Growing Gardens: A resource package on how to start your own community garden

Growing Gardens

A Resource Package on How to Start Your Own Community Garden

Geography 447 Class, UBC, 2007

Urban Agriculture Site Development Group Gehron Burkholder, Polly Ng, Jing Niu, Anjuli Solanki

In Consultation for

Society Promoting Environmental Conservation

Printed with the assistance of the Vancouver Food Policy Council

GEOG 447 Urban Agriculture Site Development Group, 2007

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Canadian Cataloguing Burkholder, Gehron Ng, Polly Niu, Jing Solanki, Anjuli

Growing Gardens A Resource Package On How to Start Your Own Community Garden ISBN 978-0-88865-822-7

© Copyright 2007, G. Burkholder, P. Ng, J. Niu, A. Solanki For inquiries about Growing Gardens A Resource Package On How to Start Your Own Community Garden, contact: Society Promoting Environmental Conservation 2150 Maple Street Vancouver, B.C. V6J 3T3 Tel: 604-736-7732 Fax: 604-736-7115 E-Mail: [email protected]

Design and Layout by Polly Ng Photography by Polly Ng


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Table of Contents LETTER TO THE GARDENER 4

URBAN AGRICULTURE AND COMMUNITY GARDENS IN VANCOUVER 5

ENVISIONING YOUR COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT 6

Envisioning Your Project 6

Laying Down the Organisational Groundwork 7

STARTING YOUR COMMUNITY GARDEN 8

Introduction to the Process 8

Conceptualising the Process 9

SOCIAL 10

Your Community’s Garden 10

Garnering Community Support 10 What is the Community Supporting? 10 Assessing Community Support 10

Community Consultation Process 12 Organising the Meeting 12 Holding the Meeting 12

Getting and Keeping People 13

PHYSICAL 14

Finding Land 14 Land Inventories 14

Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Land 15 General Requirements 15 Support from Parks and Recreation 15 Other Considerations 16 Parks Contact Information 16

City of Vancouver Land 17 General Requirements 17 Support from the City 17 Other Considerations 18 City Contact Information 18

Choosing Your Site 19


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Checklist for Physical Aspects 19

Site Plan and Guidelines 20 Checklist for What to Include in a Site Plan 20 Landscape Architecture Program Contact Information 20

Site Preparations 21 Checklist for Site Preparation 21

ECONOMIC 22

Costs and Funding 22

Non-Profit Status 23

FURTHER CONSIDERATIONS FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS 24

Management 24

Maintenance 25

WORDS OF WISDOM 26

SOURCES 27

OUR THANKS AND APPRECIATION 28

APPENDIX A: CONTACT LIST OF HELPFUL PEOPLE 29 APPENDIX B: URBAN AGRICULTURE SITE ANALYSIS TEMPLATE 31

APPENDIX C: CITY OF VANCOUVER COMMUNITY GARDEN PILOT PROJECT 34

APPENDIX D: BC AGRICULTURAL TESTING LABORATORIES 42

APPENDIX E: OTHER SOIL TESTING LABORATORIES 43

APPENDIX F: SOIL SAMPLING FACTSHEET 44

APPENDIX G: COMPOST INFORMATION 48

APPENDIX H: TEMPLATE DONATION LETTER 49

APPENDIX I: GRANT INFORMATION 50 APPENDIX J: RESOURCE LISTING 58

APPENDIX K: TEMPLATE COMMUNITY GARDEN MEETING MINUTES 62

APPENDIX L: TEMPLATE COMMUNITY GARDEN CONTRACT 64


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Letter to the Gardener Dear Community Gardener, The intention of the Community Garden Resource Package is to encourage and empower people such as yourself who are in interested in community garden to dream and create one of their own. As you know, starting a community garden can be a long process and there are many things to consider. Some steps and questions to think about include:

how to organize your project

how to garner community support and bring people together for your garden;

where to find and how to wade through the various guidelines and policies applicable to the future site of your garden

what funding sources and options are available

what information and resources exist and where to find them

how to ensure that your community garden maintains ecological, economic, social, and aesthetic sustainability and receives on-going support

To help you through the process of creating your community garden, we have compiled a toolkit of information and resources for you. The package contains useful advice from fellow citizens that have initiated and continue to maintain successful community garden projects; and from Vancouverites that are involved in promoting urban agriculture. It also provides information on the wealth of resources available in Vancouver. We hope that our package can help you spend less time hunting down procedures and people and more time for you and future community gardeners to get your hands dirty! Good luck with your future community garden! Sincerely,

Geography 447 Urban Agriculture Site Development Group 2007 Gehron Burkholder, Polly Ng, Jing Niu, Anjuli Solanki

Dr. Kathrine E. Richardson, Geography 447 Instructor

In consultation for Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC), Karen Wristen, Executive Director, as part of SPEC’s initiative to assist the City of Vancouver in creating 2,010 community gardens by 2010.


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A garden nurtured by students of LifeSong School at Jericho Hill Centre.

A community gardener in her garden at Cottonwood Community Gardens, located on Malkin Street between Hawks and Raymur.

Urban Agriculture and Community Gardens in Vancouver

Urban Agriculture

Polly Ng Page 5 5/29/2008

What is it?

It is the “growing, processing and distribution of food and other products through intensive plant cultivation and animal husbandry in and around cities” (Brown 2003; qtd. in Kaethler 2006) What can it look like?

your balcony tomatoes the neighbour’s hobby greenhouse the local school’s garden the bustling farmer’s market in your local church’s parking lot

the herb garden on the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel’s green roof

vegetable plots in your neighbourhood community garden

Community Gardens What can they do for your community?

provide community members with fresh, healthy, and affordable food

provide gardeners with regular exercise and recreation

bring neighbours together to learn about each other and share knowledge and food

teach children about nutrition, life sciences, and sustainability

create beautiful green spaces

create habitat for wildlife

reduce our ecological footprint

improve neighbourhood safety by reducing crime

provide a source of pride for your community

provide opportunities to help those in need (e.g. donating food to the Food Bank)

What are they?

They are organic gardens that are used by its members to grow food and flowers for personal use


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Volunteers at the Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project communal Sharing Farm.

“The Troublemaker’s Teaparty is an updated version of “The Citizen’s Handbook” and is available at Amazon.ca.

Envisioning Your Community Garden Project

Envisioning Your Project

Create a mental list of all the individual people and separate resources that were in your vision and think about whether they exist, where they are, and how you can access them. These resources and people will be located in different places; separated from you by barriers such as applications and procedures; and you may not know where to find and how to access some of them. The project of creating your community garden is the process of organising or bringing together all of these unconnected people and resources. There are many ways to organize all the ingredients that go into creating a community garden. There is no best practice or sure-fire method but successful organizing is often:

well thought out and carefully planned flexible to changes as you learn from experiences and mistakes

respectful of and makes the most of the resources and abilities available to you

An excellent resource on community organizing is “The Citizen’s Handbook: A guide to Building Community” by Charles Dobson from Vancouver Citizen’s Committee, available at http://www.vcn.bc.ca/citizens-handbook/welcome.html.

Imagine what your future community garden will look like: a beautiful space blooming with vegetables and laughter. Explore all the details of your dream garden.

Who is present? Neighbours, friends, volunteers?

Who is not there but contributed something or helped you build the garden? Local store owners, landscape architect students, seed companies, community funding agencies?

What plants and materials make up your garden? Seeds, transplants, tools, a shed, wood, compost?


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Laying Down the Organisational Groundwork There are some basic steps that are fundamental to building the solid foundation needed for the fruitful organising of your community garden. They help to pull together the people that will make it happen; define your project, and map out how you will get from where you are to where you want to be. The following was based on “The Citizen’s Handbook”. For more comprehensive information, please refer to the handbook. http://www.vcn.bc.ca/citizens-handbook/welcome.html

A. Where: Where to Begin? You have a fantastic idea and need to find information and like-minded people.

Research existing literature and examples

Join an existing group that is already doing similar work

Start your own group if a group does not exist or does not work for you

C. What: Defining Your Project When you have your group, brainstorm your ideas on these questions:

What are we trying to achieve? What size of area will we organize? Who will support our project? What is a simple and rewarding first

action that we can do? How will we reach out to others in our

community?

E. When: Creating an Action Plan When you have small, manageable projects that best fit your visions, values, and available resources, create a flexible action plan with:

a list of tasks to complete, sorted according to priority

a person assigned to each task a list of necessary resources, including

materials, funding and facilities a time-line for completing tasks

B. Who: Who is Organizing? Whether you joined or formed a group, you need a core of 3-5 committed individuals. Talk to acquaintances and soon-to-be acquaintances and look for people with:

similar passions and values solid commitment and follow through diverse skills and experiences fantastic and enthusiastic attitude

D. How: Planning Your Project When you have a good sense of your group and project, think about how you can make things happen.

Set simple, achievable goals that will yield concrete results

Brainstorm objectives and strategies to reach these goals

Narrow down goals and objectives Brainstorm actions to reach these

objectives

F. Adapting to Available Resources

If you have limited resources:

Keep your group small Find strong and dependable people Focus on a single project that will

produce tangible, rewarding results Tackle one goal at a time Do your most important tasks first Incorporate project tasks into daily life Reduce the time you spend on what

feels like work


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Social • fostering initial and

continuing community support for your project

Economic • assessing costs • finding funding

Physical • finding available and suitable

land for gardening • doing a physical analysis for

your site • planning the physical design of

your garden

The potential outcome?

Starting Your Community Garden

Introduction to the Process There are some basic pieces that make up almost every process of creating a community garden. Organised into three broad categories of social, physical, and economic considerations, these include:

Within and aside from these fundamentals, there are many tasks and considerations that go into the creation of a community garden. You will likely come across ideas, opportunities, and concerns that are unique to your project. As well, the order in which you tackle these considerations (or perhaps the sequence in which surprises find you!) will be individual to your garden. Hence, the following sections are not organised in chronological order. They are organised into the three categories of social, physical, and economic; and present the fundamentals and other items that you will likely think about or come across in the process of starting your garden. It is up to you to decide which tasks and considerations best fit your needs and to choose when it makes the most sense for your group to address them. An important thing to recognize when thinking about the process of starting a community garden is that it takes time. On average it takes about 18-24 months from your first organising efforts to when you are able to start gardening. There will be snags along the way but the learning and growing process can be as enjoyable as the potential outcome. As well, there is no absolute perfect garden and it is important that each garden has character to match its neighbourhood. However, there are certain guidelines that are important to follow when gardening on lands owned by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation (see pages 15-16) and the City of Vancouver (see pages 17-18). If you would like guidance through your process, consider partnering with an established garden. For a list of a few community gardens in Vancouver which have expressed interest in providing advice and guidance for budding gardens, see APPENDIX A. Also try approaching members of the many other successful community gardens and ask for their advice and expertise. Many people are eager to support the growth of more community gardens and gardeners.

A potential outcome?


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Conceptualising the Process This template may be helpful in helping you organise the many errands and projects that are involved in starting your community garden. The template is broken down into two phases and three categories of factors. It is important to meet the requirements of the initial phase so that you can successfully develop your project through the second phase. The three categories of social, economic, and physical/ environmental factors are equally important to consider when planning your community garden and will vary from garden to garden. You may need to select certain steps and carry them out according to the action plan that makes the most sense for your group, location, and resources. For more detail on this template, please see APPENDIX B.

(peoplepower


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Social Your Community’s Garden A garden is always far more than the vegetables and flowers growing in it. The most important ingredients in any garden are the people that care for and love the plants; and the community that views and uses it as a place of gathering, meeting, sharing, learning, and connection.

Many community gardens in Vancouver emphasise that community support was essential to their creation. Community support and involvement also fuel the continuing success of these gardens. Encouraging your community to adopt your garden into their minds and hearts as a positive and integral part of the neighbourhood will help you to:

foster commitment to your garden cultivate stewardship of your garden ensure that your garden becomes a perennial place in your neighbourhood

Garnering Community Support What is the Community Supporting? The first step to building community support for your garden is to have a clear picture of the idea and project that you want supported. The following are some questions to help you and your group to brainstorm and to sketch the broad outline of what your project and garden will look like:

What is the purpose of the garden? What goals do you want to achieve by establishing a garden? How will the garden be used? Who is welcome to use the garden? Who will be using the garden? What features and programs will be included in the garden?

Assessing Community Support Finding out the degree to which your community favours urban agriculture in and approves of a garden in the neighbourhood will help you identify potential supporters and partners. Gauging the opinions and attitudes of local residents and different groups will also allow you to get a sense of how well your garden fits the needs of your community. If you find that there are issues that are important to the wider community or to specific groups that are not

People and community make a garden.


11addressed by your project, you may be able to win the support of these individuals by reworking the concept of your garden to incorporate these issues. Useful information to look for when assessing community support include:

Some methods of assessing community support are:

Talking to people: the most old-fashioned and effective; get a range of opinions from neighbours, neighbourhood associations, churches, community centers, co-ops, apartments, local social organizations, and so on.

Door knocking: a fantastic way of reaching out but can be time-consuming and intimidating for you and the resident

Surveys: a comprehensive method but time-consuming and possibly costly and ineffective

Issues that are important to the community

• These may include: o improving community participation o addressing crime, vandalism, drug use, and prostitution o improving the supply of and access to safe and nutritious food for

vulnerable groups, such as immigrants and disadvantaged households o beautification of public spaces

• How can your garden address and support these issues?

How your garden will impact the community • What are positive effects? (e.g. creating social capital and healthy food

sources) • What are negative effects? (e.g. aesthetic considerations)

Cultural perspectives on agriculture

• Talk to different cultural groups and organizations • Address negative attitudes and perspectives • Use positive attitudes and perspectives to ‘sell’ your garden

Potential user groups

• Who will want to be a part of your garden? • What common objectives do you have and how can you help each other

accomplish these objectives?


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Citizen involvement is crucial to building a community garden

Community Consultation Process At some point, you will need to inform the community about your project. This can be done simply by putting up notices in your future garden site location and at popular bulletin boards. However, holding a community consultation meeting to make your project public can be valuable way for you to:

gain support and feedback for your garden invite community members to get involved in your project make valuable connections with potential supporters, donors, and volunteers

Organising the Meeting The best time to organize a community consultation meeting is when you are clear about what you want to tell those attending and what you want to gain from holding the meeting. Depending on the size of your neighbourhood, it may be advantageous to hold several meetings if possible: the more meetings and locations, the more diverse the audience that you may be able to reach. When you have set the date, time, and location for your meeting; advertise around the neighbourhood. Postings should include the details of when and where the meeting will be, as well as the purpose or objective of the meeting and discussion topics that will be covered. Also provide contact information, in case individuals want to get in touch to confirm details or ask questions. Try to have advertisements up for at least several days before the meeting, to ensure that they have generated interest. To the right are some ideas on how to spread the word. For more suggestions on where to poster and meet, see the Mosaic ‘Inventory of Community Spaces’ (http://www.mosaicbc.com/PDF_files/Community%20Space%20Needs%20Study.pdf) and SPEC building room rentals (http://spec.bc.ca/space/index.php).

Holding the Meeting The following are some suggestions on how to plan and prepare for holding your meeting:

Choose an accessible location If possible, provide food and childcare to motivate and enable people to attend

Have a clear, simple, and concise agenda • present your project • outline how it will benefit the community • ask for participants’ reactions, opinions,

ideas, and involvement Plan for a short 45min to 1h meeting, so people can fit it into their busy lives

Leave time before and after the meeting for informal discussion and networking

Obtain contact information from interested individuals for a follow-up meeting

Advertising Ideas Word of mouth Coffee shops City newspaper event listings

Co-op radio Websites of gardening and agriculture non-profit organizations

Blogspot.com CraigsList SPEC event calendar


13 Getting and Keeping People At every stage of starting your community garden, getting and keeping people involved will be important for keeping the project going. The following tips are gleaned from the very informative ‘Getting People’ and ‘Keeping People’ sections of the “Citizen’s Handbook”.

Getting People

Ask members to invite family, friends, and neighbours

Go to where people meet and gather • meetings of other groups • community events

Ask for and record names, addresses, and phone numbers of interested individuals • follow through by contacting these

people with an e-mail or phone call Reach out to the under-represented • ethnic minorities • low-income residents • the differently-abled • the elderly • youth

Door knock Create newsletters and leaflets

Keeping People

Keep in contact with one another • preferably in person but electronically may be more convenient

Welcome potential new members • introduce them to everyone • help them find a place in your project doing what they want to do

Pay attention to group process • define clear roles and healthy decision-making methods

Discuss expectations • what do members expect of the project and the group?

Act more, meet less Keep time demands reasonable Pair up Organise social activities and time

• take a break from work to relax and have fun with these people Provide skills training

• organise workshops and training to invest value in your members

Keep people involved with food and fun.


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“Growing Space: the potential for Urban Agriculture in the City of Vancouver” • Source:

http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/socialplanning/initiatives/foodpolicy/tools/pdf/Growing_Space_Rpt.pdf

• List: available lands on City-leased or city-owned property

• Author: Terra Murphy Kaethler, School of Community and Regional Planning (UBC, August 2006)

Physical

Finding Land Finding available land in Vancouver for your community garden can be a challenge, depending on how developed your neighbourhood is and the scale and type of gardening that you envision for your project. You may already have your sights set on a long-abandoned lot, a grassy field owned by your local church, or a space in your or your neighbour’s housing complex specifically designed for a garden. If you do not have a location in mind, you can search for a space simply by walking around your neighbourhood or the area in which you want to create your community garden and keeping an eye out for a piece of land large enough for your needs. Talking to neighbours will also give you a good idea of available spaces in the area. Another avenue to explore while searching for land is to contact the various authorities that own and manage land. Many allow space for community gardening if you meet certain conditions and requirements. Available spaces can be located on lands owned by the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Parks and Recreation Board, the Vancouver School Board land, TransLink, the federal government, and private owners. The following inventories list some lands in Vancouver that may be available for community gardening. These inventories do not include all available spaces and the authorities that own and manage the locations listed may not necessarily allow for community gardens. Land Inventories

City of Vancouver Semi-Public Properties Inventory: • List: available lands on semi-public properties (e.g. churches, private schools) • Author: (will be available in fall 2007) • Source: (contact City of Vancouver Social Planning Dept.)

When choosing a site for your garden, find out under whose jurisdiction the space falls and learn about the rules, regulations and requirements that your garden will have to meet. Ideally, the authority that manages your space will accommodate the scale and type of gardening that you envision for your project. In the case of City and Parks land, there are policies and programs that offer support such as funding and services for your community garden.


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Strathcona Community Gardens is located on Parks landat Prior Street and Hawkes Avenue.

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation has made public park space available for community gardens since 1985, when Strathcona Community Garden was created. The Parks Board views community gardening as an important land use that builds community development and education, environmental stewardship, and healthy social interactions. Parks staff will work with interested individuals and groups in the development of new community gardens. They work with both community and communal gardens and offer guidelines on how you should proceed if it is determined that your project and Parks Land are a good match

Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation Land

General Requirements Your group and project must meet the following stipulations in order to be eligible for using Parks land. For more information, please see the Parks Board’s official Community Gardens Policy at: http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/info/policy/comgardnpolicy.htm

Your group must have non-profit status or be partnered with a non-profit organisation (see page 23).

Your project must encourage community development through the involvement of schools, youth groups, or citizens that are not gardening in an assigned plot in your garden

Your garden must be organic and increase ecological biodiversity Your garden should nurture understanding of local food production Your group and project must have the support of the neighbourhood (see pages 10-13) A site plan for your garden must submitted and approved by the General Manager of the Parks Board before development begins (see page 20)

Support from Parks and Recreation The Parks Board offers the following services to community gardening groups that meet the above requirements. It will:

Provide access to information on the development and operation of community gardens Assist interested groups in searching for suitable land


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West Point Grey Garden is a communal garden located on the corner of Trimble Street and W8th Avenue.

Assist in the development of user agreements with the owners of sites chosen Assist with the development of a community led environmental education program

Prepare the site for planting prior to the first season by removing grass, ploughing the soil and adding compost at Parks Board’s Cost

Other Considerations The advantages of starting your community garden on Parks land are balanced by several potential disadvantages.

It is difficult for the Parks Board to change existing land use patterns that benefit the public and provide land solely for gardening purposes, since the plot allotment in community gardens is semi-private and takes space away from other members of the public. However, the Parks Board can better accommodate communal gardening, where anyone can participate in gardening a shared, communal area.

The process may take up to 18 – 24 months Parks Board may require that you make your plots available to all City residents.

Parks Contact Information For additional information regarding starting your own community garden, contact:

Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation 2099 Beach Avenue Vancouver, B.C. V6G 1Z4 Phone: 604-257-8400 Fax: 604-257-8427


17City of Vancouver Land Several mature community gardens have resided on land owned by the City for many years. Currently, the City of Vancouver actively encourages and supports the creation of new community gardens on city property because it recognises the numerous social, sustainability and economic benefits of community gardening. In 2006, City Council announced the ‘2,010 New Community Shared Garden Plots by 2010’ Challenge, which calls “individuals, families, community groups and neighbourhood organisations to establish more food-producing gardens in Vancouver” (City of Vancouver 2006). Social Planning Department staff that is working on food policy and urban agriculture envisions that community gardens will play a big role in rising up to the challenge. The City will collaborate with interested individuals and groups and assist them in the process of starting a new community garden. Helpful guidelines similar to those of the Parks Board are provided by the City on what you need to do to start your garden on City land. General Requirements Your group and project must meet the following broad criteria in order to be eligible for using City land. For more details, please see guidelines for the Pilot Project in APPENDIX C.

Your group must have non-profit status or be partnered with a non-profit organisation (see page 23).

Your project must, in some way, foster • community development and involvement • food donations to charitable purposes • environmental education and demonstration • increase in environmental biodiversity

Your group and project must have the support of the neighbourhood (see pages 10-13) A site plan for your garden must submitted and approved by the City before development begins (see page 20)

Support from the City The City offers the following services to community gardening groups that meet the above requirements. It will:

Provide access to information on the development and operation of community gardens Help an interested group of people find land if they do not have a potential site already identified.

Help facilitate the community outreach and consultation process Help to develop the site by

• clearing unwanted vegetation • bringing compost and water

Assist groups in the search for funding (e.g. grants and so on.)


18Other Considerations The many benefits of starting your community garden on City land are balanced by several potential drawbacks.

Staff time and resources are in high demand so assistance may be limited. Starting a community garden on City land can take up to two years The tenure of land agreements for City land can vary between one to twenty years, although the most commonplace is five years. Additionally, the permit can be terminated with 30 days notice at anytime.

City Contact Information To inquire about the requirements and process of starting your garden on City land, contact:

Devorah Kahn City of Vancouver Food Policy Coordinator Social Planning Department 604-871-6324 or [email protected]


19Choosing Your Site In addition to the location and availability of the site you have in mind, there are many physical aspects to consider before you make the final decision. These physical characteristics will influence how suitable the space is for gardening in general and for what you envision for your project. Almost any physical aspect can be improved or amended. For example, you can install raised planter boxes and bring in fresh soil and compost to compensate for poor or questionable soils. The disadvantage of site amendments is that they can be costly in terms of money and labour. However, some creativity and legwork can go a long way (see page 22). Below is a checklist of important characteristics to assess before you select your site.

Checklist for Physical Aspects

Research Site History

Historical Uses: who used it and for what activities? Current Uses: who uses it now and for what activities? Contamination: any possible sources from historical uses or

neighbouring activities and what types of contaminants?

Initial Physical Assessment

Size of Area: is it large enough to suit your needs? Water: availability, supply, access? Slope and Drainage: sufficient or will amendments be required? Exposure: how exposed are different parts of the site to light, wind,

runoff? Biological Problems: presence of invasive species, noxious weeds,

pests? Space for Structures (e.g.: storage units, compost bins, etc.): is there

sufficient space?

Access and Safety

Transportation: proximity to public and self-propelled transportation? Inclusive Accessibility: can the site be accessed by the differently-

abled? Personal Safety: are there features that might negatively affect

personal security?


20Site Plan and Guidelines A site plan is a highly useful tool that can help you to visualise what features your garden will include; map out how these features will be organised; and maximise use of your space. You may already know how your garden design will look like before you find and finalise a location. However, a site plan will be most useful to you after you have secured a physical space. The dimensions of your location will influence what features it can accommodate and may even create opportunities for different elements and layouts. Many beautiful and care-free gardens harmonise their designs with the natural characteristics of their sites. A site plan is also necessary if you are starting your garden on Parks or City land. See the Parks website for Parks guidelines (see page 15) and APPENDIX C for City guidelines. There are many books available on how to draw a site plan. The following are some basic elements of what your plan should include. It can also be helpful to look at successful community gardens around the city and how they are laid out.

Checklist for What to Include in a Site Plan

Your site plan does not need to be professional, even if it is to be submitted to the City or Parks Board for approval. It should just be legible and clear. If you feel you would like professional assistance, consider working with students at local landscape architecture programs. Many would be happy to take your site plan on as a project. Before you agree to partner with a student, put together a scope of work that works for both of you. This is especially if the student takes this on as class-work, since the class will have its own deadlines for completing the project. Landscape Architecture Program Contact Information

UBC Landscape Architecture Program Phone: 604-822-6916 Email:[email protected]

General Elements

Size and slope dimensions of your site

List of all the features in your garden

Dimension of all the features

Location of all features

Basic Features Entrances and exits Pathways Existing vegetation

(e.g. trees) Garden plots Communal

gardening and meeting spaces

Existing and planned structures

Water lines and sources

Characteristics of Features

Location Number Size Shape Width Function

UBC Certificate in Garden Design Phone: 604-822-1444 Email: [email protected]


21Site Preparations After you have found the appropriate land, gathered community support, raised the necessary funds and capital, and have the green light to transform your space into a community garden, the site may need some preparation prior to the first growing season. Depending on the size of your site and how much funding or volunteer people-power you have, preparations can be done by machinery or with elbow grease in a series of work parties. For example, members of the My Own Back Yard garden chose to shovel a mountain of fill to level their site over several months rather than move it by machine. If you are starting your garden on City or Parks land, these authorities provide some assistance with site preparations. Please see pages 15-18 for more details.

Below is a checklist of some important site preparation tasks. This list is not exhaustive, and as many experienced community gardeners have suggested, creating a community garden is a dynamic process with new challenges around every corner.

Checklist for Site Preparation

Remove unwanted ground cover, grass, and other structures Level the ground Test the soil for toxic heavy metals & nutrient levels

• See APPENDIX D for list of local companies that are willing to complete soil tests on contact

• See APPENDIX E and APPENDIX F for additional information regarding soil sampling

Bring in soil and compost as needed • See APPENDIX G for information on compost pricing and

delivery Connect or provide access to water

Much site preparation work can be done by hand, especially if members of your group and community are very involved.


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Economic

Costs and Funding Funding is often an issue with the start up, and at times the maintenance, of a community garden. Costs may include:

land use fees application fees water and utilities facilities use fees

tools and machinery seeds and transplants materials for infrastructure etc.

City of Vancouver Food Policy Coordinator Devorah Kahn estimated that starting a new community garden will cost around $7,000-10,000 on average. However, it depends o n what materials and services your garden needs and how creative you are in obtaining them. Some gardens have been extremely resourceful in getting donations of materials, time, labour, and skill. For example, the Tea Swamp Community Garden at E15th Avenue and Sofia created their garden on a shoestring budget of $500. Be creative and resourceful when seeking out donations. For donations of materials, look around your neighbourhood or ask neighbours for unused items that can be re-used or re-fashioned into something beautiful or handy. Also try approaching local hardware stores and other community businesses and ask if they would be interested in donating either funds or materials. In APPENDIX H is an example template donation letter that can serve as a basis for your own. For donations of time and skill, hold scheduled work parties and always be ready to recruit new volunteers, especially students and professional that have specialized knowledge in agriculture, construction, community organization, and other areas of expertise.

Another source of funding is grant money. There are numerous small, one-time grants that can provide several hundred to a few thousand dollars to your project. Local Community Credit Unions have also been instrumental in helping a number of the existing community gardens. See APPENDIX I for a list of some of the granting and funding sources that will fund Community Garden type projects. However, some have certain restrictions, such as being available only for non-profit or charitable non-profit organizations, read the requirements and restrictions carefully before applying.

City Farmer built this cold frame using donated plexiglass windows.


23Non-Profit Status An organisation with legal non-profit status is an organisation that does not distribute its profits, if any are generated, among shareholders. Instead, any money earned by the organization goes into funding programs and salaries. It is not necessary for your group to become acquire non-profit status in order to successfully start and maintain a community garden. However, the status does afford some advantages. It can:

own its own property and its own bank account continue to do the work that you have started after you and key organizers have left the project

protect you and others involved in your organization from liability issues enable you to start a community garden on City or Parks land, since both authorities require groups to have non-profit status in order to do so

make your group eligible for more grants, as many are available only to non-profit or charitable non-profit organisations

allow you to charge membership fees that will help pay garden expenses. There are two ways to obtain non-profit status: 1) Partner with an existing non-profit organization.

New gardens can partner up with an established garden that is run by a non-profit organisation. See APPENDIX A, which lists several community gardens in Vancouver that have expressed interest in providing this type of advice and guidance.

Another avenue may also be to partner with an established environment non-governmental organization (NGO) that promotes urban agriculture. See APPENDIX J, which lists many NGOs in Vancouver that are involved in agriculture and gardening.

2) Establish a new non-profit society

You can obtain non-profit status by incorporating your group. A great how-to resource is also available at the Charity Village website: http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/guides/guide4.asp

You will need to file articles of incorporation with either the provincial or federal government. You can find these documents and step-by-step instructions at the following websites:

BC Government: http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/registries/corppg/forms/reg20.pdf Federal Government: http://www.strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/site/cd-dgc.nsf/en/h_cs02145e.html


24

Active community involvement at work!

Further Considerations for Continued Success Management Once you have started the ball rolling in the process of getting your garden established, an important consideration is a plan of how your garden will be managed. Formalising this before the garden is actually created helps to show the authorities that are in charge of your site (i.e.: City or Parks Board) that your group is committed to this endeavour for the long term and is investing thought in the future of the garden. A management plan will include guidelines on all the aspects of your garden’s operations. These will provide structure for your day-to-day activities as well as broad directions in which to develop the garden. Many successful gardens have found it important that their management plans encourage active involvement by its members. What your management plan includes will be guided by what your members find works for them. Here are some example guidelines and advice that we have garnered from existing community gardens.

Have a transparent democratically elected executive that is elected on an annual basis

Have regular bi-weekly or monthly meetings where the garden can be assessed, concerns can be aired, and ideas can be shared.

Make sure that the minutes from garden meetings are recorded and made available (APPENDIX K , is an example provided by Maple Community Gardens)

Create a Membership Guidelines contract (example in APPENDIX L)

Have a Member fee (usually around $5-$10 a year) and Plot fee (a general range is $15- $40 a year). Having two fees can allow those that do not want an individual plot the option to garden in a communal section. These fees contribute to the

long-term sustainability of many gardens and help pay for materials or costs.

Have a bank or credit union account for the garden. Have a reliable and fair waiting list system that is renewed on an annual basis. By renewing annually you prevent flagging interest and ensure that the people on the waiting list are still interested and have not moved on.

Have communal maintenance parties a couple of times a year and make it mandatory for all members to attend a minimum number.

Make sure that you have a good relationship with your surrounding neighbourhood by being conscious of “eye sores” (garbage and tools lying around) and noise (i.e.: don’t use any power tools or weed-eaters early on Sunday morning).


25Maintenance Most gardens do not require a lot of capital once they have been started, since the main costs are generated by the creation of the garden. However, there are continuing maintenance fees and other costs that need to be accounted for. Annual costs range approximately $350- $700, depending on how large the garden is and what the maintenance needs for that year were. The following is a list of some of the approximate costs that most gardens incur on an annual basis.

Water: $250

Land rent: $1-25 - depending on who owns the land

Fencing and plot maintenance: $50 - $200 - this is not necessarily annual, but if you invest in a good fence to begin with, there is

lower maintenance costs required)

Seeds and plants for communal area: $50-$100

Food for meetings/work parties: $50 - this cost is optional; you can take the potluck option in which everyone contributes

Fixing up or buying new tools: $100 - depends on how well tools are cared for

Compost: $10/5m2 - this depends on whether you have your own compost or get it from the City; and whether

you have it delivered or you pick it up - compost from the City is free for non-profit organisation

Garden ornaments (i.e.: bricks, lumber, bird baths, etc.): variable - many gardens search for materials that can be recycled and re-used, such as bricks

and wood from construction sites.

Any paper-work that requires printing or professional skills (i.e.: accounting): variable

Miscellaneous: $40- $80 - it is important to account for un-thought of fees

With strong membership and involvement, many of these maintenance costs can be paid for through membership and/or plot fees and in-kind donations. In addition to member fees and applying for grants, here are some creative ways to fund-raise for your community garden and to gather the community together.

Invite musicians to donate their time and have a picnic in the garden when people donate money for the music to the garden

Have a benefit dance with an entrance fee with proceeds going to the garden If you obtain non-profit and charitable status, advertise that donations can receive tax- deductible receipts for their contributions

Have an annual plant sale Have a community barbeque


26

Words of Wisdom

Organisers and members of existing community gardens are such rich sources of advice so do not hesitate to get in touch with them (many are listed in our resource page in APPENDIX J). Here are some words of wisdom from some of the garden coordinators.

[Community] garden seeds take a lot longer to germinate than plant seeds - Neville West, WPG Gardens

It is hard work initially, but once you get started it gets easy - Mark Sobers, Frog Hollow Neighborhood House and Strathcona Gardens

Communication is everything... If you're not talking to people, you're out of the loop - Jason O'Brien, My Own Back Yard (MOBY)

It is important that the surrounding community is happy with the community garden - Terry Dixon, General Manager of Engineering Services

You definitely need a handyperson if you're going to build a community garden from scratch - Niki Westman, Tea Swamp Community Gardens

In regards to applying for grants and funding apply often, with as many letters of support as possible especially from organizations - Mardel Greenough, Molehill Community Gardens

Scout out the neighbourhood for materials you can recycle for free … A community garden doesn't need to cost thousands of dollars, as long as the coordinator is resourceful and is or knows a couple of handy people - Niki Westman, Tea Swamp Community Gardens

Make sure that you set up good and strong guidelines and have a democratic executive structure to keep the garden well maintained and smoothly run - Kathy Gole, Maple Community Gardens

Keep all PR and press information on the garden – you can use it to show public support - Maureen Ryan, Cypress Community Gardens


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Sources

City of Vancouver. “2,010 New Community Shared Garden Plots by 2010’. Social Planning Department. February 2007. Online: http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/socialplanning/initiatives/foodpolicy/projects/2010gardens.htm

Dixon, Terry. General Manager of Engineering Services, City of Vancouver. Personal

communications. 28 March 2007. Dobson, Charles. “The Citizen’s Handbook A guide to building community”. Vancouver

Citizen’s Committee. Dec 2006. Online: http://www.vcn.bc.ca/citizens-handbook/welcome.html

Gole, Cathy, Maple Community Gardens coordinator. Personal communications. 19 March

2007. Greenough, Mardel. Molehill Community Gardens coordinator. Personal communications. 18

March 2007. Kaethler, Terra. “Growing Space: the potential for Urban Agriculture in the City of

Vancouver”. School of Community and Regional Planning. UBC. August 2006. Online: http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/socialplanning/initiatives/foodpolicy/tools/pdf/Growing_Space_Rpt.pdf.

Kahn, Devorah. Dixon, Terry. “Community Garden Pilot Project’. Administrative report to

Vancouver City Council. Social Planning and Engineering Services Departments. 24 April 2006. Online: http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20060516/documents/a8.pdf

O'Brien, Jason, My Own Back Yard (MOBY) coordinator. Personal communications. 16

March 2007. Ryan, Maureen,. Cypress Community Gardens coordinator. Personal communications. 17

March 2007. Sobers, Mark. Frog Hollow Neighborhood House and Strathcona Gardens coordinator.

Personal communications. 17 March 2007. Vancouver Park Board. “Community Gardens Policy”. 19 Sept 2005. Online:

http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/info/policy/comgardnpolicy.htm West, Neville West,. West Point Grey Gardens coordinator. Personal communications. 15

March 2007. Westman, Niki. Tea Swamp Community Gardens coordinator. Personal communications. 17

March 2007.


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Our Thanks and Appreciation

This project would not have been possible without many people. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the following individuals that helped create this project and a year of fantastic learning. Thank you, Karen Wristen, Executive Director of SPEC, for creating the fantastic opportunity for us to do this consultation project. We are also very excited that SPEC is taking this package to the wider community, where we feel it can be of most value. Thank you for your willingness to talk about your experiences and to share with us your knowledge! It is your tried and true advice that peppers these pages.

Christine Boyle, Grandview Community Garden coordinator Devorah Kahn, City of Vancouver Food Policy Coordinator Jason O’Brien, MOBY Project coordinator Dr. Jolie Mayer-Smith, UBC Faculty of Education Intergenerational Landed Learning Project

Kathy Gole, Maple Community Garden Coordinator Juan Solorzano, Vancouver Parks Community Arts Program Assistant Mardel Greenough, Molehill Community Garden coordinator Mary Nola, Cottonwood Gardens community coordinator Maureen Ryan, Cypress Community Garden manager Megan Stuart-Stubbs, Vancouver Parks Community Arts Programmer Neville West, West Point Grey Community Garden coordinator Niki Westman, Tea Swamp Community Garden coordinator Terri Dixon, City of Vancouver General Manager of Engineering Services

A hearty and big thank you to you, dear reader and aspiring community gardener. We hope that this has been of some help to you and we look forward to seeing community gardens sprout around Vancouver! Our biggest thank you is for Dr. Kathrine Richardson, Professor of Geography 447. You created the space for us to dream, experiment, make mistakes, learn, and achieve. We would not have gotten here without your mentorship and guidance. Sincerely (from left to right),

Polly Ng Anjuli Solanki Jing Niu Gehron Burkholder

29

APPENDIX A: Contact List of Helpful People

Name Title Department Agency Address Telephone

Contact Email Notes Dr. Carol Christopher

Co-Chair Vancouver Food Policy Council

City of Vancouver Strathcona Room, City Hall 453 W 12th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Y 1V4

604.224.7322 [email protected]

Co-chair of the Council, which is a ‘forum for discussion and action towards building a food system that is ecologically sustainable, economically viable, and socially just’. The public are welcome to attend meetings, which are every 2nd Wednesday of the month. Carole is also a Master Gardener with a wealth of experience.

Devorah Kahn Food Policy Coordinator

Social Planning City of Vancouver #100-515 W. 10th Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4A8


Key city staff member working on urban agriculture and community gardens. Devorah can offer lots of information and resources to groups looking to start a garden and to students interested in doing an agriculture-related project.

Jason O'Brien Project Coordinator

Food Security Task Force

Richmond Poverty Response Committee

#7 – 12491 No. 2 Road, Richmond, BC V7E 2G3

604.205.4700 Or 604.271.5609

[email protected] or [email protected]

Consultant for the task force, which is a network of residents and organizations in Richmond working toward building food awareness and improving food resources. They are advocates for retaining Richmond ALR land for agriculture and community gardening.

Dr. Jolie Mayer-Smith

Associate Professor

UBC Department of Curriculum Studies

UBC Faculty of Education Intergenerational Landed Learning Project

#2216-2125 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC


Primary research of the program, which connects elementary school children with youth and elders with farming and gardening experience. Children learn how to garden and about environmental sustainability at the UBC Farm.

Juan Gabriel Solorzano

Program Assistant

Arts and Culture Vancouver Parks and Recreation

181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2W3

604.713.1861 [email protected] Liaison for the Neighbourhood Matching Fund. Juan works with the neighbourhood to develop applications

Karen Wristen Executive Director

Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC)

Non-governmental organization

2150 Maple St, Vancouver, BC, V6J 3T3

604.736.7732 [email protected] and [email protected]

Executive director of one of Vancouver’s main environmental organizations. SPEC works on a number of issues with a focus on local urban communities. They run a number of food security and urban agriculture-related projects.

Maureen Ryan Manager of Cypress Community Garden

Cypress Community Garden

Vancouver Community Garden

Arbutus Corridor along 6th Ave. between Cypress and Burrard, Vancouver, B.C.

N/A [email protected] and www.cypresscommunitygarden.ca

Garden member coordinator and a prominent resource in the community garden network

Megan Stuart-Stubbs

Community Arts Programm-er

Stanley District Vancouver Parks and Recreation

181 Roundhouse Mews, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2W3

604.257.8479 [email protected] and [email protected]

One of the main coordinators for the Neighbourhood Matching Fund


30 Mike Levenston Executive

Director City Farmer Non-governmental

organization 2150 Maple, Vancouver, BC, V6J 3T3

604.685.5832 garden hotline: 604.736.2250

[email protected]

Director of one of Vancouver’s oldest urban agriculture organizations. City Farmer runs a demonstration garden; numerous workshops on gardening and composting; and a gardening and composting hotline.

Neville West Garden Coordinator

West Point Grey Community Garden


West 8th and Trimble, Vancouver, B.C.


One of the main coordinators of West Point Grey Community Gardens

Niki Westman Garden Coordinator

Tea Swamp Community Garden


E.16th and Sophia, Vancouver, B.C”

604.872.7745 [email protected] Garden member coordinator

Susan Kurbis Manager Urban Agriculture and Greening

Environmental Youth Alliance

305 – 119 W. Pender St., Vancouver, B.C. V6B 1S5

604.689.4446 [email protected] A manager with EYA, a youth-driven non-profit ‘dedicated to the health of our urban environment, our planet, and the wellbeing of its people’. The organization is highly involved in urban agriculture.

Green Streets Program Coordinator

City of Vancouver Greenways department

City of Vancouver 453 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Y 1V4


Coordinator of the City of Vancouver’s Neighbourhood Greenways program.


31

APPENDIX B: Urban Agriculture Site Analysis Template

Part I: Preliminary Analysis The purpose of preliminary analysis is to assess whether urban agriculture is possible in a given community. The requirements listed below must be met, to establish that urban agriculture is possible and desired, before moving onto more detailed analyses. We recommend that analysis be carried out in the order listed. While a physical space and resources are necessary, gardening and farming are carried out by people so the most fundamental component is the presence of interested and supportive members of the community willing to take on the project.

• Social: is there desire and adequate social support for urban agriculture in the community?

• Physical: is there available, accessible, and adequate space for urban agriculture? • Resources: are there sufficient human resources (e.g. commitment of time, labour)

and money to transform the space into the community’s vision for urban agriculture?

Part II: Further Analysis The purpose of further analysis is to provide a guide on how to initiate an urban agriculture project and to identify key social, physical, and economic considerations necessary for successful implementation. There is no particular order in which to carry out these analyses; we envision that it will be an organic process dictated by the needs and abilities of those involved. See appendix need a letter for an example of a more detailed step-by-step guide on how to start a community garden.

Social Analysis

Analysis Goals Looks like

A. Consultation

Community involvement

- gauging opinions; obtaining reactions or options; co-

thinking

Assess the degree of

neighbourhood support

- focus group studies; surveys; talking to neighbourhood associations, community centers, co-ops, apartments, local social organizations’ seeking volunteers

Identify cultural

perspectives on agriculture

- identify different cultural attitudes and perspectives on agriculture, gardening

- talk to different cultural groups and organisations - address negative attitudes and perspectives - use positive attitudes and perspectives to ‘market’

urban agriculture, gardening

Identify potential user groups of

site

- outreach to schools, churches, seniors program, apartment/co-op housing, people with farming and gardening experience

- e.g. possibility of educational program that can be


32

run relative to site

Determine legal feasibility of site

- e.g. tenure situation of site

Cost-benefit analysis for community

- assess possible benefits and negative effects to community

- e.g. importance of creating social capital and health food sources

- e.g. possible disruptive factors for community (e.g. aesthetic considerations, noise level, traffic access)

B. Partnership Community

engagement - in-depth thinking by citizens about key public policy

issues - citizen perspectives and values should inform policy

and decision-making process - co-operating; co-defining; co-production

C. Deliberation Place final decision-making in the hands of

the public

- co-decision - planning - e.g. organise structure of management body - e.g. management policies - e.g. rough estimate of time and money needed to run

site for the next 5-10 years

Physical Analysis

Analysis Components Site history Historical uses:

- who has used it and for what purpose - possible sources of contamination Current uses - who is using it and for what purpose

Detailed physical

assessment

- size of area - soil: composition, structure, depth, nutrients, pollutants - water : availability, supply, access - slope - drainage - exposure : light, wind, runoff - presence of invasive species, noxious weeds, pests - space for structures (e.g. storage units, compost bins)

Physical surroundings

- sewage, water and transportation systems - e.g. proximity to public transportation, presence of bike racks

Accessibility and safety

- accessible for all existing and potential users - features to create a safe environment

Garden design - layout of plots, walkways, infrastructure, other features


33

Economic Analysis

Types of Costs Components Social analysis Consultation meetings (e.g. daycare, food, posters)

Physical analysis - soil testing

- evaluation of physical surroundings

Making site “garden-able”

- connecting site to water system - conversion or amelioration of existing ground cover - agricultural inputs (e.g. compost, manure) - building materials and gardening supplies - labour (e.g. volunteer and paid) - other features desired by the community

Other - wage of project manager


CITY OF VANCOUVER

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Report Date: April 24, 2006 Author: Devorah Kahn /

Terry Dixon Phone No.: 871.6324 / 873.7204 RTS No.: 05783 VanRIMS No.: 13-4000-30 Meeting Date: May 16, 2006 TO: Vancouver City Council

FROM: Director of Social Planning and General Manager of Engineering Services

SUBJECT: Community Garden Pilot Project

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Council allocate the Community Amenity Contribution of $22,475 from the re-development of 1875 West 75th Avenue to a Greenways Project account to be used for the development of Community Gardens at three (3) specific sites as identified in the report. (Source of the funding is allocation of funds approved for this purpose by Council on September 15, 2005.)

B. THAT Council approve a community garden pilot project and Draft Community Garden Operational Guidelines for Land other than City Parks as described in Appendix A.

C. THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Director of Social Planning, be given standing authority to enter into community garden user agreements with the non-profit organizations selected to be part of the pilot project.

CITY MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The City Manager supports RECOMMENDATIONS A, B & C

COUNCIL POLICY

Sustainability Policy In April 2002, the City adopted a formal position, definition and principles on sustainability which in part, states that “Sustainability requires integrated decision making that takes into

A8

Community Garden Pilot Project 2

account economic, ecological, and social impacts as a whole.” On May 24, 2005, Council further approved a definition of Social Sustainability to be used for developing the social component of the City’s sustainability objectives. Food Policy On July 8, 2003, Council approved a motion supporting the development of a just and sustainable food system for the City of Vancouver that fosters equitable food production, distribution, consumption, nutrition, community development, and environmental health. On December 11, 2003, Council approved a Food Action Plan (www.vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20031209/221.htm) consisting of five (5) specific action items to be developed by the Vancouver Food Policy Council and staff. One of the five action items called for the creation of more community gardens on currently unused City land, other than park land.

SUMMARY

In September 2005, City Council approved the allocation of a Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) of $22,475 to be used for urban agriculture across the city. Urban agriculture is an umbrella term that refers to activities involving the production, processing or marketing of food on land and water in urban and peri-urban areas. In Vancouver, this includes community and private gardens, edible landscaping, fruit trees, roof top gardens, farmers markets, hobby beekeeping, and composting. The City owns a number of currently unoccupied properties that have great potential for urban agricultural activities such as community gardens. Community gardening and other forms of urban agriculture provide a number of positive social, educational and environmental impacts in neighbourhoods. Staff recommend using the CAC designated for urban agriculture to develop a community garden pilot project managed under operational guidelines outlined in Appendix A.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to seek Council’s approval to: • Commence a community garden pilot project managed under the Draft Community

Garden Operational Guidelines for Land other than City Parks (Appendix A), • Allocate a Community Amenity Contribution of $22,475 to a Greenways Project

account to develop urban agriculture at 3 specific sites chosen for the pilot project and,

• Grant standing authority to the General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Director of Social Planning, to enter into community garden user agreements with the non-profit organizations selected to be part of the pilot project.

BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION

On September 15, 2005 Council approved a motion supporting an exception to the rezoning and removal of 1875 West 75th Avenue from the Agricultural Land Reserve in exchange for


100% of the Community Amenity Contribution ($22,475) being utilized for urban agriculture amenities across the City. The City of Vancouver owns properties slated for future development or identified as street and transportation rights-of-way. These properties sit vacant in a variety of locations and settings; from busy corner lots to vibrant neighbourhoods. Often these unused properties attract refuse or low level criminal activity. Using these properties for urban agricultural purposes until further development, offers residents or local community agencies community and/or capacity building opportunities. By increasing the number of urban agricultural opportunities on currently unused City land, the City can benefit from a number of cost savings. Potential savings include reduced storm-water management costs, reduced waste removal fees (by using composted organic waste and reducing illegal dumping), and reductions in emissions and transportation costs (food travels shorter distances to consumers, consumers travel shorter distances to grow or purchase it). Over the past decade the Vancouver School Board and the Vancouver Park Board have both played important roles in developing and maintaining food-related initiatives at the local level. The Vancouver School Board delivers school breakfast and lunch programs and has many school gardens on their properties. The Vancouver Park Board has played a key role in community garden development and has eleven community gardens in parks. While the Vancouver Park Board has its own policy regarding the operation of community gardens on their properties, there are currently no city-wide guidelines to direct the operation of gardens on sites other than park land. Engineering Services gives permits to four established community gardens on Engineering property and to 42 individuals with allotment plots on the East Boulevard street right-of-way. These gardens operate under permit conditions created for each particular situation rather than a universal set of operational guidelines. Agreements also exist with community garden groups near the Joyce Street and Broadway SkyTrain stations through leases with Translink, and at Mole Hill through the Housing Centre. 1. Benefits of Community Gardens Community gardening and other forms of urban agriculture provide positive social, educational and environmental impacts in neighbourhoods. These include community bonding, community revitalization, an enriched sense of identity and belonging through increased social interaction, intergenerational interaction, opportunities for youth engagement, employment training and job creation, crime prevention, creation of bio-diversity, providing an inexpensive way for people with low incomes to grow food, and decreasing some of the energy consumed and pollution produced in providing food to city residents. With today’s food travelling an average of 2,400 kilometers from farms to our kitchens, community gardens decrease the production of greenhouse gases by keeping food growth closer to home. Most places, including Vancouver, include citizens who lack access to sufficient food, leaving many to rely on emergency food supplies. While emergency food services are available in Vancouver, the key to food security is to move away from a food system that requires such


services. Rather than providing food through emergency or charitable means, which often leads to inadequate nutrition, community gardens and urban agriculture are central to an approach that increases individual and community self-sufficiency and allows for accessing food with dignity. The presence of community gardens discourages criminal behaviour and vandalism. A green and groomed community garden shows that residents care about the property and each other. 2. Current Situation in Vancouver Since the Park Board approved a community garden policy in 1995, additional community gardens have been established or expanded. Even with the notable successes of the existing policy, it is clear that there is a great untapped opportunity to further develop community gardens and other forms of urban agriculture in Vancouver. A number of Canadian cities make far better use of their opportunities for urban agriculture. For example, a recent study indicates that the City of Montreal has 75 operating community garden sites, containing 6,654 allotment plots, which are gardened by approximately 10,000 residents (1.5% of the city's adult population). Furthermore, the City of Montreal has created an official zoning designation for 13 garden sites protecting them in perpetuity. Vancouver has 18 operating community garden sites, containing 950 allotment plots, which are gardened by approximately 1500 residents (0.4% of the city's population) and can be found on park, school, city and transit owned land. The current availability of community gardens in Vancouver is inadequate to keep up with the demand for them. While some community gardens in the city are able to accommodate new gardeners, wait-lists average at over twenty people per garden. Prospective community gardeners in Vancouver often wait up to a year or longer to receive a garden plot. Five out of six neighbourhoods that have completed the CityPlan Community Visioning Program have suggested that the greening of parks, streets, and public spaces could be augmented through the creation of community gardens. Population growth in Vancouver - currently averaging 6,000 people in the city every year - is accommodated in new housing created largely through redevelopment and infill. As densification proceeds, an increasing number of people may not have access to their own yards nor have a place to garden or grow food. These statistics, and demand for easily accessible green space and community gardens will increase while available land decreases. 3. Proposed Community Garden Pilot Project The Park Board Community Gardens Policy has been very successful in guiding community garden development on park land. However, competing activities and the challenge of providing park space for all users, limits the scope of community gardens in parks. While the Park Board Community Gardens Policy helped inform the proposed operational guidelines (Appendix A), Vancouver’s Food Policy mandate and Food Action Plan call for several additional factors to be considered; factors that include identifying a community garden as a piece of public land used by a non-profit society to grow food products for their members’ benefit through cooking programs or economic development opportunities. Input was also acquired from a variety of other community sources.


In order to assess the successes and challenges of working within the operational guidelines, and to determine the value of creating a community garden policy that will encompass those existing gardens currently operating under other agreements (excluding parks), it is proposed that a community garden pilot project be established. This will allow Engineering (Greenways) and Social Planning (Food Policy) staff to review land inventory, site requirements, appropriate user groups, start-up requirements and costs, community consultation strategies and staffing. The pilot project will be managed within current staffing levels. Costs associated with starting a community garden pilot project are: preparing the land by removing unwanted vegetation and debris, adding compost, and providing a water connection. These costs range from $6000 to $8000 per garden depending on the size of the property and the complexity of bringing water to the site. Resources are also needed to mentor individuals with no knowledge of gardening or setting up community gardens. Building raised beds, fencing, pathways and other community garden infrastructure would be the responsibility of the non-profit groups chosen to manage the community gardens. By allocating the Community Amenity Contribution of $22,475 to a Capital account, funding will be in place to develop 3 new community gardens, contribute to the necessary skill building of groups of individuals, and support associated urban agriculture activities. The following City-owned lots have been identified as pilot project community garden development sites. All costs are approximate and will remain within the overall budget:

(a) Clark Drive and Broadway (1290 E Broadway) – this 11m x 37m lot on the southwest corner is an Engineering Capital asset purchased for road in 1995. It was identified in the Clark/Knight Corridor Plan (March 2005) as the location for a temporary green space with benches, pathways and landscaping in order to clean up the site until the City is able to integrate this parcel as part of future redevelopment. A community garden plan would incorporate these previously approved elements. Community use would be temporary with terms to be specified in a user agreement. Projected start-up costs are $6000 which include: (i) Clearing the land - approx $1000, (ii) Providing a water connection - approx $5000, (iii) Providing compost –Landfill donation

(b) West 6th Ave, north side, from Burrard St to east of Pine St – Similar to the existing Cypress and Maple Community Gardens west of Burrard St, this garden would encompass the north boulevard of the 1600 and 1700 blocks of West 6th Ave. A water connection for both blocks would be provided by the same works crew, saving some installation costs. East of Pine St the land has already been cleared and would not require further work. Estimated cost is $10,000 which includes: (i) Clearing the land – approx $2000 (ii) Providing a water connection to each block – approx $8,000 (iii) Providing compost – Landfill donation

(c) East Boulevard, west side from 57th Ave to 64 m north – The Arbutus Victory Garden on East Boulevard at 50th, next to the railway tracks, started during WWII and over the years, has expanded to include dozens of allotment plots between 50th and 57th Avenues. The section north of 57th is one of the few remaining on the East Boulevard street right-of-way that is not occupied by existing allotment plots. The property is directly across from the St Faith’s


Church rectory. A 1985 City Council approved condition of gardening on East Boulevard is that the gardener must have the written permission of the resident across the street. The church minister has given permission in the past, but the compacted soil and lack of water access has discouraged gardeners from continuing. The area could be divided into garden plots for approximately 12 new gardeners. Estimated start-up costs for this 64m x 5m property are $6000, including: (i) Clearing the land – approx $1000 (ii) Providing a water connection – approximately $5000 (iii) Providing compost – Landfill donation

A decision regarding the governance of these sites as community gardens will be made based on public consultation and further analysis of appropriate criteria. Similar to Park Board’s Community Gardens Policy, the Draft Community Garden Operational Guidelines for Land other than City Parks (Appendix A), defines a community garden as a community development initiative operated by a non-profit society. The guidelines propose that the City enter into a user agreement with each non-profit organization, outlining their management responsibilities and terms of use. It is therefore suggested that Council grant standing authority for Engineering staff (since all three identified sites are associated with Engineering) in consultation with Social Planning, to enter into user agreements with the non-profit organizations selected to manage the pilot project community gardens. Results of the community garden pilot project and the Draft Community Garden Operational Guidelines for Land other than City Parks will be reported back to Council after the new community gardens have been in operation for one full growing season.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Financial implications are limited to the transfer of the Community Amenity Contribution of $22,475 into a Greenways Project account for urban agriculture amenities, including a community garden pilot project. The non-profit organizations chosen to operate the pilot community gardens will assume all maintenance responsibilities and associated operating costs. There are no financial implications from a staff perspective as the pilot project will be managed within current staffing levels. Future community garden development and staffing requirements will be assessed with a report back after the first full growing season.

CONCLUSION

Staff recommend the approval of a community garden pilot project managed under the Draft Community Garden Operational Guidelines for Land other than City Parks (Appendix A) to be developed and implemented with the allocation of a Community Amenity Contribution of $22,475 at the three (3) specific sites identified in the report.

* * * * *


APPENDIX A Draft Community Garden Operational Guidelines for Land Other Than City Parks Definition: The City of Vancouver recognizes community gardening as a valuable recreational activity that can contribute to community development, environmental awareness, positive social interaction and community education. The City recognizes that community garden development is a community driven process and will collaborate with interested groups in assisting the development of new community gardens. For the purposes of these guidelines, a community garden is defined as a place where people grow and maintain plants on City-owned property as a community development and environmental enrichment initiative operated by a non-profit society. Residential boulevard gardens, Green Streets Program gardens and beautification projects are not included in this definition of community gardens. Community gardens may exist in any area of the city and may be: • A piece of public land used by a non-profit society to produce edible and ornamental

plants for the personal use of society members and/or; • A piece of public land used by a non-profit society to grow food products for their

members’ benefit through cooking programs or City approved economic development training opportunities;

featuring one or more of the following: • A community development program which encourages the involvement of local

schools, youth groups, senior citizens and others who do not have an assigned plot in gardening activities;

• An environmental enrichment program which offers demonstration activities to encourage urban agriculture outside of community gardens;

• Promotes an increase in environmental biodiversity and understanding of local food production;

• Contributes to growing food for charitable purposes; • Represents the diversity of the community in which the community garden is located. 1. Clause One: The City will support the development of community gardens in Vancouver by:

(a) Providing access to information on the development and operation of community gardens;

(b) Assisting interested groups in searching for suitable land for the development of community gardens;

(c) Assisting with the development of a city-wide umbrella organization to support the creation of new gardens and provide support and networking opportunities for existing community gardens.

2. Clause Two: Once a suitable City-owned site has been located for a community garden, the following conditions will apply:

(a) The garden is developed and maintained at no cost to the City, except that prior to the first season, the City will, at its cost, prepare the site for planting


by removing undesirable vegetation, adding compost and bringing water to the site;

(b) A community consultation process, jointly undertaken by the non-profit society and the City, indicates neighbourhood support for the garden;

(c) A garden site plan must be approved by City staff. The plan must include the layout of the plots and indicate any proposed structures or fences;

(d) A non-profit society (the “Society”) agrees to develop and operate the garden according to a user’s agreement which will specify the terms of use, management responsibilities and access procedures including the following specific terms: (i) The standard term of the user agreement will be 5 years unless the

specific terms of use dictate otherwise or the Society has failed to demonstrate the ability to manage and maintain the garden;

(ii) Longer terms are warranted in circumstances deemed relevant or where the Society can demonstrate that the standard five year term would significantly restrict the Society's ability to: (1) Comply with City policies and direction; (2) Conduct community outreach programming beyond the Society’s

members; (3) Implement a long term plan; (4) Execute significant approved site improvements.

(iii) Allotments of space must be made from a waiting list on a first come, first served basis with preference to those with no garden plots elsewhere;

(iv) Membership in the garden’s Society and the opportunity to be allotted a plot must be open to any resident of Vancouver with preference given to residents of the neighbourhood in which the garden is located;

(v) Organic gardening and integrated pest management practices are to be followed. No synthetic pesticides or fertilizers are to be used;

(vi) Allotment fees charged by the society must be reported to the City; (vii) The Society must adhere to maintenance standards set by the City; (viii) No locked barriers to general public access to the site can be erected; (ix) Garden practices shall comply with all City policies and by-laws.

Although located on public property with the prior approval of the City, community gardens are operated by volunteers from the community.

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Nutrient Management Nutrient Management Factsheet - No. 7 in Series Order No. 631.500-7

October 2005

BRITISH COLUMBIA AGRICULTURAL TESTING LABORATORIES

The following is a list of laboratories that do agricultural testing. For each laboratory, the type of analysis offered is listed by the following code: ♦ S = basic soil ♦ C= crop or tissue ♦ M = manure ♦ W = water quality

For the purposes of developing a Nutrient Management Plan, only the basic soil fertility, crop quality, and manure nutrient analysis are required. However, most laboratories offer a variety of additional services. If other services are required, the laboratories should be contacted directly.

Grotek Analytical Lab 9850 201st Street, Langley BC V1M 4A3 Phone: (604) 882-7699 Fax: (604) 882-7659 Toll free: 1-888-747-4769 Email: [email protected] Web Page: http://www.grotek.net ♦ Analysis offered: S, C, M, W MB Laboratories Ltd. By Courier: 2062 West Henry Ave, Sidney BC V8L 5Y1 By Mail PO Box 2103, Sidney BC V8L 3S6 Phone: (250) 656-1334 Fax: (250) 656-0443 Email: [email protected] Web Page: http://www.mblabs.com ♦ Analysis offered: S, C, M, W Norwest Soil Research Inc. Suite 104, 19575 - 55A Avenue Surrey, B.C. V3S 8P8 Phone: (604) 514-3322 Fax: (604) 514-3323 Toll free: 1-800-889-1433 Email: [email protected] Web Page: http://www.norwestlabs.com ♦ Analysis offered: S, C, M, W

Pacific Soil Analysis 5 – 11720 Voyageur Way, Richmond, B.C. V6X 3G9 Phone: (604) 273-8226 Fax: (604) 273-8082 ♦ Analysis offered: S, M Plant Science Lab (TerraLink Horticulture Inc.) 464 Riverside Road, Abbotsford, BC, V2S 7M1 Phone: 604-864-9044 Fax: 604-864-8418 Toll Free: 1-800-661-4559 Email: [email protected] Web Page: http://www.terralink-horticulture.com ♦ Analysis offered: S, C, W Soilcon Laboratories Ltd. (affiliate of Cantest) 275 – 11780 River Road, Richmond, B.C. V6X 1Z7 Phone: (604) 278-5535 Fax: (604) 278-0517 Email: [email protected] Web Page: http://www.soilconlabs.com ♦ Analysis offered: S

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BRANCH Orlando Schmidt, PAg Geoff Hughes-Games, PAg Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Phone: (604) 556-3101 Phone: (604) 556-3102 1767 Angus Campbell Road Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Abbotsford, BC V3G 2M3

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.grotek.net/


http://www.mblabs.com/


http://www.norwestlabs.com/


http://www.terralink-horticulture.com/


http://www.soilconlabs.com/

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APPENDIX E: Other Soil Testing Laboratories Listed on the Canadian Gardening Website: http://www.canadiangardening.com/cg_soiltesting.shtml

Laboratory Location Phone Contact Website

Griffin Labs Corp.

1875 Spall Rd. Kelowna, B.C. V1Y 4R2

250-765-3399

www.grifflabs.com

M&B Research & Development

P.O. Box 2103,

Sydney, B.C. V8L 3S6

250-656-1334

www.mblabs.com

Norwest Soilcon Labs

#104, 19575-56A Ave. Surrey, B.C. V3S 8P8

604-514-3322

1-800- 889-1433

www.norwestlabs.com

Listed on Building BC Website: http://www.buildingbc.com/specialties/soil_testing/soil_testa.htm (note: site geared towards professional trades, engineers, architects, and construction)

Laboratory Location Phone Contact Terra Engineering Ltd #12 - 34220 South Fraser Way

Abbotsford, B.C. 604-874-1245 604-857-9472

Agra Earth & Environmental 2227 Douglas Road Burnaby, B.C.

604-294-3811

Metro Testing Laboratories #101 - 6976 Russell Road Burnaby, B.C.

604-436-9111

Construction Testing and Inspection #411 - 1952 Kingsway Point Coquitlam, B.C.

604-941-5594

Ross Testing & Inspection Services Ltd. 6260 142nd Street Surrey, B.C.

604-594-1744


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Soil Order No. 611.100-1 Agdex 533 Revised November 2003

SOIL SAMPLING

WHY SAMPLE ? Soil testing is a useful tool for determining fertility requirements for crops. A regular sampling program can also track the trends and efficiency of a fertilizer program. A soil testing program should be coupled with feed or plant tissue testing for a more complete pool of information from which the producer can make crop management decisions. The value of the soil test is only as good as the method used to take the soil sample. It is important to be accurate in collecting the samples and in recording information about each sample. Before sampling, you should consult your British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries crop production guide or the British Columbia soil testing laboratory of your choice for any specific information regarding sampling procedures, sample collecting containers or fees. WHEN TO SAMPLE ? In most areas of the province the best time to soil sample is either spring or fall, however, in the South Coastal Region of the province a late spring soil sample is most useful. As a general rule it is best to soil sample a couple of weeks prior to the start of any

seedbed preparation. Perennial crops, such as forage and pasture or berries and tree fruits, should have soil sampling done just prior to the beginning of a new flush of growth in the spring. In the South Coastal Region, recent research in forage corn has developed the PSNT (or Presidedress Nitrogen Test). This is a soil test to determine the corn crop’s sidedress nitrogen requirements. The soil is sampled to 30 cm at the centre of the corn row in late June (when the corn plants are 20 - 30 cm tall). Other work in raspberries (Post-Harvest Soil Nitrate Test) indicates that a late - summer soil test for nitrogen will give the best indication of nitrogen status of the soil and provide an estimate of the crop nitrogen requirement for the following season. In the regions of the province that are cooler and drier in the winter than the South Coastal Region, fall soil sampling is ideal as it allows the producer to make soil fertility management decisions with out having the pressure of an imminent cropping season. When the nutrient symptoms or other growth problems occur during the growing season, two samples should be taken, one each from the poor growth and the good growth areas. These samples should be rushed to the laboratory so recommendations for any corrective action can be made rapidly.

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WHAT TO SAMPLE ? The following steps should be taken when collecting soil samples. 1. Gather clean sampling equipment including a

probe, auger or shovel and at least one plastic bucket for collection and mixing of the cores. When taking samples for micronutrient analysis disposable gloves should be worn to keep sweat from contaminating the sample.

2. Obtain the appropriate soil sampling bags or

boxes from the lab of your choice or use small plastic or paper bags.

3. Make a simple map of your farm and identify

each field or portion of a field which is to be sampled with a number or letter (Figure 1). An area to be sampled may vary in size from a backyard to no more than 10 hectares. Areas in any field that are different due to appearance, fertilization or cropping practice, soil type, slope, or drainage should be sampled separately. Care should be taken to avoid small, low, wet areas, dead furrows, and areas close to trees, roads and fence lines unless these areas are of particular importance to the sampling program. Do not sample near manure piles (new or old), fertilizer storage or fertilizer bands or livestock droppings. Samples should be taken from fields or portions of fields that are reasonably uniform and can be managed as one unit. (Figure 2)

4. Record all pertinent information about the area

sampled as soon as the sample is collected.

Figure 1 Basic Farm Map Example

This information should include cropping history and desired crops to be grown, any recent fertilizer or soil amendment applications and any information relevant to the reason for the collection of the soil sample. HOW TO SAMPLE ? Soil samples are usually taken from the top 15 - 20 centimeters of the soil for most cultivated crops as this is the zone that is normally tilled and contains the major portion of the crop’s roots. Sampling should be done with the tool that is most appropriate for the soil conditions. If the soil is stony or wet an auger or shovel will work better than a tube type soil probe. Regardless of the implement chosen, the implement and the sampling bucket should be clean. To begin sampling remove excess plant residues. When using a shovel create a V-shaped hole and slice a 2 - 3 cm thick slice down one side to a depth of 15 - 20 cm. Trim this slice on either side to form a 2 - 3 cm wide core and place this in the sample bucket (Figure 3). This core is an individual sample that will be used to create the final composite sample. When using a probe, push the tube into the soil to the desired sample depth and collect the individual sample (Figure 4). Take 10 to 20 individual samples from each sampling area. For fields up to 10 hectares in size, a minimum of 20 individual samples is suggested. Figure 2 Random Sampling Pattern

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Figure 3 Shovel Method of Soil Sampling Sampling for specific purposes such as concerns over long term management of defined areas within a field or the impact of soil amendment applications may require modified sample collection procedures. Consult with a professional agrologist on alternative soil sampling strategies. Once all the individual samples have been collected in the bucket, break up the lumps and remove the stones. Make sure the soil is completely mixed and then remove about 500 grams or 500 milliliters and place this composite soil sample in the soil sample box or bag. It is at this time that any splitting of the samples should be done. The sample container should now be ready to be sealed. The labeling on the sample should be the same as on the rough map of the farm or field for the benefit of the laboratory, producer or farm advisor. If the sample is quite moist it should be air dried before it is sent to the lab unless it is to be hand delivered within a few hours of collection. Moist samples can incubate in warm conditions such as post offices, bus depots and the inside of warm vehicles thus changing the chemistry of the soil. Soil samples should not be treated like dirt! When packing the composite samples for shipment ensure they are securely wrapped and that each sample is labeled with a sample number and the name of the farm.

Figure 4 Probe Method of Soil Sampling The rough field map and all pertinent information regarding the sample should be sent along with the sample, but do not enclose it inside the soil sample box or bag. Keep a copy of all information sent to the lab for your own records. SUMMARY Soil sampling is a useful farm management tool but it is important to keep in mind the soil test results are only as accurate as the sampling technique and the records kept on each sample. A good soil fertility program requires regular soil sampling and accurate record keeping, but it may also require feed or plant tissue testing as well. A sampling program that includes the preparation of a farm map each year outlining the location of each sample and the crop management practices that were associated with each field is recommended. Once you have chosen a soil testing lab it is a good idea to stick with that lab, because each individual lab has its own “soil testing philosophy” for the determination of soil nutrient levels and also for the interpretations and recommendations that come from the test results.

NOTE:

15 cm = 6 inches 30 cm = 1 foot 10 ha = 25 acres 500 grams = 1 pound

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MONITORING CHANGES IN SOIL QUALITY Soil testing is a useful tool for monitoring changes to many physical, chemical and biological characteristics of a soil or site. Sampling protocols for baseline monitoring can use the random sampling method described in the previous discussion. A different sampling procedure is required to observe changes in characteristics which result from the application of organic residual materials or non agricultural waste products. The protocol must be able to assist in the assessment of changes over time and as a result of the addition of the amendment not changes due to the spatial variability of soils present on the application site. An example would be monitoring for heavy metal build up or changes in organic matter concentration.

One such sampling protocol that is recommended is best described as a modified stratified random sampling system. The system requires that at least 3 (preferably 5) discrete sampling points be located and fixed geographically within the site. At each of these sampling points 10 to 20 random sub-samples are collected from within a 3 to 5 meter radius of the point. The sub-samples are collected into one composite sample. Sampling depths will vary with the parameters or constituents be assessed. ie for heavy metal monitoring 0 - 15 cm and 15- 30 cm, for organic matter concentration only the tillage layer or a depth of 20 cm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT BRANCH Geoff Hughes-Games, PAg, Provincial Soil Specialist Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Phone: (604) 556-3102 1767 Angus Campbell Road Email: [email protected] Abbotsford, B.C. CANADA V3G 2M3

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APPENDIX G: Vancouver Landfill Compost Sales

The City of Vancouver sells compost products which are produced at the Yard and Garden Trimmings Composting Facility at the Vancouver Landfill. Product Screened Compost: most often used by the backyard gardener • $10/m³ with minimum $5 charge, up to 5m³ • $6/m³ more than 5m³

Small quantities of compost can be picked up from the Landfill. Shovels are available on site, but you will need to bring your own containers. A loader is available to load residential vehicles anytime between 7:30 am and 4:45 pm daily at the Residential Drop Off area. For quantities over 11 m³, a loader is available from 7:30 am and 5:00 pm daily at the Composting site. Large quantities of compost can be delivered. An 11 m³ dump truck load costs $231.12 (which includes load, GST and delivery). For customers wanting to share a load, compost can be dumped in two locations for an additional charge provided they are reasonably close to each other. For quantities of compost less than 6 m³, payment is at the weighscales. For quantities of compost greater than 6 m³, please contact the Landfill Administration Office at 604.940.3213. Requests for compost donations are typically granted for community-based projects, such as community gardens, and for public projects on public lands in Vancouver and Delta. Compost is provided free of charge to groups with non-profit status. Please call 604.940.3213 for more information or to make arrangements for delivery.


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APPENDIX H: Template Donation Letter To [Store or Dealer Name]: [Name of Garden group], is a community driven project that is working towards creating a community garden in the ____ area. We feel that this community creating endeavor is important to our community for the following reasons:

[List how the neighborhood will benefit from a community garden: below are some rough examples] • Creates public space for the community to enjoy, and engages the community • Makes the neighborhood safer; as there are more citizens out and about • Encourages people to become active in creating healthy communities • Increases food security • Beautifies the neighborhood

Your donation of [enter product here] will enable us to [build a fence; purchase tools; connect water] making our dream of a community garden in this neighborhood become a reality. In recognition of your companies donation we will acknowledge this particular contribution by:

[List ways in which the company etc. will benefit from donating a product to the garden] • Naming [your company] in our annual newsletter • Placing the logo of your business on the website/blogspot • Placing the logo of your business on our notice board

We have selected [name of company] in particular because of your commitment to community, environment and socially sustainable values. Your donation is an investment in the neighborhood and will contribute to a solid foundation of our community’s garden. Thank you, [Names]


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APPENDIX I: Grants and Funding Most funding and granting sources require the instigator of projects to have non-profit or charitable status or be partnered with a non-profit society. To save yourself time and effort, thoroughly read the requirements of the potential grant or funding source before you decide to apply for it. Make sure to check deadline dates, as most grants are time sensitive. Also, when applying for a grant or for funding it is important to show that the community supports the “growth” of a community garden. Letters and petitions from neighbours and local groups can help demonstrate this support. The following sources have brief outlines on what they are and what they require. However, these may change over time or may adopt a clause that makes it a nonviable funding source for your community garden. 1. BC Healthy Communities

Website: http://www.bchealthycommunities.ca/content/home.asp

Organisation Description: BC Healthy Communities is part of the international Healthy Cities/Healthy Communities movement. We support communities and community groups that are taking a holistic and integrated approach to increasing the health, well-being and healthy development in their communities. Contact Information: For more information about BCHC and to find out how we might be able to support your efforts to create a healthier community, please contact us at our Central Office in Victoria, or call the Regional Facilitator for your area. Vancouver Coastal Region Facilitator: Julie Clark

Phone: 604-886-7456 Toll Free: 1-888-356-0892 ext 4 Email: [email protected] 2. Central City Foundation

Website: http://www.centralcityfoundation.ca/grantprograms.html

Organisation Description: Supporting safe affordable housing and programs that enhance the lives of people in need in the inner city Grant Information: Twice a year the Central City Mission Foundation entertains grant applications from a myriad of not-for-profit groups providing a vast array of services to Vancouver's inner-city.


51

• Grant Range: Maximum allowable grant is $30,000 • Criteria: Preference will be given to organizations that are registered Canadian

charities with a federal charitable tax number and are a registered B.C Society. • Limitations: Grants will not be awarded to political organizations, for deficit financing,

ongoing operating funds, staffing costs, endowment funds, general fundraising campaigns, amateur sports, conferences, workshops or seminars. Organizations may only apply to the Central City Foundation once a year.

• Application Procedures: Please contact the President and CEO directly to determine if your project may qualify. If so, you will be requested to submit a Letter of Intent. You will be asked to complete an application form only if your project is deemed suitable. Submitted materials become the property of the Central City Foundation.

• Application deadlines are twice a year on May 1st and November 1st.

3. Center for Sustainability - Partners in Organizational Development

(POD)

Website: http://www.centreforsustainability.ca/programs/ Organisation Description: The Centre for Sustainability delivers Partners in Organizational Development (POD), a technical assistance granting program for not-for-profit organizations in British Columbia. Funding Description: There are currently 3 POD programs: • Social ServicesPOD for health and social service organizations (previously known as

POD) • ArtsPOD for arts and heritage organizations • EnviroPOD for environmental organizations

Sample Application: http://www.centreforsustainability.ca/programs/2007_EnviroPOD_Program_Description_and_Guidelines.doc

4. Coast Capital Savings

Website: https://www.coastcapitalsavings.com/About_Coast_Capital_Savings/Helping_Communities/Community_Funding/

Funding Description: Coast Capital Savings has a variety of different funding opportunities; however, the Coast Community Fund appears to be the one most applicable to community gardens. Many different community gardens have mentioned Coast Capital Savings and other local credit


52

unions as being helpful in providing some start up money. It is a good idea to approach other credit unions that might be in the community.

5. Columbia Basin Trust – Community Development Program

Website: http://www.cbt.org/programs/main.asp?ProgramID=262&fl=5

Organisation Description: To ensure the Columbia Basin Trust builds capacity within the Basin in ways that are consistent with the CBT’s mandate of supporting the efforts of the people of the Basin to create a legacy of social, economic and environmental well being and to achieve greater self sufficiency’s for present and future generations.

__________________________________________________________________________

6. EcoAction: A Community Funding Program

Website: http://www.pyr.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction/appguide_e.htm \

Program Description: EcoAction is an Environment Canada funding program that helps groups carry out action-oriented projects that protect or improve the environment in their community.

Funding Description: Contact the EcoAction office for your province or territory before you get started. It can offer some work-saving tips and materials that can help you, including: • sample applications • examples of previously funded projects • a guide to help you develop your project that provides information on setting

objectives, evaluating your project and developing partnerships. • identifying other sources of funding

Contact Information:

Phone (Greater Vancouver): 604-664-9093 Toll-free in BC & Yukon: 1-800-667-7779 Fax: 604-713-9527

Email: [email protected] 7. Evergreen

Website: http://www.evergreen.ca/en/


53

Organisation Description: The charity supports nature in urban spaces and has a project registry which helps similar projects share information. They would also be a good organisation to connect with others doing similar projects. Funding Description: They provide information on other funding opportunities and proposal writing tips. They also provide funding for school related gardens. http://www.evergreen.ca/en/lg/lg-funding.html. Sample application http://www.evergreen.ca/en/lg/pdf/0607_SampleApplication.pdf Contact Information:

Location: #404-134 Abbott St. Vancouver V6B 2K4 Phone: 604-689-0766 E-mail: [email protected]

8. Evergreen Partnership Grants

Website: http://www.evergreen.ca/en/cg/cg-funding.html Grant Information:

• Wal-Mart & Evergreen Green Grants provide up to $10,000 and support community gardening projects that involve native plants and food gardening.

• The Home Depot & Evergreen Rebuilding Nature Grant is now closed now, but may be open sometime in the future.

9. CommUnity Impact Grants

Website: http://corporate.homedepot.com/wps/portal/Grants

Grant Description: The Home Depot’s CommUnity Impact Grants program funds nonprofit organizations who engage volunteers to: • construct, refurbish and maintain play spaces (such as playgrounds, parks, and trails) • refurbish or maintain community gathering places (such as community centers) • build, refurbish or maintain affordable or transitional housing • rebuild structures damaged in weather-related disasters

Funding Description: The Home Depot supports tax exempt nonprofit organizations and schools in the United States and charitable organizations in Canada. To maximize the impact of resources, The Home Depot only funds organizations and programs that meet our eligibility criteria and pass our online eligibility quiz. Grant amounts vary up to $3,000. Preference will be given


54

to requests that offer volunteerism opportunities, encourage civic engagement and reflect and encourage inclusion of diverse communities. If your organization does not have non-profit status, you may wish to collaborate with a local nonprofit organization who can serve as your fiscal sponsor. Verification of this collaborative effort will be requested in the form of an official letter by the sponsoring nonprofit partner. All requests are reviewed and applicants are notified in writing by e-mail of decisions. Due to the high volume of requests received, not every request that matches the CommUnity Impact Grant program guidelines will receive funding. Approved applicants are required to complete a detailed grant report, provided by The Home Depot, upon project completion. Failure to complete the report will suspend an organization’s eligibility for future funding from any grants program with The Home Depot.

10. Neighbourhood Matching Fund

Website: http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/parks/arts/nmf/

Program Description: The Neighbourhood Matching Fund is a program providing support for projects involving people in a way that promotes the development of community and builds neighbourhood connections. It provides funds to groups who want to improve and develop parks and facilities on park land. Donations of time, money and/or materials, equal to the amount requested from the Neighbourhood Matching Fund must be provided by the community. This is known as the match. Examples of projects are: greening a street-end; building a community fence; working with a ceramic artist to build creative benches; developing natural or historical interpretation; starting a banner program; and building an information kiosk, etc. Project must be on Park Board land or on other public property assuming appropriate permission. Large developments which are seeking funding must apply them to a specific identifiable element with which the community building process can be associated Projects which have other committed Park Board funding are eligible for a maximum of $5,000 and will only be considered second to projects with no Park Board funding; and up to 10% of the Neighbourhood Matching Fund allocation for each project may be used to fund a community development worker to assist in engaging neighbourhood residents.

Projects must:

• focus on the building of a sense of community and the demonstration of neighbourhood support;

• have public benefit/accessibility; • have widespread community participation in the process (work parties, design

workshops, neighbourhood planning meetings, etc.); • include a physical improvement


55

• ongoing contribution (upon project completion) to building connections between people in the neighbourhood.

Contact Information:

Location: 2099 Beach Avenue Vancouver, BC V6G 1Z4 Phone: 604-257-8495

11. TD Bank Friends of the Environment Foundation – Community Fund

Website: http://www.td.com/fef/project.jsp#eligibility Funding Description: The purpose of the Community Fund is to provide funding support for community-based initiatives that make a positive difference to the Canadian environment. The Community Fund will consider projects that meet the following criteria:

• protects and preserves the Canadian environment; Assists young Canadians in understanding and participating in environmental activities in local communities

• enhances cooperation among environmental organizations. • takes place within the geographic scope of the Community Fund Chapter

Local Advisory Boards, made up of customers and employees, review the applications and make recommendations for funding support according to the established guidelines. Applications for the Community Fund are reviewed throughout the year. Contact Information:

Contact person: Amanda Perry, Regional Manager Location: 700 West Georgia Street TD Tower - 3rd Floor Vancouver, BC V7Y 1A2 Phone: 604-654-8832 Fax: 604-654-5531 Email: [email protected]

12. Vancity Enviro Fund

Website: https://www.vancity.com/MyCommunity/CommunityFunding/EnviroFund/

Program Description: EnviroFund was conceived as a way to support community initiatives that address local environmental concerns in a positive, constructive, and creative manner. EnviroFund grows through donations made by Vancity based on a minimum of 5% of Vancity VISA


56

card profits. It also grows through individual donations. More than $1.7 million have been awarded to local groups since enviroFund was established in 1990.

13. Vancity Project Grants

Website: https://www.vancity.com/MyCommunity/CommunityFunding/CommunityGrants/ Grant Information: They provide up to $10,000 for projects that contribute to the social justice, economic self-reliance or environmental responsibility of a community and its members. Grants are awarded four times per year. Vancity requires grant recipients to submit a final grant report 30 days after the completion of the project. Sample Application: https://www.vancity.com/SharedContent/documents/Community/2007_Application_for_Region_1.doc

14. Vancity Community Branch Grants

Funding Description: Each Vancity branch makes small grants — up to $500 — available to local initiatives that improve the well-being of the community in which the branch operates. Requests for funding can be made by contacting the Community Programs Representative at any branch.

15. Vancouver Foundation Grant information

Website: http://www.vancouverfoundation.bc.ca/GrantInformation/GrantInformation.shtml Funding Description: • Eligibility: Eligible applicants include registered charities and qualified donees under

the Income Tax Act as well as some First Nations bands that may be considered a public body performing a function of government. All these organizations must demonstrate fiscal responsibility and effective management. Grants are not made to individuals or to businesses.

• What is Funded: Vancouver Foundation supports a wide range of projects that are of benefit to British Columbians. Funded activities often provide a direct service to the community, or take an innovative approach to a community concern. Vancouver Foundation is responsive to changing community issues and priorities.


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16. Shell Environment Fund

Website: http://www.shell.ca/home/Framework?siteId=ca-en&FC2=/ca-en/html/iwgen/society_environment/environment/zzz_lhn.html&FC3=/ca-en/html/iwgen/society_environment/environment/environment_fund_shared/dir_sef.html Funding Description: The Shell Environmental Fund (SEF) provides financial support for grass-roots, action-oriented projects that improve and protect the Canadian environment. You can receive a grant only once for any single project. The SEF provides up to $5,000 per project. Any Canadian resident can apply on their own, or on behalf of a service club, charitable or volunteer organization, environmental group, youth group or others. Shell funds projects that propose innovative, action-oriented ways of improving and protecting the Canadian environment. Projects must yield an environmental benefit and you should have a clear idea of the results you expect. View their naturalization requirements and climate change project requirements.


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APPENDIX J: Resource Listing

American Community Gardening Association - A network of community gardens in the U.S. They provide a chockful of useful

information on community gardening - http://www.communitygarden.org/index.php

BC Association of Farmers' Markets - An association which serves and promote farmers' markets all over the province - http://www.bcfarmersmarket.org

Citizens Handbook - Great for communities wanting to organise community gardens - http://www.vcn.bc.ca/citizens-handbook/welcome.html

City Farmer - A very active resource group and pioneer of urban agriculture in the city. They offer a

number of interesting and environmentally proactive workshops. - http://www.cityfarmer.org

Cypress Gardens - One of Vancouver's award winning community gardens - http://www.vcn.bc.ca/cypress/index.htm#top

Edible Garden Project - North Shore organisation that works with a diverse range of groups to increase land

used for food production, to encourage gardeners to grow fresh produce for donation, and to connect donations with community members in need

- http://www.ediblegardenproject.com/about.htm

The Edible Schoolyard - An American project that provides urban public school children with education on

growing, harvesting, and preparing seasonal produce - http://www.edibleschoolyard.org/homepage.html

Environmental Youth Alliance - A youth driven non-profit organization dedicated to the health of our urban

environment, our planet & the wellbeing of its people which includes urban agriculture initiatives

- http://www.eya.ca/


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Every Lawn a Garden - An organisation that works in partnership with cities, community organisation,

employers, citizens and others to promote food producing gardens instead of lawns. - http://everylawnagarden.ca/index.php

Farmers Market - Organises regular farmers markets in Vancouver, connecting agricultural producers

with urban consumers - www.eatlocal.org

Farm Folk/City Folk - A strong supporter of community gardens as well as offers a number of community

forums such as seed exchanges and a knowledge pantry, full of agriculture and environmental knowledge

- http://www.ffcf.bc.ca/

Food Security Learning Centre - Provides interesting links and background to community gardening but is more

American-centric - http://www.worldhungeryear.org/fslc/faqs/ria_059a.asp?section=3&click=2

Greater Vancouver Regional District Composting - Offers more environmental sound options of garden care - http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/recycling-and-garbage/composting.htm

Harmony Foundation - Host of Green Cities: a Guide for Sustainable Community Development initiatives - http://www.harmonyfdn.ca/greencities.html

Intergenerational Landed Learning Project - A UBC Faculty of Landed Learning initiative that brings together elementary school

students and older ‘Farm Friends’ with experience in agriculture and gardening to learn how to grow and harvest food at the UBC Farm.

- http://www.cust.educ.ubc.ca/landedlearningproject/index.htm

My Own Back Yard - An extremely successful community garden that uses urban agriculture to address

neighbourhood issues of crime and drug use and seeks to mobilise community members through dialogue, education, and hands-on experience in the soil

- http://www.myownbackyard.ca/


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Parks Board Policies on Community gardens - http://vancouver.ca/parks/info/policy/comgardnpolicy.htm

Richmond Fruit Tree Sharing Project - Connects volunteers with growing and harvesting fruit and vegetables for community

members in need, through two communal Sharing Farms that cultivate organic produce, picking fruit and gleaning second harvests from farmers’ fields.

- http://www.richmondfruittree.com/

Slugs and Salal - As their website says, “Everything you need to know about Gardening in the Pacific

Northwest” - http://www.slugsandsalal.com

Smart Growth BC - A non-governmental organization devoted to fiscally, socially and environmentally

responsible land use and development. They work with community groups to create more liveable communities in BC

- www.smartgrowth.bc.ca

Society Protecting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) - One of Vancouver’s oldest environmental group and a strong community garden ally - http://www.spec.bc.ca/

Terra Nova Schoolyard Project - A Richmond-based project that brings elementary students to the farm to learn about

growing and preparing food. - http://www.esy.8k.com/

Tree City - Engages citizens and communities to create healthier environments in the city by

planting and caring for an urban forest - http://www.treecitycanada.ca/

UBC Farm - The only working farmland within Vancouver. It is also a teaching, research centre and

farmer’s market. It is a great learning and volunteering centre. - http://www.landfood.ubc.ca/ubcfarm/


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Urban Aboriginal Community Kitchens Garden Project - “To provide the opportunity and support for Aboriginal people living in East Vancouver

to improve our capacity and create community by collectively, sustainably growing our own vegetables”

- http://www.vnhs.net/programs/garden.htm

Urban Diggers Society - Long-time champion for affordable urban agriculture opportunities and runs four

community gardens in Mount Pleasant - [email protected]

Vancouver Fruit Tree Project - Brings volunteers together to harvest, preserve, and distribute surplus fruit for and to

community members in need - http://www.vancouverfruittreeproject.org/

Vancouver Urban Agriculture - Local information on events and resources - http://www.vancouverurbanagriculture.ca/eventsandresources.html

Vancouver Landfill Compost Sales - To purchase compost from the city for your garden - http://city.vancouver.bc.ca/engsvcs/solidwaste/landfill/sales.htm

West Coast Seeds - Vancouver-grown organic seeds for local gardeners and an expanding section on

coastal gardening info and tips - http://www.westcoastseeds.com


Cathy Gole from Maple Community Garden provided us with this

example of executive minutes

May 15th April 1t

Email: _______________________ Sample contract provided by Cathy Gole from Maple Community Gardens

Growing Gardens: A resource package on how to start your own community garden

Documents

Transcript of Growing Gardens: A resource package on how to start your own community garden