Lucy  Bradley,  Ph.D.  Urban  Horticulture  Specialist  NCSU  Cooperative  Extension  

 Joni  Torres  

Community  Garden  Technician  Pitt  County  Cooperative  Extension  

 Maggie  Castor  

Community  Gardener  

�  Health     Increase  levels  of  physical  activity     Increase  consumption  of  vegetables     Reduce  stress    

   Community  Development     Share  resources  and  skills     Beautify  and  improve  neighborhoods     Build  and  strengthen  a  community     Make  new  friends    

�  Personal  Development     Save  money  on  food  costs     Learn  new  skills     Increase  knowledge  

�  Gather  a  group  of    10  committed  people,  assign  jobs  and  meet  to  report  on  progress.    �  Talk  to  community  members  to  grow  support.    �  Determine  garden  needs:  find  a  site,  test  soil,  secure  water  source.    �  Hold  a  public  meeting  to  recruit  gardeners  and  begin  design  process.  

�  Establish  a  garden  committee  and  develop  guidelines  �  Identify  and  reach  out  to  local  resources  �  Talk  to  other  community    gardens.  �  Find  a  garden  coordinator  

   Create  subcommittees     Fundraising     Maintenance     Outreach     Volunteer  coordination    

�  Individual  talents  and  skills  within  your  group.     Fund  raisers,    building  skills,    computer  skills,  gardening  knowledge,  good  organizers  etc.  

�  Associations     Civic  groups,    neighborhood  associations,  garden  clubs,  etc.  

�  Institutions     Local  government  agencies,    colleges,  medical  centers,    

�  Land  and  buildings     Parks,  community  centers,  churches,  schools,  recreational  centers  

�  Local  economy     Nursery,  garden  center,  hardware  stores,  newspaper,  radio  station  

 

�  County  Board  of  Health  �  Cooperative  Extension  Service  �  Soil  and  Water  Conservation  �  County  Planning  Department  �  County  Engineering  Department  �  Schools  and  Recreation  �  Senior  Center  �  Board  of  Education  �  Public  Information  Services  �  Local  Hospital  Foundation  

�  Soil  test-­‐  for  heavy  metals,  pH,  fertility  �  Irrigation  –  hoses,  watering  cans,  wands  �   Tool  storage  –shed  or  deck  box  �  Tilling  costs  �  Soil  amendments  

   Lime,  compost,  manure,  mulch  �  Equipment  

    hand  tools,  shovels,  rakes,  hoe,       garden  fork,  pitch  fork,       wheelbarrow,  buckets     Hammer,  string  and  stakes     Tape  measure  (100  foot)      

�  Sign  �  Fence  

 

�  Find  a  Sponsor  

�  Reduce  your  needs  -­‐  Budget     $1,000  -­‐  $5,000  startup     $1,000/year  on-­‐going  

�  Seek  In-­‐Kind  donations  

�  Raise  money     Donations     Events     Grants     Sales     Dues  

�  Tell  your  story  –  Evaluation,  Annual  Report  

� Safe  &  Convenient  � 6-­‐8  hours  of  direct    sun  � Access  to  affordable  water  � Well  drained  site  � Soil  is  not  contaminated  � Available  for  at  least  5  years  � Available  parking  � Existing  Condition      (weeds,  trash,  fire  ants,etc)  

�  Individual  or  communal  plots?  � Plot  size?  � Tool  shed  location  � Composting  area  � Shelter/gathering  space  � Restroom  facilities  � Fencing  

       Welcome  garden  is  main  entry  point  for  gardeners  and  visitors  and  serves  as  a  home  for  beneficial  insects.    �  Separate  areas  for  organic  and  non-­‐organic  gardeners  �   Plot  size  4’  x  20’  �  4’  paths  between  beds  �  8’  paths  in  central  areas  �  Central  location  of  children’s  garden  and  gathering  space  � Multiple  locations  for  compost  bins  and  tools  �  Area  for  bulk  delivery  is  accessible  to  trucks  �  8’  tall  fence  to  keep  out  deer  and  other  wildlife  

Cooperation  with  all  gardeners  and  a  general  respect  for  others’  space  is  appreciated.  Please  read  each  of  these  rules  carefully  as  you  will  be  asked  to  sign  an  agreement  and  to  abide  by  them.  

 *No  animals  allowed    *No  weeds  going  to  seed    *Stay  within  your  boundaries  of  your  plot,  as  established                  by  the  Garden  Coordinator  at  the  beginning  of  the        season    *Don’t  shade  or  water  anyone  else’s  area  

                         *  Do  not  harvest  from  someone  else’s  plot    *Keep  your  space  neat  and  clean  and  remove  trash  from        site    *Turn  off  the  water  and  put  hoses  back  when  finished    *Compost  bins  are  for  compost  only  

                 

_________Community  Garden  and  all  project  volunteers  shall  be  held  free  from  any  liability  for  any  personal  injuries  or  damage  to  property  resulting  from  your  participation  in  the  _______  Community  Garden.    Gardeners  must  sign  their  agreement  to  follow  guidelines  and  the  hold  harmless  clause.    

Standard  Business  Policy    Get  added  to  church  or  other  non  profit’s  coverage      (lower  cost)  General  liability  2,000,000/limit  1,000,000/occurrence  

   Bodily  damage     Property  damage  This  would  cover  all  gardeners  and  visitors                      (make  sure  volunteers  are  covered)  v Medical  $5000/person/yr  

v Name  location  of  garden    if  it  is  at  a  different  site  

�  Set  Garden  Guidelines  (organic,  pesticide  free,  low  toxic)  allow  flexibility    �  Develop  a  packet  of  information  for  gardeners    �  Hold  workshops  based  on  gardener’s  needs  and  interests.  

�  Lots  of  great  resources     See  resource    links  

�  Plan  Events  and  Educational  Opportunities     Invite  the  general  public  

�  Create  a  communication  network:        email,  website,  newsletter,  bulletin  board,  phone  tree,    etc.  

Mid April Planting Day Warm season crops (tomatoes, squash, green beans, sweet corn)

June/July Open House Workday the weekend before

Aug Clean Up Day Weeds

Aug-Sept Planting Day Fall and/or cover crops Harvest Meal

�  Celebrate  special  events.    Share  food  and  recipes.  �  Incorporate  the  garden  into  community  life.  �  Look  for  opportunities  to  grow  and  change.  �  Share  what  you  learn.  

�  NC  State  Community  Gardening  Website  http://nccommunitygarden.ncsu.edu/    �  Eat  Smart  Move  More  Community  Gardening  Publication  http://nccommunitygarden.ncsu.edu/primer.html    �  How  to  Organize  an  Allotment  Community  Garden  http://cals.ncsu.edu/hort_sci/extension/documents/ag-­‐727.pdf    �  NC  Community  Garden  Partners  http://www.facebook.com/NCCGP    �  NC  Cooperative  Extension  Horticulture  Publications  http://cals.ncsu.edu/hort_sci/extension/extension-­‐publications.php    

�  Minimizing  Risks  of  Urban  Contaminants  in  Urban  Gardens  http://cals.ncsu.edu/hort_sci/extension/documents/AG-­‐439-­‐78.pdf    �  Let’s  Move  Faith  Based  Communities  http://www.hhs.gov/partnerships/resources/Pubs/lets_move_toolkit.pdf    �  Gardening  calendar  for  Eastern  North  Carolina  http://pender.ces.ncsu.edu/files/library/71/VegPlantingGuide.pdf    �  Gardening  Calendar  for  Central  North  Carolina  http://cals.ncsu.edu/hort_sci/extension/documents/AG-­‐756.pdf  

�  Missouri  Community  Gardening  tool-­‐kit  with  forms  etc.  http://extension.missouri.edu/explorepdf/miscpubs/mp0906.pdf    �  Food  safety  in  the  community  garden.  http://g.virbcdn.com/_f/files/0c/FileItem-­‐259929-­‐FoodSafetyWebCurriculum.pdf    

 

www.facebook.com/NCCGP

NC

CG

P.or

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In  2008  –  There  were  an  estimated  173  million  Christians  in  the  US  and  almost  9  million  people  of  other  faiths.      Captive  audience    Willing  to  help  others    

Source:  http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/2012/tables/12s0075.pdf  

 

 �  Invite  various  groups,  associations,  and  people  in  your  congregation  or  community  to  help  start  the  garden.    �   Involve  young  people  as  participants  in  the  garden.      �  Consider  devoting  a  portion  of  the  garden  to  members  of  youth  after  school  groups.  

Source:      http://www.hhs.gov/partnerships/resources/Pubs/lets_move_toolkit.pdf  

�  1.  Prayer  first.    �  2.Identify  who  in  your  Parish  is  interested  in  gardening,  as  well  as  the  community  that  your  Parish  resides  in.  There  is  strength  in  Unity.    �  3.  Prayer  before  all  activities  will  help  make  miraculous  things  happen,  and  expect  things  to  happen  in  “God’s  time”.    �  4.  Seek  out  donations  of  labor  and  supplies  from  your  congregation’s  members.  Source:http://g.virbcdn.com/_f/files/e1/FileItem-­‐259582-­‐Howtostartafaithbasedcommunitygarden2.pdf  

 To  help  unify  our  local  community  since  food  is  our  neighborhood  commonality.  

   We  will  accomplish  this  by  improving  our  local  food  sources  and  by  empowering  people  to  feed  themselves  with  self-­‐grown,  nutritious  and  affordable  food.    Source:    http://g.virbcdn.com/_f/files/e1/FileItem-­‐259582-­‐Howtostartafaithbasedcommunitygarden2.pdf  

�  Schedule  group  projects,  workdays,  and  garden  pot  lucks  and  include  garden  prayers  services  as  an  essential  component.  The  good  Lord  does  better  work  that  we  do—keep  the  faith!    �  Plan  Church  community  workdays  to  complete  large  projects,  such  as  the  actual  construction  of  the  garden,  irrigation  system,  or  even  a  shed.    �  Enlist  the  additional  groups  from  the  church,  such  as  youth  groups,  boy  scouts,  social  ministry,  ladies  guilds,  etc.    Source:  http://g.virbcdn.com/_f/files/e1/FileItem-­‐259582-­‐Howtostartafaithbasedcommunitygarden2.pdf  

�  Is  a  great  “unity  project”  that  also  provides  your  church  community  with  an  abundance  of  healthy  and  affordable  fresh  food.    

�  Food  is  our  neighborhood  commonality…      �  Start  a  faith-­‐based  garden  today,  and  help  unify  your  community!      Source:    http://g.virbcdn.com/_f/files/e1/FileItem-­‐259582-­‐Howtostartafaithbasedcommunitygarden2.pdf  

�  Clear  statement  of  process  in  guidelines  

�  Contact  gardener  to  see  if  they  need  help  

�  Reassign  plot  quickly  

�  Plant  cover  crop  or  designate  as  shared  plot  

�  Clear  statement  in  agreement  

�  Strong  maintenance  committee    �  Assign  all  plots,  or  plant  cover  crops  

� Mulch  

� Manage  abandoned  plots  quickly  

�  Don’t  allow  the  weeds  to  form  seeds  

�  Recruit  neighbors  to  participate  

�  Build  positive  relationship    �  Keep  garden  looking  good  

�  Listen  &  Respect    �  Be  considerate  –sound,  dust,  parking  

� Model  respect,  compassion,  humor  

�  Build  peace  into  guidelines  

�  Design  garden  to  minimize  conflict     Wide  pathways     Group  organic  gardeners  together  

�  Act  quickly  to  resolve  differences  

�  Encourage  shared  responsibility  

�  Support  delegating,  mentoring  

�  Build  democratic  process  

�  Create  structure  

�  Have  clear  guidelines    �  Harvest    frequently  

�  Recruit  support  of  neighbors,  police  

�  You-­‐pick  garden    &  sharing  basket  outside  fence  

�  Signs  

�  Plant  root  crops  and  unusual  varieties  along  fence  

�  Secure  furniture  with  cables  

�  Paint  tools  bright  colors  

�  Keep  garden  clean  –  lines  of  sight  open  

�  Define  boundaries  

�  Act  quickly  to  repair  damage  

is  the    community.