How To: Develop a Community Garden Presentation by: Meghan Baker & Krystyna Adams HSCI 825 April 11 th, 2013

Why community gardens?

Outline SEEDS: Motivations for community gardens SEEDS: Motivations for community gardens ROOTS: Defining goals ROOTS: Defining goals SHOOTS: Get out and garden SHOOTS: Get out and garden FRUITS: Enjoying the fruits of your labour FRUITS: Enjoying the fruits of your labour HARVEST: Building community HARVEST: Building community

SEEDS : What are the motivations? Community gardens are a catalyst for neighborhood and community development by: stimulating social interaction stimulating social interaction encouraging self-reliance encouraging self-reliance beautifying neighborhoods beautifying neighborhoods producing nutritious food producing nutritious food reducing family food budgets reducing family food budgets conserving resources conserving resources creating opportunities for recreation, exercise, therapy and education 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: M Vancouver’s vision: M M M City policy: programs/start-a-new-community-garden.aspx City policy: programs/start-a-new-community-garden.aspxhttp://vancouver.ca/people- programs/start-a-new-community-garden.aspxhttp://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? Is there a strong desire and need for a garden? What is the purpose of the garden? What is the purpose of the garden? What type of role will the garden play - food production, community building, environmental restoration, beautification, recreation? 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? 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? 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? 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 YWCA Metro Vancouver’s Rooftop Food Garden Developed a list of what works and does not work to grow in Vancouver including: Developed a list of what works and does not work to grow in Vancouver including: Broccoli and cauliflower (eaten by crows) Broccoli and cauliflower (eaten by crows) Arugula (nobody likes arugula) Arugula (nobody likes arugula) Heirloom varieties (they just looked weird, nobody likes to cook with stuff that looks weird) 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: Fresh Roots Urban Farm Society: Growing Chefs program: Growing Chefs program:

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? Vancouver’s community garden plans or Vancouver’s vision 2020? What would you want to see next in Vancouver in relation to community gardens? What would you want to see next in Vancouver in relation to community gardens? Any other comments? Any other comments?

Helpful Resources 1) ACGA. (2013). American Community Garden Association. Retrieved from: 2) City of Vancouver. (2013). Community gardens. Retrieved from: programs/start-a-new-community-garden.aspx programs/start-a-new-community-garden.aspxhttp://vancouver.ca/people- programs/start-a-new-community-garden.aspx 3) ACGA. (2007). Rebel Tomato.* Retrieved from: * 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 Vancouver_Rooftop_Food_Garden_/605 YWCA Metro Vancouver (2013). YWCA Metro Vancouver Rooftop Food Garden. Retrieved from Vancouver_Rooftop_Food_Garden_/605 Vancouver_Rooftop_Food_Garden_/605 Vancouver_Rooftop_Food_Garden_/605 Fresh Roots Urban Farm (2013). Retrieved from Fresh Roots Urban Farm (2013). Retrieved from Vancouver School Board (2010). VBE School Food Garden Policy Statement. Retrieved from policy Vancouver School Board (2010). VBE School Food Garden Policy Statement. Retrieved from policy policy policy