Lisa Valdivia Extension Associate

The Cooperative Extension Program at NC A&T State University

Muldoon, M.F., Taylor, A. K., Richman, N., Fisk, J., (2013), Innovations in Local Food Enterprise: Fresh ideas for a just & profitable food system. Arlington, VA: Wallace Center at Winrock International

Divided into plots for individual and family use.

Land may be borrowed, rented or owned by the gardeners.

Gardeners generally prepare, plant, maintain and harvest from their own plots.

Briggs Avenue Community GardenDurham, NC

Organized and gardened by a group of people who share in the work and rewards.

Produce is distributed among group members.

Sometimes produce is donated to a local food pantry. Piney Wood Chapel Missionary Baptist Church

Community GardenPowellsville, NC

Often open to the general public for display and classes.

Managed and maintained by garden members or a participating gardening group such as Extension Master Gardeners

Making Pitt Fit Community GardenGreenville, NC

May be established at a church, food pantry, food bank or other location.

Produce is often grown by volunteers and donated The Lord’s Acre

Fairview, NC

Provide horticultural therapy

A trained horticulture therapist often leads programs and classes.

Gardens may be located at hospitals, senior centers, prisons or other places. Photo by Sarah Harmon

Peterson Rehabilitation Hospital Garden

Students build a culture of ownership and stewardship at their school

Garden activities help infuse lessons with nutrition, science concepts, environmental awareness, and healthy behaviors.

George Putnam School Garden 1891

Teach job skills to youth or other groups.

Grow and sell the produce, honey, etc. that they produce

Proceeds may pay participants for their work.

Programs typically rely on outside sources of funding to offset costs. Growing Change, youth group

Scotland County, NC

Briggs Avenue Community GardenDurham, NC

1. Determine Interest2. Involve Your Community3. Define Garden Goals4. Establish Roles & Rules5. Gather Resources6. Develop Garden Site7. Educate. Celebrate!

Does your community want a community garden?

Is there broad support for it?

Invite all levels of participationInform the community, increase visibility! Need core group of people

Rather than creating a garden for the community.

Create a garden with the community.

Photo from Joni Torres

Many ways to start/manage a community gardenEngage & empower those affected by the garden

at every stage of planning, building, & managing garden

Don’t do for others what they can do for themselves

People are motivated by their own self interests, find out what those interests are

Each community member has something to contribute

Source -- Growing Communities Curriculum: Community Building and Organizational Development through Community Gardening

by Jeanette Abi-Nader, David Buckley, Kendall Dunnigan and Kristen Markley

Things you have knowledge of that you

want to share.

Things you can do with your hands that you want

to share.

Things you really care about that will move you

to action.

Important relationships you have in your

community.

ConnectionsPassion

Skills Knowledge

Adapted fom ABCD, Community Resources Assessment PPT . www.abcdinstitute.org

Individual Capacity Inventory

Cooperative Extension AgentsLocal governmentParks & Recreation …

A successful garden project starts with a good plan!

Example mission statement…to encourage community

involvement, promote stewardship of the earth and provide food and education for ourselves and our

neighbors in need.

Who will work in the garden?Who will the garden serve?Who will manage the garden?What will be the name of the garden?

UNC Asheville Community Garden

Form a steering/leadership group (coordinator, treasurer, secretary, etc.) Keep it simple!

Establish a decision making processChoose a communication strategy

Create gardener guidelines and garden rules collectively

Don’t reinvent the wheel

Gardener Guidelines Examples

A plot cannot be gardened until payment of fees and a signed agreement and liability release is received and approved.

Do not apply anything to, or pick anything from another person's plot without their consent.

All gardeners are required to volunteer at least 5 hours per year to help maintain the garden.

Find a sponsor!Fundraise creativelySecure in-kind donations

Start small!

Basic site requirementsIdentify land ownerAt least a 3 year lease Central/visible location 6-8 full hours of sunlightSoil test for nutrients & heavy metalsConsider past land use Availability of water Relatively flat with good drainage

Offer frequent educational opportunities Visit other community gardensWork, eat and celebrate together!

Determine Interest Involve Your Community Define Goals Establish Roles & Rules Gather Resources Develop Site Educate. Celebrate!

www.NCCGP.org

NC Cooperative Extension Local county offices

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/local-county-center/ NC Community Garden Portal

http://nccommunitygardens.ces.ncsu.eduNCCGP Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NCCGP NC community garden listserv

Go to www.NCCGP.org Contact listserv sign-upAmerican Community Gardening Association

www.communitygarden.orgOther community gardens!

Lisa Valdivia Extension Associate

The Cooperative Extension Program, NC A&T State University NCCGP Board Member

eaposer@ncat.edu336.285.4622