Growing Community Gardens

Description

Growing Community Gardens is a multi-week winter training for community garden organizers. Participants learn leadership skills for starting and sustaining successful community gardens and school gardens. We recommend that two (2) garden leaders from each project attend the training together, if possible.

Upon completion of the training, participants whose projects meet program requirements are invited to join our  Garden Leadership Network for ongoing access to support and resources for community garden projects.

Expectations of Participants

Full attendance at all classes is required of all participants. Students are expected to be involved in new or existing community gardens or school gardens committed to organic practices, food production, and inclusive community engagement.

Location

Sorenson Unity Center, 1383 South 900 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84104

Dates

Thursdays, 6pm-8pm, January 5 - February 10, 2017
A light vegetarian dinner is provided before class, from 5:30-6pm

Topics & Instructors

Classes are taught by Wasatch Community Gardens staff, community gardeners and local experts. Classes focus on community organizing, and cover such topics as community-building, inclusion, fundraising and garden design.  Topics and order of classes are subject to change. (Please note that this course does not focus on gardening skills. If you are interested in learning more about organic gardening, please check out the other wonderful workshops we offer.)

1/5     Introduction
Learn about the history of community gardening and what it means to be a community garden organizer.

1/12   Inclusion
Learn skills for cultivating an inclusive community garden that welcomes and celebrates diversity.

1/19    Garden Design
Learn principles of community garden design, and practice a community design process with visiting landscape architects.

1/26    Fundraising
Learn the basics of establishing a mission statement and budget for your community garden, and tips on grassroots fundraising strategies.

2/2    Community-Building
Learn tips for engaging community members in your garden over the long term.

2/9    Wrap-Up
Answer your lingering questions, identify next steps, and celebrate!

Food

A light vegetarian dinner is provided before class, from 5:30-6pm.

Child Care

Drop-In child care is available at the Sorenson Unity Center.

Program Fee

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

Application

Enrollment is limited to 25 participants. First consideration will be given to applicants participating in gardens that primarily serve low-income communities.

Contact

For more information or assistance filling out this application, please contact:

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

Partners