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Is anyone involved in a community veg garden?

16 years ago

Hey all

I have been asked to explore the possibility of starting a Community Vegetable Garden here in my home town. The township will provide the land and the work wil be done on a volunteer bases. Can anyone share their experiences?

Alexa

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Comments (10)

lpinkmountain
16 years ago
That's actually one of the things I do for my job, work on community gardening projects. We actually just had a weekend long workshop on it in November, wish I had known you were interested, it was a great workshop. I'll keep you posted on any other events. I can say this, it is much more about people than plants. You need a good core team of movers and shakers to keep it going. Below is a link to the American Community Gardening Association, that sponsored the workshop. They have tons of stuff on their Web site about getting started.

I also just signed up for a community gardening plot of my own. Around here, most of the gardens are sponsored by non-profits, some with help from municipalities. There are two or three sponsored by Lehigh County, which has the one I am trying to get into. I know a lot of the townships are starting to get interested. All I can say is get together a good team of folks who are motivated and either have the right connections to get things done, or are willing to make them. Community gardens are a fun labor of love though.

Here is a link that might be useful: American Community Gardening Association
doucanoe
16 years ago
Cool link, Lpink. I wish there was a community garden in my area. Lord knows I have not been successful trying to grow vegetables in the woods! LOL

Linda
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Hi I work with community gardens in urban areas, so I may be able to help some. (Perhaps I'm a hipster too!) First off, please visit the American Community Gardening Association web site, and please join ACGA. They are a clearinghouse of information on developing and maintaining community gardens. From my own professional experience, here is my advice. But remember this, they key is to engage and empower the people directly involved with the garden and all stages of its development. The best way to get neighborhood residents involved is through personal contact. Start talking to your neighbors, and get to know neighborhood residents where they gather, such as libraries, community centers, parks, anywhere. The average person doesn't know what a 'community' garden is. However, many are very interested in the idea of turning a vacant lot into a garden where they can grow veggies, flowers and herbs. See if you can get at least 2-3 persons interested and get their names and numbers. Ask them to ask the people they know in the neighborhood if they would be interested in a garden. 2. See if there is a community gardening organization in your area. Start by contacting your local County Extention Service. They will be able to direct you to any local community gardening groups who might be able to help you. These groups sometimes provide help with community organizing, acquistion of land, rototilling, seeds and plants, etc. 3. Plan a public meeting including the people you have already recruited and anyone they would like to bring. Advertise the meeting with flyers in public places, and in people's mail boxes. Hold the meeting at a local library, community center, etc. ACGA has a great slide show about community gardening that can be borrowed and shown at the meeting, if you wish. Don't be too upset if a lot of people don't show up for the meeting. The critical factor here is the # of people you have personally recruited. See if you can find one person (must be a person from the neighborhood) who can be the 'assistant' leader. 3. Contact the city, and find out who owns the land on the lot you would like to use. Then get permission to use it. Try and get a committment for at least 3 years. If the city owns the land, they will often 'lease' it for $1 per year. 4. Organize a 'work day' with those interested and clean up trash on the lot. Ask a couple of local business to donate something for the garden--donuts, drinks for snacks for the volunteers, garbage bags for clean-up, work gloves, etc. Make it fun! Anyone who happens by as you are working, tell them what is happening, and ask them if they want to get involved or to have a garden. These are the first steps. What happens next depends upon how these first four steps turn out. Being a college educated person, very hip as you are, remember that many people who live in low-income neighborhoods cannot relate to the hipster thing, so you need to be REALLY down-to-earth, and count on neighborhood residents to eventually take the lead in this whole process. I have found 3 basic types of persons in urban neighborhoods, when it comes to the idea of gardening. 1. Those who have absolutely no interest in gardening, or whether it exists at all. 2. Those who have little or no gardening experience, have little clue what it's all about, but could become VERY interested if asked to participate, or if they see a successful gardening project in action. 3. Those who are thrilled at the opportunity of having a garden that they can become involved in in their neighborhood. I am confident that the above 3 types, and gradations (+) and (-), exist in every neighborhood. You are doing a wonderful thing. I wish you the best of luck. Gardens Revitalize Our World! (GROW) Shelly Here is a link that might be useful: American Community Gardening Association
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dirtgirl07
16 years ago
Alexa, they just started one last year here in Alpharetta (subs of Atlanta). It was so popular that they're expanding it next year. I loved the concept and was going to participate but when I went for a closer look, they had placed it in a high traffic spot with little protection from people just 'helping themselves'. It is only $50 for us to participate and I'll have to decide soon.

Don't know if these sites would be of much interest or help:

www.localharvest.org = a site I visit that tells me of participating community gardens and how to buy from them; and

www.nrdc.org/health/foodmiles = a site that tells me the nearest place/farm I can purchase local grown fruits and vegetables.

Will look forward to hearing more responses and to hear how it goes for you.

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susie_que
16 years ago
I belonged to one a few years back.
Benjamin Rush Community Garden.

It was fun-the only reason I gave my plot up was that my hours picked up...however my oldest Brother was elected to run it which he did for several year.

I am sure he would answer any questions you have.

Cheers!
Susie
User
16 years ago
My sister belongs to one and loves it. The town provides the land and water. Each plot "owner" pays a specific amount per season for the land they use, quite cheap.

As an "owner" she is able to get seed, fertilizer, etc at very good prices through the co-op.

She actually met her current "Mr Right" becasue of community gardening. He has the plot next to hers. A union made in heaven.....
ghoghunter
16 years ago
Alexa,
I would love to belong to a community garden. I saw the one in Langhorne and tried to get a plot there but they never called me back. Let me know how it works out for you. I wish Falls Township would start one!
Joann
loagiehoagie
16 years ago
I hope this idea really expands. I don't belong to a community garden, but I know that the idea is catching on and it should. As I drive by churches with big lawns I always think "Why don't they get the parishioners together and grow a garden...they could call it "Grow with God" or something to that effect and feed not only needy members but contribute to food banks and at the same time grow comraderie amongst the church members.

I have heard of some community gardens where after all the hard work thiefs come in and strip the produce bare. That has always disheartened me and as much as I would love to have another plot of earth to work ...that would be devastating.

I have been in contact with a local farm 30 minutes away that will rent farm land for a nominal fee and actually sell the produce through not only their farm-stand but through a CSA as well. I want to do it so bad, not just for the money, that is secondary, but for the sheer joy of bringing fresh, locally grown organic food into peoples kitchens. My problem is my pet sitting business is extremely busy during the summer months and I don't know how I would find the time...but I may try this year. If I ever hit the lottery I would buy a small farm of my own. What a great feeling it is to grow your own food! It is good for the mind, body and soul.

Duane
pkramer60
16 years ago
There are none in my area of Chicago, but more in the city. I wish they would do something like that here, as there are a number of vacant lots, owned by a little old lady they tell me. She won't sell or allow it. Its a shame, they are nice and sunny. It would be great to involve some schools or senoirs from the center near me too.

My veggie plot is outside my garden in the alley, by the garage. Technically it is city property, but I fenced it off a bit. Very few people help themselves while walking through to the train or with the dog. But when I work out there and they stop to talk, I will hand them excess toms and cukes.
lpinkmountain
16 years ago
There is a church youth group in our area that has a community garden called "Gardens of Giving." I really wonder about some of these churches with huge bare spots of property out in suburbia, there is so much they could do with that land, from gardens to nature walks to playgrounds for their kids. I know some do a lot.
hawk307
16 years ago
lPink:
Haven't done that since Victory Gardens. Guess you don't know what they be.???
Sounds like a good, worth while, venture.

I'm into enough Volunteer work right now, with the Troops.

Duane:
I think the thieves would have a problem here.
We're running low on moving targets.
Lou

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