Introduction to Community Gardening Community Gardening ISE July 14 and 15, 2009 Bill McKelvey - MU Extension - Healthy Lifestyle Initiative

Presentation Overview Definition History of Community Gardening Benefits Types of Community Gardens Challenges

Definition A Community Garden is “any piece of land gardened by a group of people.” (American Community Gardening Association)

The History of Community Gardening

Recent History Rebirth in the 1970s – Response to urban abandonment, inflation, environmental concerns – Focus on networking and building community

Benefits Food production/access Nutrition Exercise Mental health Community Education

Benefits Opportunities for youth Income Crime prevention Increased property values

The Community Gardening Movement Today – In Missouri Gateway Greening (St. Louis) Gateway Greening Kansas City Community Gardens Community Garden Coalition (Columbia) Community Garden Coalition Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance (Ozarks/Springfield) Well-Fed Neighbor Alliance Other towns/communities throughout the state – Nationally American Community Gardening Association Many other local organizations

Why are people taking interest today? Rediscovering the value of growing your own Social and community benefits Rising energy and food prices

Community Gardening in Context Part of larger Local/Community Food movement – Farmers’ Markets – Community Supported Agriculture – Farm to School – Direct sales to Restaurants, Grocery Stores, Corner Markets – Urban Agriculture – Front and Backyard Farming

Types of Community Gardens Neighborhood Gardens Land subdivided into plots Plots assigned to individuals, families, small groups Food grown for consumption, not market Garden managed by gardeners One or more Garden Leaders All, in theory, share in organization and upkeep

Types of Community Gardens Neighborhood Gardens Land may be rented, borrowed or owned Located on vacant lots, church property, agencies, other non-profits May incorporate educational, job training, business development programming

Other types of community gardens Youth/School Gardens

Other types of community gardens Entrepreneurial/Job Training Gardens

Other types of community gardens Communal/Collective Gardens Food Pantry or Sharing Gardens Demonstration Gardens Therapy Gardens Yard Sharing

Rural Community Gardens Don’t assume traditional Neighborhood Garden model will work – Think about incorporating other elements – demonstration, education, sharing, communal, youth – Involve existing agencies, work in partnerships – “Community assisted” home gardens – Plan but be flexible

Challenges Management Maintenance Participation Theft and Vandalism Gardening Skills Leadership Services and supplies Water Site permanency

Is this a growing movement in your region? What are you hearing from the field? What about Master Gardener enrollment? What about canning classes? What about the news? The Garden Writer’s Association Trend Survey reports that “almost half of American households with a yard or garden plan to add or expand a vegetable garden in their yard this spring or summer.” This represents a 12% increase in the past year.Garden Writer’s Association Trend Survey

Questions and Comments Community Gardening Toolkit (University of Missouri Extension Publication MP906) Community Gardening Toolkit