1 / 26

Essentials for Starting a Community Garden

Essentials for Starting a Community Garden. Montana Office of Rural Health Initiative Montana State University Extension Service. Featured Panelists.

ashanti
Download Presentation

Essentials for Starting a Community Garden

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Essentials for Starting a Community Garden Montana Office of Rural Health Initiative Montana State University Extension Service

  2. Featured Panelists Toby Day, Extension Horticulture Specialist, Montana State UniversityAlice Burchak, Shelby Community Gardens, Extension Agent, Toole County Virgil Dupuis, Extension Director, Salish/Kootenai College Kendra Byrom, Growing Community Project Supervisor, Helena Marguerite Jodry, Americorps VISTA Jackson’s Garden, Sheridan.

  3. Shelby Community Garden

  4. Shelby Community Garden

  5. Shelby Community Garden

  6. Shelby Community Garden

  7. Jackson’s Garden: Introduction • Sheridan, MT • Population 759 • +13% living below poverty line • Traditional agricultural community • 8.5 acres and all equipment and tools donated in 2010 • Communally maintained vegetable and flower gardens, and small apple orchard • 12 Core Members, many community volunteers

  8. AERO – Building Community Gardens in Montana http://www.aeromt.org

  9. Who’s in Charge of the Community Garden? • Leader or Group? • Start a Planning committee • Identify Additional Stakeholders • Getting Community Feedback and Support • Hold Informational Meetings • Approach a Sponsor • Publicity and Outreach • Communication

  10. What is the Community Garden’s Purpose? • Individuals Use, Food Bank, Farmer’s Market? • Who does the Food/Flowers go to? • Food Shares • School Lunch Programs • Plant a Row for the Hungry? • Communication/Regular Meetings

  11. Is the Community Garden Organic? • Being Organic and Using Best Organic Practices are Two Different Things… • Certified Organic • Setting Boundaries Before They Become Issues • What kind of Pest Control Options are Acceptable? • Communication/Regular Meetings

  12. Finding the Right Site For Your Garden • City, County, Private? • Evaluate Your Land • Test the Soil • Choose the Site • Communicate with the Landowner • Lease Agreements and Use Agreements • Donated vs. Public Land • Insurance • Underground Power/Water/Gas?

  13. Water Availability • Fee or Free? • Where is the Source? • Is the Water Source Reliable? • Cost • Have the Water Tested

  14. What about Parking, Maintenance and Security? • Lighting, Garden Hours, Critters, Theft… • Fencing – it costs more than you think • Lighting • Hours of Operation • Parking • Handicap Accessible • Gates/Locks/Codes • Communication/Regular Meetings

  15. Tools/Machinery/Services • Will They be Purchased or Donated and How Will They be Maintained? • Storage and Security • Loan Programs • Keeping Tools in Good Working Order • Communication/Regular Meetings

  16. Staffing the Community Garden • How to Manage the Garden • Garden Guidelines • Education • Vandalism • Scheduling • Written and Signed Guidelines • Retaining Volunteers • Communication/Regular Meetings

  17. Funding the Garden • Donations • Membership/Dues • Grants • Identify Additional Stakeholders • Getting Community Feedback and Support • Hold Informational Meetings • Approach a Sponsor • Publicity and Outreach

  18. Thanks for Participating Contacts Information: Toby Day (406) 994-6523 toby.day@montana.edu Virgil Dupuis (406) 275-4899 virgil_dupuis@skc.edu Alice Burchak (406) 424-8350 aburchak@montana.edu Marguerite Jodry (406) 596-0492 marguerite.jodry@gmail.com Kendra Byrom (406) 495-0497 kbyrom@weelempowers.org

More Related