1. 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

2. Presentation Overview Introduction to the Gardeners’ Welcome Packet – part of the Community Gardening Toolkit (University of Missouri Extension Publication MP906)Community Gardening Toolkit – On-line in PDF and RTF versions

3. 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

4. Gardeners’ Welcome Packet Purpose Get organized Communicate clearly Increase gardener involvement Disclosure: The Packet does not take the place of personal communication

5. 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.

6. 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)

7. Gardeners’ Welcome Packet Contents Introduction Table of Contents Welcome to Community Gardening Success and Security at the Garden Community Garden Job Descriptions Contact List Garden Roster

8. Gardeners’ Welcome Packet Contents Garden Map Calendar FAQs Gardener Guidelines Gardener Application MU Extension Resources for Planting, Harvesting, Composting, Pests, Disease

9. Introduction Written to garden leaders and organizers Explains how the Welcome Packet works Written to gardeners Brief introduction Table of Contents

10. Welcome to Community Gardening Responsibilities of community gardening Rewards of community gardening

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. Community Garden Job Descriptions 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

14. Contact List for Garden Jobs Job Name(s) Phone Email Name Phone Email Plot # Garden Roster

15. Garden Map

16. Calendar Annual Meeting Spring Registration Opening Day Garden Work Parties Closing Day Workshops Social Events Garden Tour

17. 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?

18. 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?

19. Gardener Guidelines Application Membership Fee Plot Maintenance Garden Maintenance Planting Restrictions End of Season Composting Materials and Tools Pesticides Other people’s plots Water Pets and Children Alcohol and Drugs Unwanted Activities Violation of Garden Rules

20. Gardener Application Basic contact information Sign up for garden job/crew Procedure for dealing with violations Photo permission Phone and email list permission Hold harmless clause

21. MU Extension Resources for Planting, Harvesting, Composting, Pests, Disease Links to MU Extension Publications

22. 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 573-882-3273McKelveyWA@missouri.edu Thank you.