University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Training Madison-Monroe-St. Clair Unit

Elizabeth Patton-Whiteside, RN, BSN, MBA

OVERGROWN LOT

GARDEN FEATURES 28 raised beds 28 COMMUNITY BEDS CHILDREN’S GARDEN 3 HERB BEDS CHILDRENS’S GARDEN AREA ROW FARMING AREA 15 VARIOUS FRUIT TREES PALLET SHED 3 COMPOST AREAS

WALKING TRAIL FUTURE GARDENERS

Recycle and reuse materials COMMUNITY BENEFITS Recycle and reuse materials Opportunity to advance community volunteerism Can be done by those with physical and/or mental limitations Great family project for all ages

COMMUNITY BENEFITS Job creation Low Cost Self-Sufficiency Sustainability Productive use of open space for community enhancement, socialization and decreased violence

COMMUNITY BENEFITS Great opportunity in healthy eating habits by exposing the families to various fruit and vegetables. Teach and demonstrate sustainable agricultural production gardening & composting of food waste into useful soil. Increasing physical activity and promoting healthy lifestyles

Creating a Community Garden Clear vision Sustained effort over several years Strong Commitment from at least 3-5 individuals Resources Time (volunteers) Money

Vision Community Garden for Senior Citizens Farm for the Poor Low Income Garden Educational Demo Community Use

Potential Partners Churches Electric Company Citizen groups-Rotary & Lions Clubs Colleges & Universities Community & Senior Centers Cooperative Extension Food banks Health Department High Density housing Developments Mayor’s initiative for Food & Fitness IL. DOA Electric Company Water Company Neighborhood Associations Parks & Recreation Private Business Railroad & transit lines Schools Police department Local Artists Kids clubs Youth Groups Green building Councils

Volunteering…. With-in the garden Outside the garden Coordinating deliveries Teaching Gardening Classes Collection of Produce Hosting garden tours Planting, Mowing community areas Repairing and cleaning equipment Turning compost Picking up trash Maintaining Paths Mentoring Using Social media Phone calls, e-mails to community partners Mailings Newsletters Website brochures Putting up Signs and Banners Collecting Donations

Cost of setting up the garden Cost is approx. $1.00 per square foot per year for the first 5 years. Ex: a plot 100ft x 100 ft. = 10,000sq ft. It will cost $10,000/year to start. Grants All you have to do is ask!

East Side Health District Elizabeth Patton-Whiteside, RN, BSN, MBA Thank You CONTACT INFORMATION East Side Health District Phone: (618) 271-8722 ext.102 Fax: (618) 271-0754 Email: epatton-whiteside@eshd.org Website: www.eshd.org Elizabeth Patton-Whiteside, RN, BSN, MBA Public Health Administrator East Side Health District