IDENTIFYING THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE COMMUNITY GARDEN MOVEMENT

1. IDENTIFYING THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE COMMUNITY GARDEN MOVEMENT GROWING URBAN GARDENS IN ELGIN

2. National Trend Going back to our “Roots” Elgin is leading the area in the movement toward locally grown food, building community gardens, and promoting awareness of healthy eating and growing your own food. 5 gardens in 2010 Rooted and Grew to……. 15 gardens in 2011 Which Blossomed into…… 21 gardens in 2012

3. Fit for Kids Grant Provided Start-Up 2011 – Received $10,000 Grant • City Parks and Recreation Department partnered with ECGN to obtain the grant • established new gardens and • provided training for all • 15 gardens received support 2012 – Received another $10,000 Grant • Provided more training to site managers and volunteers to make the gardens sustainable in the future • Start-up support for new gardens

4. Growing list of Participating Partners • Elgin Climate Change Organization • Elgin Community Network • Elgin Firefighters Local 439 • Elgin Public Museum • Elgin Farmers’ Market • Kane County Public Health Department • Klein’s Farm and Garden Market • Gail Borden Library • City of Elgin

5. Benefits of Community Gardens Educates our Youth • Classes throughout the summer Feeds the Hungry • In 2010 – 240 lbs. of food were distributed • In 2011 – 668 lbs. of food distributed Volunteers Sweat Equity • Volunteer hours - $11,645 value as of October 2011

6. How can the City of Elgin be supportive? Can we help turn this… …into this?

7. Idle land into community Gardens….. • New York City Green Thumb Program • Portland Community Garden Program • Seattle P-Patch Community Garden Program • Chicago Community Gardens • Baltimore’s Green Space • Madison Wisconsin • Project Grow -Ann Arbor MODELS IN OTHER CITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES:

8. Weighing the pros and cons…. Why say “no”? • Gardens might not be maintained • Insurance Liabilities • Water Accessibility • Discourages development • “Squatters rights” issues later on

9. Weighing the pros and cons…. Why say “yes”? • Decreases the need for city maintenance • Helps clear empty lots of debris and litter • Gardens facilitate neighborhood engagement • Helps reinforce the city’s sustainability initiatives • Fosters healthy eating habits and exercise • Provides support to local community groups at no cost to the city • Provides apartment dweller a place to grow their own food

10. Elgin’s Pilot Plan….. • Find a neighborhood in need • Identify suitable city owned lots • Gather stakeholders together • Determine who will be the lead 501c3 organization

11. Program Introduced in 2012 New City Gardens Lease Program • Vacant city-owned lots not planned for development in the near future, putting idle land to good use • Modeled after other city’s programs • Saves cost of mowing and maintaining • License agreement available for $10 per year- 3 year lease extension • Available to Not-for-Profit Groups, churches, civic groups or neighborhood associations

12. Program Introduced in 2012 New City Gardens Lease Program Requirements • Leasing organization must be an Elgin area not-for-profit • Must sign an agreement outlining terms and conditions • Organization must have insurance policy of at least $1 million naming the city as co-insured • Leasing organization may not build any permanent structures on the property • Must maintain the site in accordance with city codes and ordinances • Licensee is responsible for the cost to run a water supply line and water service to the property • Agreement can be renewed for successive three year terms

13. Designing a Trial Project….. City’s Goal: • Identify a neighborhood that would benefit • Find sponsor organization that will oversee the maintenance and be willing to be the leasing body • Engage local leaders, residents and children in planning • Clearly define responsibilities and roles • Create a tool to strengthen neighborhood and family relationships • Assure the process is simple and straightforward for applicants

14. Land Lease with Boys and Girls Club Community Garden at City -Owned Lot at 355 Ann Street • Gardens to be used as educational tool and incorporated into B&G Club program • Neighborhood is actively involved – in addition to Boys and Girls Club, the ROPE officer, Settlement Neighborhood Association, and neighborhood volunteers participate

15. Boys and Girls Club Community Garden Boys and Girls Club Goals include: • teaching youth how to grow and eat healthy • build a sense of pride in the community by creating a garden maintained by community residents • utilize the garden as a community building tool • instill in participating youth a sense of accomplishment and teamwork through successful creation of the community garden • incorporate garden into various Club programs including programming focused on healthy eating, environmental sustainability, entrepreneurship, leadership, amongst others

16. Boys and Girls Club Community Garden Measurable results: • (a) youth knowledge of health eating habits, • (b) connection between growing a garden and good environmentally healthy practices For 2013….Expanding to create a “Forgiveness”Garden”

17. Goals for the future…. • Identify more city-owned lots for garden development • 2013- hope to create a new one on Rt 31 • Match locations with appropriate partner organizations • Use these gardens to help strengthen neighborhoods and provide food for local food pantries

18. Questions?