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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. Presentation Overview.
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How does this thingwork? Improving Communication and Enhancing Involvement at your Community Garden Bill McKelvey - MU Extension – Healthy Lifestyle Initiative Community Gardening ISE July 14 and 15, 2009
Presentation Overview • Introduction to the Gardeners’ Welcome Packet – part of the Community Gardening Toolkit (University of Missouri Extension Publication MP906) • On-line in PDF and RTF versions
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
Gardeners’ Welcome Packet Purpose • Get organized • Communicate clearly • Increase gardener involvement Disclosure: The Packet does not take the place of personal communication
Gardeners’ Welcome Packet Foundation – Core Beliefs • “Community” is the most important word in community garden. • There are many ways to start and manage a community garden. • 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.
Gardeners’ Welcome Packet Foundation – Core Beliefs • Diverse participation and leadership, at all phases of garden operation, enrich and strengthen a community garden. • Each community member has something to contribute. • 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)
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
Gardeners’ Welcome Packet Contents • Garden Map • Calendar • FAQs • Gardener Guidelines • Gardener Application • MU Extension Resources for Planting, Harvesting, Composting, Pests, Disease
Introduction • Written to garden leaders and organizers • Explains how the Welcome Packet works • Written to gardeners • Brief introduction • Table of Contents Table of Contents
Welcome to Community Gardening • Responsibilities of community gardening • Rewards of community gardening
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.
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.
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
Contact List for Garden Jobs • Job • Name(s) • Phone • Email • Name • Phone • Email • Plot # Garden Roster
Calendar • Annual Meeting • Spring Registration • Opening Day • Garden Work Parties • Closing Day • Workshops • Social Events • Garden Tour
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?
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?
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
Gardener Application • Basic contact information • Sign up for garden job/crew • Procedure for dealing with violations • Photo permission • Phone and email list permission • Holdharmless clause
MU Extension Resources for Planting, Harvesting, Composting, Pests, Disease • Links to MU Extension Publications
Where can you find the Gardeners’ Welcome Packet? http://extension.missouri.edu/publications/DisplayPub.aspx?P=MP906 Contact Bill McKelvey with questions or suggestions at McKelveyWA@missouri.edu or 573-882-3273 Thank you.