Jeffrey,
We are not really organized into community groups nor do we have any clear
direction. We have been in a one size fits all community gardening system for
twenty years that has kept just enough funding coming in so that no one has had
to push or think for themselves. A severe blow came to us when the main
supporter of our meager local system was discarded for funding and management
reasons. This lead people to consider what they are missing and to wonder how
easy it could all disappear. We are at the same point coming from differing
directions.
I am glad that your group is figuring out how to exist with as little funding
as possible.
We had Kim Delaney come speak to us about her hundred acre farm that she
started with virtually nothing. She is the expert on cheap, less work and
natural. We saw that we were wasteful in our community garden. She makes
arrangements and trades for most things so that ploughing and tractors are
rarely necessary. She saves gas using no-til, saves on watering using mulch and
saves on buying fertilizers by making enormous amounts of compost every year.
I can't get my local gardeners to agree to change. We are addicted to our ways
and the funding that supports it. Start out simpler yet more organized so that
processes of the group are clear from the outset.
In my city there are 23 gardens under the city, 3 private gardens and one farm
that are not the traditional family farm, corporate farm or university
experimental farm models. Here added to your ideas are some of the good ideas
they are playing with.
A few examples of categories for types of space uses
within community gardens
* Social programs
* that build skills, self esteem
* Growing food for needy
* projects managed by outside agencies
* allotment plots
* 1st for vegetable gardens (primary use)
* 2nd along edges for flowers (bees & beauty issues)
* neighbourhood opportunities
* shared herb garden for both medicinal and cooking needs
* community berry picking area
* Nursery beds for trees and bushes needed in neighbourhood
* naturalization
* native plants as a dedicated group’s community garden
* edge rows designed for wildlife, as alternate to fencing
* Vertical gardening
* Stone & earthen walls for growing on & to form a heat storage mass
* Fences, trellises, espalier and hanging arrangements
* tool shed (Blackfriars)
* serenity garden
* lawn area. Is this a picnic space?
* Designing gardens (as an art form and maintenance lesson for students)
I
was thinking of the Oriental Garden found to already exist in Springbank Park!
They must be needed if someone just spontaneously starts to build them on their
lunch break in places that no one else goes!
~ robyn
________________________________
From: Jeffrey Grant <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 4:53:19 AM
Subject: [Community_garden] (no subject)
We are building a community garden in inner city Bridgeport, CT on a 1.2 acre
parcel. This is our first community garden project, although some of our
volunteers have had extensive public and private garden and other project
experience. The garden will consist of three sections, a serenity garden, an
organic vegetable garden and a lawn. Although it is privately leased, and its
funding is primarily private, we anticipate in-kind support from the city. We
would appreciate any assistance in the following areas (1) sample budgets on
projects of this size and/or software suggestions, (2) job descriptions for a
part-time, seasonal garden manager and similar positions, (3) any experience of
requesting and obtaining in-kind benefits (materials and/or services) from a
municipality including submitting a "wish list". I'm certain we will have many
more questions along the way. With gratitude, Jeff Grant
Jeff Grant
Team Leader
Check out our Facebook Page
A Garden Grows In Bridgeport
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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:
http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
