How To: Develop a Community GardenPresentation by: Meghan Baker & Krystyna AdamsHSCI 825April 11th, 2013

Why community gardens?

Outline

SEEDS: Motivations for community gardens

ROOTS: Defining goals

SHOOTS: Get out and garden

FRUITS: Enjoying the fruits of your labour

HARVEST: Building community

SEEDS: What are the motivations?

Community gardens are a catalyst for neighborhood and community development by:

stimulating social interaction

encouraging self-reliance

beautifying neighborhoods

producing nutritious food

reducing family food budgets

conserving resources

creating opportunities for recreation, exercise, therapy and education

SEEDS: Motivations for your garden

Questions to ask yourself:

1) Who is already involved in community gardens and who is not?

2) Is there a need for a new garden?

3) What is that “need”?

Vancouver’s Community Gardens

Vancouver has over 85 community gardens!

Vancouver’s Motivations

Vancouver’s vision: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsYlRW114nM

City policy: http://vancouver.ca/people-programs/start-a-new-community-garden.aspx

ROOTS: Defining goals

Questions to consider:

Is there a strong desire and need for a garden?

What is the purpose of the garden?

What type of role will the garden play - food production, community building, environmental restoration, beautification, recreation?

Who will the garden serve - youth, seniors, a special population or the surrounding neighborhood?

What type of garden would you like to create - vegetable, flower, tree, fruit, herb, or a combination?

Who are the potential supporters of the garden - businesses, neighbors, schools?

Vancouver’s Goals

Vancouver’s Vision 2020

Vancouver’s Goals

SHOOTS: Get out and grow!

SHOOTS: More Vancouver Examples

YWCA Metro Vancouver’s Rooftop Food Garden

Developed a list of what works and does not work to grow in Vancouver including: Broccoli and cauliflower

(eaten by crows) Arugula (nobody likes

arugula) Heirloom varieties (they just

looked weird, nobody likes to cook with stuff that looks weird)

FRUITS: Ensuring the fruits of your labour help meet your goals

Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uh5oacG2RbY

Growing Chefs program:

http://www.growingchefs.ca/

HARVEST: Building your community

The ACGA: Community gardening as a participatory approach to leadership, and community and organizational development

HARVEST: Vancouver Example

Intersectoral collaboration

community…”

"Gardens, scholars say, are the first sign of commitment to a community. When people plant corn they are saying, let's stay here. And by their connection to the land, they are connected to one

another."-  Anne Raver 

Conclusion

What are your thoughts about…? •Vancouver’s community garden plans or Vancouver’s vision 2020? •What would you want to see next in Vancouver in relation to community gardens? •Any other comments?

Helpful Resources

1) ACGA. (2013). American Community Garden Association. Retrieved from: http://www.communitygarden.org/about-acga/

2) City of Vancouver. (2013). Community gardens. Retrieved from: http://vancouver.ca/people-programs/start-a-new-community-garden.aspx

3) ACGA. (2007). Rebel Tomato.* Retrieved from: http://www.communitygarden.org/rebeltomato/

* The layout for our powerpoint presentation was inspired by the Rebel Tomato Site

Other References

YWCA Metro Vancouver (2013). YWCA Metro Vancouver Rooftop Food Garden. Retrieved from http://www.ywcavan.org/content/YWCA_Metro_Vancouver_Rooftop_Food_Garden_/605

Fresh Roots Urban Farm (2013). Retrieved from http://freshrootsurbancsa.wordpress.com

Vancouver School Board (2010). VBE School Food Garden Policy Statement. Retrieved from http://www.vsb.bc.ca/district-policy/io-garden-policy