That 120 day rule sounds more like the one for use of FRESH (raw) manure
(applied in the Fall in the North for spring planting).
Well-composted manure should be safe, period. AND I don't believe that
e-coli has been found in horse or poultry manure, both of which are much
better than cow anyway....
---Mike McG
----- Original Message -----
From: "Denise Fisher" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <community_garden at list.communitygarden.org>
Sent: Monday, April 02, 2007 12:28 PM
Subject: Re: [Community_garden] Town Lease/Liability Insurance - E-Coli Risk
> Hi all,
>
> I wanted to thank everyone who responded to my email and update you
> on the outcome of the garden lease and liability issue.
>
> The town apparently was told by their insurance company that e-coli
> was a risk they may not be able to cover since we raise vegetables
> and donate to the food bank. Fortunately we were able to find an
> underwriter who did not consider this to be a high risk problem and
> we were able to get liability coverage for only $150/year for our
> non-profit organization. This was much more affordable than we
> thought it would be, and it seems best to have our own liability
> insurance anyway. Since we now have our own liability insurance, our
> non-profit organization will negotiate the lease directly with the
> landowner and not involve the town.
>
> Our garden is organic and this year we have been offered a donation
> of commercially composted manure from an organic dairy. Since the
> issue of e-coli has been raised, I would like to hear from anyone
> else who may have dealt with this issue. Everything I've read says
> that commercially composted manure is likely safe as long as GAP
> (Good Agricultural Practices) are used, such as mixing the compost
> into the soil and applying it 120 prior to harvest. Since I know
> that many community gardens are organic and donate to food banks, I
> would like to know if you have policies/recommendations that deal
> with the prevention of e-coli contamination.
>
> Denise Fisher
> Timnath Community Garden
>
>
> At 07:49 AM 3/17/2007, you wrote:
>>Hello,
>>
>>We are a new community garden that has been in existence for one
>>year. The town leases 2.5 acres from a private property owner for
>>the purpose of the community garden with the stipulation that the
>>management of the garden is entrusted to a non-profit
>>organization. The Town leased the property so that the community
>>garden would be covered under the town's liability insurance. The
>>lease is year to year. We were expecting a simple renewal of the
>>lease this year, but today we found out that the Town's insurance
>>company is recommending that the non-profit organization provide its
>>own liability insurance which is $750 - $1000/year listing the town
>>as an additional insured. We're not sure why this change from last
>>year. We can't afford the insurance unless a benefactor steps
>>up. If a benefactor steps up and our non-profit organization does
>>buy the liability insurance, then it seems to me there would be no
>>need to involve the town or to list them as an additional
>>insured. We could lease the land directly from the landowner. I
>>would like to know if there are other community gardens out there
>>that are also covered by the liability insurance of the municipality
>>and if they've had any problems. What are the issues? How does this
>>work in other towns?
>>
>>Orientation is next week, and even though we have been in
>>communication with the town administrator, she never gave any
>>indication that there would be any obstacles to the renewal of the
>>lease, so we are caught off guard. We are in a bit of a panic about
>>what to do. Any thoughts/advice/help would be greatly appreciated!
>>
>>Denise Fisher
>>
>>
>>
>>_______________________________________________
>>The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one
>>of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the
>>ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to
>>http://www.communitygarden.org
>>
>>To post an e-mail to the list: community_garden at list.communitygarden.org
>>
>>To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your
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>>http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of
> ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and
> to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org
>
> To post an e-mail to the list: community_garden at list.communitygarden.org
>
> To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription:
> http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
>
>
