Marci: This is a difficulty for our small program as well (24 gardens and 2 full time staff). We have discussed it with gardeners and they feel that the tilling is one of the most valuable services that we offer to established gardens. So despite all the gripes and "when are you going to..." calls, they are generally happy for the service. We do limit each garden to one tilling in spring and a fall plow down.
My question to you is are you trying to offset cost of staff time or to encourage more independence? I have a feeling that if you actually charged the cost of your staff time, it would be more than gardeners want to pay (?). I know some cg programs do hire out the service though. Maybe they will reply too. Good luck. Tom Dietrich Grow With Your Neighbors Dayton, OH Message: 2 Date: Wed, 17 Dec 2003 16:44:18 GMT To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [cg] offering tilling as part of community garden services Hi all, I manage a large (39 gardens/600 gardeners) community gardening program in upstate New York. We have always offered free tilling as part of our services, and at present charge our gardeners a very low sign-up fee ($10). As we've grown, we have continued to offer tilling at no charge to our gardeners, though it taxes our small staff considerably and gives gardeners a reason to inundate us with calls in the spring (why haven't you tilled my garden yet? when will you till my plot? i haven't had a good season because you tilled so late....). I would like to institute a fee-for service policy as regards tilling and wonder if a)anyone else has faced this issue and b)if so, what a fair-market price might be for such a service. Thanks in advance for any thoughts you might have on the great tilling debate. Best, Marci Nelligan CDCG --__--__-- ______________________________________________________ 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: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden End of community_garden Digest ______________________________________________________ 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: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
