Steps in Community Kitchen Gardening

A Training PresentationBy

Mr. Allah Dad Khan Agriculture Consultant KPK Province Pakistan

WHAT IS A COMMUNITY GARDEN?

A Community Garden is a unique use of public open space, managed by the community

primarily for producing food and contributing to the development of a sustainable urban

environment.

It is a place for learning and sharing about sustainable living practices whilst actively buil

ding community through shared activities, and contributing to improved health and w

ell‐being.

Benefits of Community Gardens

1. Health: Community gardens provide a place to grow healthy, nutritious food resulting in both gardeners and

their families eating a wider variety, larger quantity, and higher quality of fresh fruits and vegetables.

2.Nature: Lessons learned in the community garden about water conservation, water quality preservation,

environmental stewardship, and sustainable land use may be taken back to homes, businesses, and schools

and implemented, improving environmental health

3. Life Skills: In addition to a wealth of basic horticulture information, gardeners learn important life skills such

as planning, organization, and teamwork.

4. Finance: Community gardens may have financial benefits for both the gardener and the landowner. Some

gardeners sell the produce they grow. Others benefit by reducing the amount they spend on produce.

Property owners may generate income by renting garden plots.

Types of Community Gardens

1. Plot Gardens (divide into individual plots)

2.Cooperative Gardens (work as a team on one large garden)

3.Youth Gardens

4.Entrepreneurial Market Gardens (sell produce)

5. Communal gardens

6.Food pantry gardens

7.Therapy gardens

8.Demonstration gardens

How to Start Community Gardening

Any of the following groups may have land, resources, and interested employees or clients.

1. Citizens’ groups

2. Colleges and universities

3. Community and senior centers

4. Community organizations

5. Cooperative Extension

6. Agriculture Department

7. Health departments

8. Housing authorities

9. Social services organizations

10. Municipalities

11. Community lands

12. Parks and recreation

13. Private businesses

14. Motor ways Road spaces

15. Retirement communities

16. Schools and clubs

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS

Purpose Of community gardening

1. Determine Need and Interest: What is the goal (individuals growing for themselves,

service group, beautification...)

2. If a service garden, are those who will benefit willing to be involved?

3. Hold an exploratory meeting. Invite everyone interested or even peripherally involved

(neighbors, service organizations, gardening groups, building superintendent and board,

community groups, elected officials.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

1. What is your purpose? What are your short and long-term objectives?

2. How are decisions to be made? Who chooses leaders and how?

3. How will work be shared? Who does what?

4. How will you raise money? Membership dues, fund raising, grants, sponsors?

5. Are you open to change? Flexibility is important when goals and members change.

6. Do you want to be incorporated or act as an organization?

Organize the Community Garden Committee

1. Set up a Planning Committee

2. Choose a name

3. Consider finding a sponsor (a local business or association)

4. Contact similar groups in your area for advice

5. Will membership be required?

6. Will dues be charged? If so, what do you get for your dues?

7. Are you required to work as a member?

8. Are there rules to follow? Who decides on them?

9. Plot sizes? How will they be assigned? How will they be laid out?

10. Will the work be done individually or will large jobs, like tilling, be cooperative?

11. Will there be hours?

12. What are the minimal maintenance requirements?

13. Who will be responsible for tools?

Rural community gardens

1. Traditional neighborhood-type gardens with individual and family plots;

2. Gardens that provide demonstration and education to gardeners at neighborhood

gardens and home gardens;

3. Communal gardens tended collectively with the produce going to a local food pantry;

4. Educational gardens that offer classes to the public;

5. School gardens that incorporate gardening and nutrition education;

6. Community-assisted home gardens where an experienced gardener mentors novice

gardeners in their home gardening efforts;

RESOURCES AND FUNDING FOR

GARDENS

1. Community Development

2. Community Foundations .

3. Corporate Partners

4. Donations

5. Individuals or Community Members

6. Publicity

7. Sale

8. Service Organization

9. Special events

Challenges in Community Gardening

1) ManagementCommunity gardens are management intensive. They demand patience, time and the capacity to work with and organize people and projects. They also typically require systems to enforce rules and resolve conflicts.

2) MaintenanceCommunity gardens are maintenance intensive. Grass will need to be mowed, equipment will need to be repaired, and plant debris will need to be composted, among other things.

3) ParticipationFrom year to year, gardeners and garden leaders come and go from community gardens for a variety of reasons. Because of this, it can be challenging to maintain a sense of community and consistency at gardens.

4) Theft and vandalismTheft and vandalism are commonplace at many community gardens. As a general rule, theft is the result of adult activity and vandalism is carried out by children.

Challenges in Community Gardening

1) Gardening skillsMany new and some returning gardeners don't know a lot about gardening. Gardeners who lack gardening skills and have poor gardening experiences may be more likely to give up.

2) Leadership skillsMany gardeners may not have the skills to take a leadership role at their respective garden.

3) Services and suppliesPlowing, tilling and the delivery of compost and mulch can be challenging services for gardeners to arrange for themselves.

4) WaterMost gardens need some way to irrigate fruits and vegetables during the summer. Finding a source of water can be challenging. Also, because most community gardens are located on borrowed land, installing a water hydrant may not be feasible or cost effective.

5) Site permanencyMost community gardens are located on borrowed land. This limits the amount of infrastructure that can be added to a particular site. It may also create an atmosphere of instability among gardeners since the garden could be lost at any moment.

Steps Towards Community Gardening

1. Step 1Talk with friends, neighbors and local organizations about your idea. As you talk to people, collect names and numbers of those who are interested.

2. Step 2Hold a meeting with anyone interested in the garden

The purpose of this meeting is to determine the feasibility of starting a garden, to brainstorm ideas and to address some basic questions.

3. Step 3Find and evaluate potential garden sitesGet on your bike. Go out on foot. Tour the neighborhood with friends and family and talk to your neighbors.

4. Step 4Identify local resources needed for starting a gardenGardens can require a fair amount of tools, equipment, supplies, infrastructure, knowledge and other forms of support.

5. Step 5Hold a second meeting.The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the notes from the previous meeting and hear reports from the people who volunteered to find and evaluate possible locations for a garden (Step 3) and identify local resources for starting a garden (Step 4).

Steps Towards Community Gardening

6. Step 6Draft a lease agreementIt is in everyone's best interest to have a written agreement that outlines your group's and the landlord's obligations and responsibilities and includes a "hold harmless" clause that states that the landlord is not responsible if a gardener is injured on the property. Try to negotiate a lease that enables your group to use the land for at least three years.

7. Step 7Develop a site planThe plan for your garden can be as simple or elaborate as you choose. Consider including the following elements in your plan:

A. The boundary of the lot

B. The location and size of garden beds

C. Any trees, shrubs or existing vegetation that will be kept

D. Driveways, pathways and open spaces

E. Compost bins

F. A shed

G. The location of the water source

H. Common or shared garden areas such as perennial or herb beds, a row planted for donation purposes, a picnic table with chairs, or grassy areas

I. Garden sign

J. Garden name

Steps Towards Community Gardening

8.Step 8Establish gardener guidelines and draft the gardener applicationJust as there are many types of community gardens, there are many types of gardener guidelines and gardener applications. Having clear guidelines for gardeners to follow and an application to collect their contact information will aid in your efforts to keep order among and stay in touch with gardeners.

I. For starters, let's look at some common issues that most gardener guidelines address.

II. Application or membership fee. Is there a fee to garden? How much is the fee? Is there a sliding scale? When is the fee due?

III. Plot maintenance. Is there an expectation that plots will be maintained to a certain standard? What happens if a plot is not maintained? Who decides?

IV. Garden maintenance. Are gardeners expected to volunteer for certain chores?

V. Planting restrictions. Are there restrictions on which types of plants can be grown?

VI. End of the season. Do plots need to be cleaned by a certain date at the end of the season?

VII. Composting. Which materials may and may not be composted?

VIII. Materials and tools. Are shared materials and tools available for gardeners to use? How should these items be handled and stored?

IX. Pesticides. Which pesticides are allowed?

X. Other people's plots. How should gardeners treat and respect others' gardens?

XI. Water. Can the water be left on unattended?

XII. Pets and children.

XIII. Alcohol and drugs.

XIV. Unwanted activities. How should theft, vandalism and other unwanted activities be handled and reported?

XV. Violation of garden rules. What happens if a rule is violated?

Steps Towards Community Gardening

9. Step 9Prepare and develop the siteOnce you've held the meetings, gained commitments from a number of people, selected a location, identified and assembled the resources, drafted and signed the lease, established the garden rules and made the plans, it's time do the physical work of preparing and developing your community garden.

There are many ways to go about this, and much will depend on the condition of your site. Generally, groups will schedule regular workdays to take care of the initial tilling, trimming and building projects. It is helpful if one or more people can lead various projects and coordinate equipment, supplies and volunteers.

10. Step 10Celebrate your successDon't forget to take a step back and recognize your accomplishments. Hold a garden party and invite neighbors, local businesses and organizations. Show off the work you've done, and talk to people about your plans for the future. This is a great way to gain community support for your garden.

Security and personal safety

i. Theft

ii. Know your neighbors.

iii. Harvest produce on a regular basis.

iv. Consider growing unpopular, unusual or hard-to-harvest varieties.

v. Grow more than you need.

vi. Put a border or fence around your garden or individual plots.

vii. Use common sense.

viii. Report theft, vandalism and unusual activities to garden leaders and the police.

Leadership And Community Gardens

1. Lead by example

2. Delegate work

3. Appreciate the contributions of others, regardless how large or small the contribution

4. Welcome and encourage criticism

5. Help people believe in themselves

6. Articulate and keep sight of the higher purpose

7. Avoid doing all of the work.

Team Leader Work

a) Forming a team or scheduling regular workdays to complete garden projects and maintain common areas

b) Hosting community gatherings to involve neighbors and gardeners

c) Planning winter or off-season activities or meetings

d) Drafting and enforcing garden rules

e) Seeking out funding sources

f) Developing a garden budget

g) Making sure that both gardeners and interested neighbors know how to become involved

What can happen in Community Gardens?

• Growing food – vegetables, herbs and fruit are the most common plantings and organic methods are

mostly preferred.

• Growing flowers, and other ornamental plants can also happen ‐ indigenous and/or native plants are

encouraged in some gardens.

• Keeping animals – chickens, ducks, bees etc may be kept when approved.

• Cooking and eating ‐ Community Gardeners often share their produce (eating and cooking together or

• Socialising and learning – when gardening alongside each other, relationships form and gardeners

exchange knowledge and skills.

• Arts in a public space – gardens can be a venue for performances or workshops such as mosaic making and

sculptures. Finished works can decorate the garden.

• Celebrations – special celebrations can occur at different times of year, respecting and involving nearby

residents.

• Solitude – garden design can include a secluded ‘quiet corner’ where gardeners and visitors can relax, read

be by themselves.

• Community education – gardeners may offer courses and workshops for each other and the public on skills

such as cooking, gardening, conserving water, recycling and making compost.

• Formal community support – some gardens have areas and programs designed for groups with specific

disabilities such as those in wheelchairs.

• Gardening space and services offered to schools – local schools may use or visit a Community Garden as

part of their educational program.

• Farmers markets – sometimes gardeners can sell their produce direct to the community.

• Veggie swap – local gardeners sometimes swap or trade surplus produce.

What do successful Community Gardens have in common?

i. Common vision, agreed methodologies, simple rules, management plan

ii. Gardener commitment

iii. Willingness to work together, teach and learn from each other

iv. Gardening knowledge, training available for new gardeners

v. Focus on social aspects

vi. Good communication (internal and external)

vii. Shared responsibilities, participation in decision‐making, democratic approach

viii. Strong community leadership, good management / governance processes (including grievance procedures)

ix. Funds available, reliable income stream

x. Secure quality water source

xi. Realistic financial planning

xii. Mix of age, culture, ability and skill levels (being inclusive)

xiii. Suitable location

xiv. Security of tenure, lease / licence

xv. Good garden design, good garden aesthetics

xvi. Shelter, secure storage, meeting place under cover

xvii. Positive relationships with neighbours.