Why should local governments
be involved with community
greening efforts?
What is a Community Garden?
School Gardens &
Summer Youth Gardens
Correctional Facilities
Neighborhood Associations
Ethnic Gardens
Shelters
Low income housing
providers
Day Cares
Community Centers
Benefits of Community
Gardens
• Community development
• Low cost, nutritious,
culturally appropriate food
• Beautification
• Food security
• Education
• Therapy
• Decrease crime
Defining Your Role
Resources from DSM
Parks & Recreation
Department
• Project planning and coordination
• Sprouts newsletter – share tips and
local resources
• Spring Education Classes
• On-site support
• Networking with other agencies
• Publicity
• Donation events – Perennial Divide
• Tilling and compost hauling
• Land – sometimes….
• Plant material and other supplies
Local Partners
• Extension Agency
– Master gardeners, 4-H, nutritionists, publications,
curriculum
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Garden clubs
Neighborhood groups
Community services/social services
Department of Public Health
Tool Lending Library
Water Department
Artists
Landscape designers
Businesses
National Resources
National Gardening
Association’s Youth
Garden Grant
American Community
Gardening Association
Community Food
Security Coalition
Funding Opportunities
1st - Map your assets!!!
2nd – Integrate into
operational budget
3rd – Look for grants,
donors
CDBG
USDA Food Security Grants
Garden Clubs
University - Extension
Individual donors
Goals: Beautification
Neighborhood Flower Program
Des Moines’ Annual
Great Perennial Divide
May & September
This spring, help renew and beautify
Des Moines by donating plants to
community groups who plan, plant and
maintain community vegetable and
ornamental gardens.
Goals: Food Security & Nutrition
Digging Deeper
9 Perennial Edible Landscapes
House of Mercy
St. Mary’s Family Center
Door of Faith Shelter
King School
Orchard Place
Capitol Park Neighborhood Association
Drake Park
Franklin Community Garden
Perennial Edible
Landscapes
Community Planning –
develop a master plan
Training
Planting Logistics
On-going maintenance
Long-term educational
needs
Goals: Education
Goals: Community Development
Parent Involvement
Tips in Starting a
Community Garden
• Start small! Think long-term.
• At least 10 committed people
• Build on diversity, garden reflects
diversity, notice who’s missing
• Respond to non-gardening needs
• Build on the community’s own
ideas and priorities
• Balance product with process
• Build relationships
• Everyone works!
Tips in Starting a
Community Garden
• Small hoops, no bureaucracy –
develop effective application
process
• Offer training and technical
assistance
• Create education materials
• Include nutrition education
• Evaluate
Call me!
Teva Dawson
Des Moines Parks &
Recreation
515/323-8907
TLDawson@dmgov.org