Growing Community Gardens

Congratulations to our new Growing Community Gardens students!

20 garden leaders from Salt Lake will be learning the fine art of running community gardens in 2012.

Another year of applications to our winter leadership training has resulted in a stellar cohort of new students who will be learning about community organizing, garden management, volunteer coordination, fundraising, and garden design, among other topics! Graduates of the program are encouraged to become part of the Wasatch Community Gardens Network to receive ongoing support for their community garden projects. This year's cohort will be working on projects such as:

A new school/community garden for Lincoln Elementary and the Liberty-Wells neighborhood of Salt Lake City
A new youth farm in Salt Lake City, Real Food Rising
A new community garden at Ben Franklin Park, in Millcreek
A new community garden at Artspace Commons, in the Granary District of Salt Lake City
Developing community gardens (in their second year) in Sugarhouse, Magna, South Salt Lake, and West Salt Lake
Ongoing community gardens in low-income neighborhoods of Salt Lake City

Congratulations to our new class! We are excited to help your garden dreams grow!

Application Deadline: December 1, 2011

If you are interested in being added to the wait list, please fill out the application below by January 11, 2012.

Growing Community Gardens is a 9-week winter training for community garden leaders, focused on building skills, sharing ideas and identifying resources for developing successful, sustainable community gardens. Community gardeners of all levels of experience are encouraged to apply.

Upon completion of the training, participants whose projects meet site/program requirements are encouraged to become part of the Wasatch Community Gardens Network to receive ongoing support, access to resources (as available), consultation, networking opportunities, and eligibility to apply for financial (up to $5,000) and technical support for new community gardens.

Expectations of Participants

Full attendance at all 9 classes is required for all participants. Participants in Growing Community Gardens are expected to be involved in a new or existing community garden project that is committed to organic practices, growing food and engaging the larger community. Graduates must commit to at least 30 give-back hours in a community garden in 2012 (your own or another garden in the Wasatch Community Gardens Network). Upon completion of the training, participants’ gardens are also encouraged to become part of the Wasatch Community Gardens Network, which includes a requirement of organic methods, community engagement, and periodic communication and reporting to the Wasatch Community Gardens Network Coordinator.

Schedule of Classes

All classes will be held at Artspace Commons (824 S. 400 W., Salt Lake City, UT). Light refreshments will be provided. The order of topics is subject to change, based on presenter availability.

Wed, 1/18
6:00-9:00pm
Intro to Community Gardens
Learn about the history and benefits of community gardening and Wasatch Community Gardens. An overview of the training and resources offered by Wasatch Community Gardens will be discussed.

Wed 1/25
6:00-9:00pm
Cultivating Community
Strategies for gathering support, participation and partnerships that will sustain your community garden over the long haul. Recruiting and working with volunteers. Forming advisory boards, forming leadership committees, developing mission statements.

Wed 2/1
6:00-9:00pm
Garden Management
Developing internal rules and processes to sustain your garden, engage community, and address conflict over the long term. Enabling gardener communication. Planning community-building events.

Wed 2/8
6:00-9:00pm
Money Matters
Raising funds and materials for your garden, incorporating as a nonprofit, writing grants, legal issues.

Wed 2/15
6:00-9:00pm
Building Teamwork
Learn ways to build consensus within your garden group, and facilitate effective meetings that lead to coordinated action.

Wed 2/22
6:00-9:00pm
Nourishing Cultural and Ethnic Diversity in the Garden
Incorporating diverse communities and cultures into your community garden, with an emphasis on Salt Lake County communities of refugee background. Outreaching to individuals and developing garden mentoring relationships.

Wed 2/29
6:00-9:00pm
Ecological Gardening
Principles of ecological and sustainable gardening. The reasons we garden organically, and the basics of sustainable gardening, soil-building and drip irrigation.

Wed 3/7
6:00-9:00pm
Community Garden Design
Site design workshop for your garden. Ideas for engaging community throughout the design process.

Wed 3/14
6:00-9:00pm
Wrap-Up
Celebrate the end of the training, find answers to your lingering questions and plan for the coming year.

Optional Sessions:

-Raised bed construction (date and location TBD)
-Community gardens tour (date and locations TBD)

Program Fee

$75 for all 9 sessions. Scholarships available.
Payment is due upon acceptance into the training.

Deadlines & Application Process

November 1 Application available
December 1, 2:00 p.m. Deadline to submit application
December 1-15 Interviews and site visits held, if necessary
January 4 Applicants informed of decision
January 11 Registration and payment due
January 18 Classes begin

Application Review

Applications are reviewed by a committee facilitated by Wasatch Community Gardens. Enrollment is limited to 25 participants. Applications will be evaluated based on the quality of responses given in the application, including demonstrated community engagement, dedication to long-term garden development, commitment to organic and sustainable practices, and interest in actively participating in the Wasatch Community Gardens Network. The review committee may also ask for a follow-up meeting to discuss your project.

In the case that demand exceeds available space, some preference will be given to garden projects that primarily serve low-income individuals who live in CDBG income eligible areas. To see if your participants are located in one of these areas, please refer to the Salt Lake City CDBG map.

Funding Partners

The Wasatch Community Gardens Network and Growing Community Gardens is made possible by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, The Great Salt Lake Resource Conservation and Development Council, the Salt Lake City Community Development Block Grant, and Wells Fargo Foundation.

Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.

Application Assistance

As you think about your project plan, we encourage you to use the many informational resources on our website for starting a community garden!
For assistance in preparing an application, or more information, please contact:

Susan Finlayson
Network Coordinator
Wasatch Community Gardens
Phone: (801) 359-2658 x 12
Email: susan@wasatchgardens.org