Meetings

Finding the Right Site For Your Garden

• City, County, Private?

• Evaluate Your Land• Test the Soil• Choose the Site• Communicate with the Landowner• Lease Agreements and Use Agreements• Donated vs. Public Land• Insurance• Underground Power/Water/Gas?

Water Availability

• Fee or Free?

• Where is the Source?• Is the Water Source Reliable?• Cost• Have the Water Tested

What about Parking, Maintenance and Security?

• Lighting, Garden Hours, Critters, Theft…

• Fencing – it costs more than you think• Lighting• Hours of Operation• Parking• Handicap Accessible• Gates/Locks/Codes• Communication/Regular Meetings

Tools/Machinery/Services

• Will They be Purchased or Donated and How Will They be Maintained?

• Storage and Security• Loan Programs• Keeping Tools in Good Working Order• Communication/Regular Meetings

Staffing the Community Garden

• How to Manage the Garden

• Garden Guidelines• Education• Vandalism• Scheduling• Written and Signed Guidelines• Retaining Volunteers• Communication/Regular Meetings

Funding the Garden

• Donations• Membership/Dues• Grants• Identify Additional Stakeholders• Getting Community Feedback and Support• Hold Informational Meetings• Approach a Sponsor• Publicity and Outreach

Thanks for Participating

Contacts Information:

Toby Day (406) 994-6523 toby.day@montana.eduVirgil Dupuis (406) 275-4899 virgil_dupuis@skc.eduAlice Burchak (406) 424-8350 aburchak@montana.eduMarguerite Jodry (406) 596-0492 marguerite.jodry@gmail.comKendra Byrom (406) 495-0497 kbyrom@weelempowers.org