D EVELOPING A C OMMUNITY G ARDEN

W HO I AM …  Linda Inlow Teener  Executive Director of UFM Community Learning Center, 1221 Thurston St. Manhattan, KS (785) ;  UFM has sponsored a community garden since 1975  Manhattan Community Garden was recently recognized as the oldest community garden in Kansas

H ISTORY OF THE M ANHATTAN C OMMUNITY G ARDEN  The Manhattan Community Garden began in 1974 with a mini grant from ACTION, coordinated by UFM. Basic gardening supplies were purchased. The land was purchased by Urban Renewal and was 150 ft from the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. This space was zoned as green space for the next 20 years. No change has been made since that time.  The City and many volunteers cleared the old houses and trees from the site. A local nursery provided fertilizer and a tractor to turn the soil. The City agreed to install water meters and spigots at the site. The City agreed to donate water. A local bank donated seeds for the first year. The first year they had 60 plots planted.  A shed was donated by a developmental center and a small grant from Social Rehabilitation Services assisted during the first years. A children’s garden was added in A new shed was donated by D&R Construction in  The lease on the 3 acres of gardening space is held by UFM Community Learning Center and renewed by the City of Manhattan every five years.  Currently the Garden has 160 plots. Plot rental + a small deposit are charged on a sliding scale to cover garden expenses. A small additional fee is charged for tilling plots if desired.  The garden is governed by an elected board of gardeners + a UFM representative.

W HY C REATE A C OMMUNITY G ARDEN ?  Provides nutritious, home-grown foods  Builds community & social interaction  More cost-effective than buying produce  Beautification  Increases green space in communities  Mental and physical health

B EFORE YOU START P LANTING … Questions to Ask Is there a need for a garden? What will its purpose be? The goal for the garden will affect the process. Who will it serve? Is there a group desire to create a garden?

O BTAIN LOTS OF INPUT Get Others Involved  People the garden will impact: your church congregation, neighbors, community organizations, businesses, professionals, clubs  Talk about the garden and collect names of those who are interested  Hold an informal, informational meeting  Choose a well-balanced & well-organized planning committee  Set up additional organizational meetings

Q UESTIONS TO ASK AT THE I NITIAL M EETING  What kind of garden shall we create?  What is the garden’s purpose?  Who will it serve?  What resources do we need?  Is land available?  Will we charge a fee?

M ORE Q UESTIONS TO A SK …  Who will serve as the garden leadership?  How much time will it take to create the garden?  Who has expertise in creating a garden?  Who has time to help?  Should the group proceed with finding and evaluating a site?  Who will do this? When?

A T THE R OOTS : L AND  6 hours of full sunlight everyday  Water source  Soil texture & composition  Free of trees and excess debris  Accessibility

A T THE R OOTS : L AND  Approach the owner about leasing or buying the land  Try to get a 3+ year lease  Affordability  Liability insurance may be required

R ESOURCES FOR CREATING THE GARDEN  What will it cost to start and maintain the garden? How will we obtain these funds?  What can our group donate? Will we hold fundraisers?  Will we charge plot rent?  What community resources can we access?  Local resources include: those who will become gardeners, County Extension, Master Gardeners, Garden Clubs, other gardeners

A S AMPLE B UDGET

A T THE R OOTS : G OVERNANCE  Will there be a governing group and what will it look like?  Mission and purpose  Bylaws  Management  Rules and Guidelines

A T THE R OOTS : R ULES  Plot rental costs – set fee or sliding scale  Plant by date  Abandoning plots; reassigning plots  Excess weeds  Use of chemicals in the garden  Required volunteer hours for the general good  Watering  Use of equipment  General safety  Grievance procedures

N OW THE “ REAL ” WORK BEGINS !  Develop your site plan  Organize a work crew  Plow the land  Measure and mark plots  Assign plots  Assign maintenance jobs

F INALLY …………… L ET ’ S P LANT A GARDEN  Start Planting  Decide what to plant  Will there be general flower beds?  Do you need a vandal’s garden?  A children’s garden?

M ENTORING P ROGRAM  An opportunity for new and experienced gardeners to share knowledge & experience  Builds partnerships between gardeners  Can be both a mentor & mentee Example: You have experience in growing vegetables but want to learn about organic gardening  Matches based on mentors’ experience & mentees’ interests

T ROUBLESHOOTING  Vandalism  Structures in the garden  Angry Neighbors  Angry gardeners and unruly behavior  Violation of Rules  Use of tools and water  End of the season cleanup

C OMMUNITY G ARDEN R ESOURCES ON THE W EB  American Community Gardening Assoc: American Community Gardening Assoc:  The Community Garden Tool Kit: 6.pdf The Community Garden Tool Kit: 6.pdf  Ten Steps to Creating A Community Garden: Ten Steps to Creating A Community Garden:  ide.html ide.html  

C REATING A C OMMUNITY G ARDEN  Questions and Group Discussion