What Does It Take To Setup And Run A Community Garden?

Community Garden is somewhat like any garden but not only much bigger but more complex. It almost has to be thought of more on an actual farm basis than an individual or private garden. Of course where a commercial farm relies on hired help, a community garden uses volunteers and members to get the work done.

 The amount of work involved in setting up and operating a community garden is astounding and can even be overwhelming at times. Below is a partial list of what is involved. This list is in no way meant to be Complete. Each main idea can and will probably trigger more questions, so I’ve just put in an assortment of ways to carry out the idea presented; Each garden is as unique as those who garden there.

 

I’m not putting this list up to scare away anyone but to simply give our readers an idea of how much help is needed. It’s a combined effort and like all big efforts, when broken down into it smaller parts and the work spread out over a large number of workers, it all comes together. I ask our readers to pray and seek the Lord’s guidance in what area He may be leading you.

 

Don’t forget our February meeting on the 10^th. Complete details can be found on the Announcement Page.

 

1.         Community garden checklist -

2.         What is the goal of the community garden

3.         Planning the garden

A.         Involve your neighbors

B.         Determine the garden’s vision

C.         Organizational considerations

D.         Organizing volunteers

E.         Job duties to consider

F.         Creating positive community relations

G..        Garden safety

1G.       Site design can promote safety

2G.       Involving the community can promote safety

3G.       How plants can help promote safety

4G.       Incorporating neighbors into the garden

 

4A.       Choosing your site

A.         Site considerations

B.         Minimum of 6 hours of sunlight

C.         Access to water

D.         Knowledge of past and current use of the land

E.         Soil tests

F.         Size and location of site

G.         Other items to consider

4B.       Securing the site

A.         Permission of the land owner

B.         Cost considerations

C.         Insurance

 

5.         Budget

A.         Developing the budget

B.         Sample budget

C.         Cutting costs

 

6A.       Cultivate your site

A.         Prepare the site

B.         Develop the site

6B.       Design your garden

A.         Plot size

B.         Garden design

C.         Compost area

D.         Gather resources

 

7.         Manage your garden

A.         Developing garden guidelines

B.         Communication of guidelines

C.         Managing your garden

D.         Garden expectations

E.         Consequences

F.         Garden celebrations

 

8A.       Health & safety in the garden

A.         Policies

B.         Children

C.         Construction

D.         Hold harmless

 

8B.       Equipment safety

A.         Storage

B.         Tool use

C.         Power tools

D.         Physical hazards

E.         Personal safety

F.         Chemical hazards

 

9.         Food recovery

 

10.        Sustaining your garden / evaluation

A.         Management

B.         Fundraising

C.         Recruiting new gardeners

D.         Grants

E.         Evaluation