Richard Rowe
Good Practice in Community Gardens
Richard Rowe Learning and Training Coordinator 1
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Sustainable Gardening Australia Vision A healthy biodiverse planet and vibrant sustainable community Mission To inspire, empower and connect individuals, communities and organisations to garden sustainably, seeking to: • Protect and enhance the natural environment • Encourage local healthy food production • Inspire community connectedness
2
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
What does SGA do? • Training - Master Class workshops and forums direct to gardeners • “Cuttings” - a monthly sustainable gardening newsletter • Website - www.SGAonline.org.au • Facebook page - SustainableGardeningAustralia • Local government workshops to offer residents • Sustainable garden tours • Green Gardening Professionals (GGP) Industry program • Green Products Guide
3
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
SGA and Community Gardens • In 2009, the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust established a Bushfires Fund to assist in the restoration of community life in townships impacted by the 2009 Victorian bushfires • A grant was made to SGA for ‘Community Based Gardening in Bushfire Affected Areas’ • Eleven communities participated in the project • The Community Gardens Manual is a documentation of the learning from the project www.sgaonline.org.au | Community Resources | Community Gardens | Community Garden Manual 4
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Community
5
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Garden
6
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Community + Garden = Community Garden
7
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Community food growing is about learning forgotten skills, sharing knowledge and experiences, exploring new techniques and celebrating the success of harvest but it is also about much more…. 8
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
It is about the pleasure of connecting with each other, of eating well and sharing abundance, of telling yarns and creating bonds. Community Building in Action 9
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Good Practice Community
• It can’t be done alone • Community Gardens need to reflect community needs • The community has to own the garden • Inclusive of all who want to be involved and local community groups • Relationships and trust • Consultation 10
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Where does local government fit? Supporters / Partners
Members / Gardeners
Champions / Committee
11
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Consultation • A community driven process • Engaging the locals • All potential stakeholder • Community meetings and casual discussions • Identifying needs, opportunities and road blocks • Identify key stakeholders 12
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Good Practice People
• The right people • Committed to the long game • Friendly • Open to new ideas and learn • Energy • Pragmatic • Cooperative • Fun 13
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Good Practice Shared Vision and Objectives A vision and objectives that reflect the community’s : • Needs • Values • Cultures • Connections
14
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Good Practice Garden Design
Vision Model Location Size Zones Amenities Garden infrastructure • Gardening practices • • • • • • •
15
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Community Garden Model • Public vs. Private Land • Landshare • Individual Plots • Communal Gardening • Membership • Effort to harvest equity • Free access to harvest • Community food share
16
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Location • Site history • Neighbours • Soil type and condition • Surrounding vegetation • Topology of the land • Drainage • Solar access
17
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Garden Elements Buffer Zones
Water
Compost
Pathways
Raised Beds
Sheds
Seating
Propagation
Fences
Water Harvesting
Oven
Signage
18
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Good Practice Governance • • • • • • • •
Management Structure Incorporate vs. Unincorp. Agreements & Licenses Planning Funding Transparent accounts Insurance Roles
19
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Good Practice Day to Day Operation
• Guidelines • Responsibilities • Safety • Resource usage • Inductions • Organising Activities • Fundraising • Projects • Maintenance • Training • Sharing • Celebration 20
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Good Practice Local Government • Aligned with council strategies and deliver council objectives • Access to land and resources • Involved in consultation process • Clear communication point / liaison officer • Clear roles & responsibilities • Funding - community grants • Promotion • Build committee capacity • Provide admin. support • Don’t over burden 21
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Thank You
22
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Richard Rowe Learning and Training Coordinator 1
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Sustainable Gardening Australia Vision A healthy biodiverse planet and vibrant sustainable community Mission To inspire, empower and connect individuals, communities and organisations to garden sustainably, seeking to: • Protect and enhance the natural environment • Encourage local healthy food production • Inspire community connectedness
2
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
What does SGA do? • Training - Master Class workshops and forums direct to gardeners • “Cuttings” - a monthly sustainable gardening newsletter • Website - www.SGAonline.org.au • Facebook page - SustainableGardeningAustralia • Local government workshops to offer residents • Sustainable garden tours • Green Gardening Professionals (GGP) Industry program • Green Products Guide
3
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
SGA and Community Gardens • In 2009, the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust established a Bushfires Fund to assist in the restoration of community life in townships impacted by the 2009 Victorian bushfires • A grant was made to SGA for ‘Community Based Gardening in Bushfire Affected Areas’ • Eleven communities participated in the project • The Community Gardens Manual is a documentation of the learning from the project www.sgaonline.org.au | Community Resources | Community Gardens | Community Garden Manual 4
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Community
5
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Garden
6
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Community + Garden = Community Garden
7
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Community food growing is about learning forgotten skills, sharing knowledge and experiences, exploring new techniques and celebrating the success of harvest but it is also about much more…. 8
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
It is about the pleasure of connecting with each other, of eating well and sharing abundance, of telling yarns and creating bonds. Community Building in Action 9
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Good Practice Community
• It can’t be done alone • Community Gardens need to reflect community needs • The community has to own the garden • Inclusive of all who want to be involved and local community groups • Relationships and trust • Consultation 10
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Where does local government fit? Supporters / Partners
Members / Gardeners
Champions / Committee
11
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Consultation • A community driven process • Engaging the locals • All potential stakeholder • Community meetings and casual discussions • Identifying needs, opportunities and road blocks • Identify key stakeholders 12
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Good Practice People
• The right people • Committed to the long game • Friendly • Open to new ideas and learn • Energy • Pragmatic • Cooperative • Fun 13
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Good Practice Shared Vision and Objectives A vision and objectives that reflect the community’s : • Needs • Values • Cultures • Connections
14
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Good Practice Garden Design
Vision Model Location Size Zones Amenities Garden infrastructure • Gardening practices • • • • • • •
15
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Community Garden Model • Public vs. Private Land • Landshare • Individual Plots • Communal Gardening • Membership • Effort to harvest equity • Free access to harvest • Community food share
16
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Location • Site history • Neighbours • Soil type and condition • Surrounding vegetation • Topology of the land • Drainage • Solar access
17
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Garden Elements Buffer Zones
Water
Compost
Pathways
Raised Beds
Sheds
Seating
Propagation
Fences
Water Harvesting
Oven
Signage
18
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Good Practice Governance • • • • • • • •
Management Structure Incorporate vs. Unincorp. Agreements & Licenses Planning Funding Transparent accounts Insurance Roles
19
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Good Practice Day to Day Operation
• Guidelines • Responsibilities • Safety • Resource usage • Inductions • Organising Activities • Fundraising • Projects • Maintenance • Training • Sharing • Celebration 20
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Good Practice Local Government • Aligned with council strategies and deliver council objectives • Access to land and resources • Involved in consultation process • Clear communication point / liaison officer • Clear roles & responsibilities • Funding - community grants • Promotion • Build committee capacity • Provide admin. support • Don’t over burden 21
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
Thank You
22
Sustainability through Gardening : Protecting our Natural Environment © Sustainable Gardening Australia 2016
