How does this thing work?
Improving Communication and Enhancing Involvement
at your Community Garden
Bill McKelvey - MU Extension – Healthy Lifestyle Initiative
Community Gardening ISE
July 14 and 15, 2009
Presentation Overview
• Introduction to the Gardeners’ Welcome
Packet – part of the Community Gardening
Toolkit (University of Missouri Extension
Publication MP906)
– On-line in PDF and RTF versions
Gardeners’ Welcome Packet
What is it?
• A tool for creating written materials
that explain how your community
garden operates and how
gardeners can be involved
• Electronic format that can be
revised to suit your needs
Gardeners’ Welcome Packet
Purpose
• Get organized
• Communicate clearly
• Increase gardener involvement
Disclosure: The Packet does not take the place of
personal communication
Gardeners’ Welcome Packet
Foundation – Core Beliefs
1. “Community” is the most important word
in community garden.
2. There are many ways to start and manage
a community garden.
3. In order for a garden to be sustainable as
a true community resource, it must grow
from local conditions and reflect the
strengths, needs and desires of the local
community.
Gardeners’ Welcome Packet
Foundation – Core Beliefs
4. Diverse participation and leadership, at all
phases of garden operation, enrich and
strengthen a community garden.
5. Each community member has something to
contribute.
6. Gardens are communities in themselves, as
well as being a part of a larger community.
(CB #1 from Mark Winne, Closing the Food Gap; CB #2-6 from Growing
Communities Curriculum)
Gardeners’ Welcome Packet
Contents
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Introduction
Table of Contents
Welcome to Community Gardening
Success and Security at the Garden
Community Garden Job Descriptions
Contact List
Garden Roster
Gardeners’ Welcome Packet
Contents
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Garden Map
Calendar
FAQs
Gardener Guidelines
Gardener Application
MU Extension Resources for Planting,
Harvesting, Composting, Pests, Disease
Introduction
• Written to garden leaders and organizers
• Explains how the Welcome Packet works
Table of Contents
• Written to gardeners
• Brief introduction
• Table of Contents
Welcome to Community Gardening
• Responsibilities of community gardening
• Rewards of community gardening
Success and Security at the
Community Garden
• Success
– Plan to visit your garden two to three times a
week during the growing season.
– Attend scheduled meetings and workdays.
– Make friends with other gardeners.
– Volunteer for a garden job or committee.
– Educate yourself.
Success and Security at the
Community Garden
• Security
– Know your neighbors.
– Harvest produce on a regular basis.
– Consider growing unpopular, unusual, or hard to
harvest varieties.
– Grow more than you need.
– Put a boarder or fence around your plot.
– Use common sense.
– Report theft, vandalism and unusual activities to
garden leaders and the police.
Community Garden Job Descriptions
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Garden Co-Leaders
Plot Coordinator
Grounds Crew
Maintenance Crew
Supply Crew
Composting Crew
Events Crew
Treasurer
• Communications Crew
• Outreach and
Community Relations
• Horticulture Advisors
• Monitors
• Security
• Translation
• Leadership Team
Contact List for Garden Jobs
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Job
Name(s)
Phone
Email
Garden Roster
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Name
Phone
Email
Plot #
Garden Map
Calendar
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Annual Meeting
Spring Registration
Opening Day
Garden Work Parties
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Closing Day
Workshops
Social Events
Garden Tour
Frequently Asked Questions
• How much does it cost to garden here?
• What kinds of tools, equipment and supplies
are available at the garden?
• Can I leave a sprinkler or soaker hose “on” if
I am not at the garden?
• What do I have to do stay in good standing
with the garden?
• Can I bring fruit and vegetable scraps from
home to compost in the bins at the garden?
Frequently Asked Questions
How are plot sizes determined?
How many plots can I get?
Is this an organic garden?
Who do I contact for gardening advice?
How much time should I expect to spend at
the garden?
• What should I do if I experience or see theft
or vandalism?
• What should I do if I am threatened or
harassed at the garden?
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Gardener Guidelines
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Application
Membership Fee
Plot Maintenance
Garden Maintenance
Planting Restrictions
End of Season
Composting
Materials and Tools
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Pesticides
Other people’s plots
Water
Pets and Children
Alcohol and Drugs
Unwanted Activities
Violation of Garden
Rules
Gardener Application
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Basic contact information
Sign up for garden job/crew
Procedure for dealing with violations
Photo permission
Phone and email list permission
Hold harmless clause
MU Extension Resources for
Planting, Harvesting, Composting,
Pests, Disease
• Links to MU Extension Publications
Where can you find the Gardeners’
Welcome Packet?
http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/Disp
layPub.aspx?P=MP906
Contact Bill McKelvey with questions or
suggestions at McKelveyWA@missouri.edu or
573-882-3273
Thank you.