… it’s all about the people

APFACommunity Garden1997-2008

Started with- Agency managed- Infrastructure in place (water, toilets)- Sandy soils- No fencing

Strengths- Funded program- Staff continuity- Strong community

partnerships- Youth volunteers

Challenges- Not open to the

general public - No $$ for compost- Burnout

… the APFA Story• Community garden programs can respond to community identified issues • Sustainability is linked to Agency’s capacity to maintain the program• Open up to the community could reduce burnout

… it’s all about the people

African Immigrants Community Garden1996-2000

Started with- Agency/Municipal partnership- No Infrastructure in place- Reclaimed site- No fencing

Strengths- Initial funding - Skills supports- Respond to unique

community need

Challenges- Funding stopped- Leadership supports- Site Location - Relationship issues

… the African Immigrant Story

• Community gardening breaks down barriers to building relationships• Location…Location…Location – getting off to a good start is important• Some communities require on-going supports until there is sufficient capacity

… it’s all about the people

St Albert Community Garden1999 -

Started with- Agency program- Water in place- Industrial site- No fencing- Local champion

Strengths- Strong garden

leadership- Initial investments adequate- Agency support when needed

Challenges- Land Tenure - Insurance- Leadership change- Garden size

… the St Albert Story• Community development process creates a strong, sustainable community-owned program• Persistence and strategic persuasion will overcome adversity

… it’s all about the people

Our Urban EdenCommunity Garden1999 -

Started with- Municipal downtown revitalization program- Downtown vacant lot- No infrastructure- Local champion

Strengths- Municipal mentored- Core garden

leadership - Community pride

and ownership

Challenges- Land Tenure- Leadership

renewal- Oversubscribed

… the Our Urban Eden Story• Community development process creates a sustainable community-owned program• In their hearts and minds, gardeners own the land … be mindful about land tenure• Municipality’s best intentions can be expensive and undermine ‘community ownership’

… it’s all about the people

GGGT Community Garden1999 -

Started with- Municipal / Community partnership- Housing Complexes- Some infrastructure in place

Strengths- Municipal mentored- Unique garden

organization- Resourceful

leadership - Summer staff- Supports >28 sites

Challenges- Gardener Skills- Transportation - Shoe string budget

… the GGGT Story

• Community development process creates a sustainable community-owned program• On-going community development supports as needed• Volunteer senior citizens offer skills training and supports

… it’s all about the people

Immigrant Sr. Garden Project 2007 -

Started with- Agency program- Community garden sites

Strengths- SPIN model- Staff & funding- Skills training

Challenges- Transportation- Municipal policies- Gardener

engagement in the community garden

… the Immigrant Sr’s Story

• Community development … a work in progress• Social Enterprise activities on municipal land supported by City

… the Edmonton story

+

… the Edmonton story

- Not for profit society

- Part time staff

- Manages City New Garden Grant

- Mandate: network, promote, support, advocate, create

- $30K organizational support to CGN

- $30K support for new community gardens

+

… the Edmonton story

A community garden in every neighborhood

-- Joint strategy to support community gardens

-- Roles and responsibilities defined for City, City staff and CGN

-- City policies and procedures aligned

-- Aim for ‘cookie cutter’ template

+ =

… the Edmonton story

New Gardens

-- Build leadership capacity

-- Project planning, land tenure, City parks/ planning approvals

-- Neighborhood support, partnership agreements, insurance

-- Terms for garden participation, decision making

+ =

… the Edmonton story

On going supports to existing gardens

-- Leadership capacity

-- Group governance

-- Sustainability

+ =

1000% growth since 1997

Edmonton - 2009- 64 active sites- Operated by 38 independent community organizations

- $11.1K/site

& Area- 5 active sites

… the Edmonton story

- Food safety and accessibility

- Connect to nature

- Physical health

- Local food economy

… the People’s story

Community gardening …

… it’s all about the people

Susan Penstone

www.VoicesOfTheSoil.org

www.edmcommunitygardens.org