Operational Manual Overview - Environment Lethbridge



Operational Manual for Community Gardens Table of Content TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Operational Manual Overview PAGEREF _Toc504547881 \h 3The Three Pillars of Community Gardens in Lethbridge PAGEREF _Toc504547882 \h 3Connection to Nature PAGEREF _Toc504547883 \h 3Community Development PAGEREF _Toc504547884 \h 3Food Security PAGEREF _Toc504547885 \h 3Community Gardens as Community Cultivators PAGEREF _Toc504547886 \h 4Types of Community Gardens PAGEREF _Toc504547887 \h 4Collective Community Garden PAGEREF _Toc504547888 \h 4Allotment Community Gardens PAGEREF _Toc504547889 \h 5Learning Community Gardens PAGEREF _Toc504547890 \h 5Support for Community Gardens PAGEREF _Toc504547891 \h 6Community Gardens as a Permitted Land Use PAGEREF _Toc504547892 \h 6Parks Department Support PAGEREF _Toc504547893 \h 6Lethbridge Community Gardens Network (LCGN) Support PAGEREF _Toc504547894 \h 6Ensuring the Available Support is Meeting the Needs PAGEREF _Toc504547895 \h 7Community Garden Roles and Responsibilities PAGEREF _Toc504547896 \h 8Community Garden Coordination Group PAGEREF _Toc504547897 \h 8Community Garden Coordinator Responsibilities PAGEREF _Toc504547898 \h 8Garden Members Responsibilities PAGEREF _Toc504547899 \h 9Community Garden Guidelines PAGEREF _Toc504547900 \h 10Environmental Conservation Tips PAGEREF _Toc504547901 \h 11Water PAGEREF _Toc504547902 \h 11Waste PAGEREF _Toc504547903 \h 11Appendix 1 PAGEREF _Toc504547904 \h 12Contact List PAGEREF _Toc504547905 \h 12City of Lethbridge PAGEREF _Toc504547906 \h 12Community Organization PAGEREF _Toc504547907 \h 12Appendix 2 PAGEREF _Toc504547908 \h 12Resources List PAGEREF _Toc504547909 \h 12Appendix 3 PAGEREF _Toc504547910 \h 13Definitions - TBD PAGEREF _Toc504547911 \h 13Appendix 4 PAGEREF _Toc504547912 \h 13Sample Gardener Application Form PAGEREF _Toc504547913 \h 13Appendix 5 PAGEREF _Toc504547914 \h 14Sample Gardner Agreement PAGEREF _Toc504547915 \h 14Operational Manual Overview This manual was created by the Lethbridge Community Gardens Network (LCGN), an organized group lead by the City of Lethbridge. The members of the LCGN represent community organizations, avid gardeners, and various City departments. The purpose of this manual is to support the continuation of existing community gardens and the establishment of new ones. These goals will be achieved by extending City resources to community gardens built on City owned land and consultation support from the LCGN to all community gardens in Lethbridge.The Three Pillars of Community Gardens in Lethbridge The support provided for the success of community gardens in Lethbridge extend from the following three pillars:Connection to NatureCommunity gardens can be places that draw individuals to the outdoors for the purpose of caring of their crops. This activity allows individuals to build healthy lifestyle habits and to learn the value our natural resources. The constant connection to the land and the management of their crops has the potential to create an understanding of the value of sustainable practices such as water conservation, soil care, natural pest management, pollinator support and encouragement, and food waste management. Community Development Community gardens can be accessible spaces to strengthen neighborhood connections by enabling: community participation, learning, culture sharing, and relationship building.Food SecurityCommunity gardens empowers individuals to grow their own food during the growing season; in doing so they foster learnings on how and where food comes from, how to grow it, how to use it, and how to store it. Community Gardens as Community Cultivators Community gardens are a shared green space which is maintained by community members for their use and enjoyment. Community gardens are typically know as a place where plants are grown by a community to meet that community’s needs, but they can also be a great place to cultivate community itself. Community gardens have the potential to be what is known as a bumping space – the idea that connections and relationships are created and strengthened when people “bump” into each other. The more bumps, the stronger the bonds, leading to connected, engaged, safe, welcoming and inclusive communities. These sorts of spaces are important in our neighbourhoods as they enrich the quality of life and well-being of individuals, families and the community. They also grow a sense of belonging and encourage active participation in community life by providing a place that’s accessible, fun, neutral and welcoming. Community gardens can be a place where neighbours discuss and act on important social, cultural, economic, and environmental and community issues, or be more informal and allow people to put aside their concerns and simply enjoy the company and conversation around them.How can community gardens be used to cultivate community?Host educational and skill building workshops (e.g., gardening, nutrition)Hold potlucks (e.g., during harvest time)Encourage cross-cultural connections (e.g., cultural potlucks)Host children/family programs (e.g., story times, meal planning)Hold movie or music nights in the garden (e.g., local bands)Host various sorts of markets (e.g., farmers markets)Add other fun and engaging elements to the space (e.g., little libraries, game boards)Use your creativity and cultivate the possibleMore ideas for using the community garden as a bumping space to connect and grow community can be found at lethbridge.ca/neighbourhoodsTypes of Community GardensThere are two common types of community gardens (collective and allotment), but a third type is learning community gardens. It will be important to choose a model that will best serve the unique needs of your community, with a suggestion to offer a blend of the three models.Collective Community GardenThese gardens follow the premise of “all for one harvest, one harvest for all,” where everyone contributes their efforts to one large garden from which everyone shares the harvest. Growing communally requires a significant degree of cooperation and works best with a small number of participants. This style is well suited for groups that already have a strong membership that meet regularly, such as school group or community/neighbourhood groups. Allotment Community GardensPublic community gardens in Lethbridge are already divided into plots, which can maintained by an assigned gardener, who is able to come and go on their own schedule. This style works well to facilitate varying schedules and allow independence for gardeners. This type is also typically easier to organize and coordinate.Learning Community GardensNot everyone is a seasoned gardener but gardening has many benefits, which can be experienced by anyone. Providing space for a learning garden, which can be incorporated into a collective garden plot, can provide an opportunity for gardeners of all levels to learn everything from the basics to advanced gardening tools and techniques and sustainable practices. This style lends well to groups such as schools or an established gardening group. Support for Community GardensCommunity Gardens as a Permitted Land Use The City of Lethbridge supports community gardens under the following guidelines supported by Land Use Bylaw 5700:No development permits are required, the community garden is considered the same as landscaping on a lot being used for a single detached home, or growing a crop on a farm.Developers and users of Community Gardens are expected to follow the guidelines outlined in this manual.Approval is required through the City’s Parks & Recreation Business Unit. The Community Garden is a not for profit enterprise (ex. food grown is not for sale).Garden structures must be less than 10 square meters in size, and for the purposes of Bylaw 5700 the City of Lethbridge Land Use Bylaw are a “Temporary Development” as defined Section 1.4 of the Bylaw.Third party advertising and digital signs are not permitted. Sponsorship acknowledgement and memorials are permitted, however, any signage structures must be approved by the City’s Planning and Development business unit prior to installation. Intrusive lighting is not permitted, lighting must shine down on the garden, not off the propertySound systems are not permitted for regular use. A permit may be available for individual events that include sound systems; contact LCGN. For public safety the garden cannot block views of the adjacent intersections if located on corner lots. This includes fencing and includes intersections of roadways with lanes indicate distance for setback.Parks Department Support The City’s Parks Department is responsible for maintaining green spaces on City owned land; for this reason, community gardens on City owned land will be maintenance as needed by Parks Department.Parks will provide the following services:Overall annual or as needed site maintenance such as, but not limited to: safety concerns irrigation control, garden infrastructure maintenance (shed repair, garden plot repair, etc.), annual cleanup if needed.Every community garden will have different needs, for this reason, please contact 403-320-3850 to request maintenance support that is specific to your garden.Service Requests can be submitted to: 403-320-3850The submitted requests will be fulfilled within two weeks or sooner if an emergency.Lethbridge Community Gardens Network (LCGN) Support The LCGN brings together a variety of perspectives, skill sets, and values that are all linked in various ways to community gardens. The members of LCGN will use their skills and experience to guide community gardens through any challenge. The work the LCGN is involved with is informed by the following five goals: Improve food securityIncrease available resources for community gardensIncrease awareness on the benefits of community gardensIncrease the number of people gardening in Lethbridge Increase the number of “bumping spaces” in neighbourhoodsLCGN guidance is available to all community gardens in the City of Lethbridge and can be accessed by contacting Environment Lethbridge at info@ or 403-330-6241. Ensuring the Available Support is Meeting the NeedsThe Community Garden Coordinators of the community gardens on City owned land are required to attend two meetings during the growing season, first one at the beginning of the season and the second one at the end of the season, in which Parks Department and LNGC will be present to ensure the needs of the individual gardens are being met and that guidelines are being munity Garden Roles and ResponsibilitiesThe community garden tasks to be carried out are the responsibility of all garden members and the coordinator. This section outlines the responsibilities that will ensure a successful growing season. These roles must be fulfilled by community gardens on City owned land.These roles can be used in collective, allotment, learning community munity Garden Coordination GroupAll community gardens on public land are ultimately the responsibility of the City of Lethbridge, with a Community Garden Coordinating Group (CGCG) authorized to be responsible for coordination of the day-to-day operations of these gardens. The CGCG is the overarching organization that supervises the function and role of the Community Garden munity Garden Coordinator Responsibilities A community garden coordinator is responsible to work with their community garden members to ensure these tasks are municationTo ensure needs are being met, the Community Garden Coordinators (CGC) of community gardens on City owned land are required to have two meetings, first one at the beginning of the season and the second one at the end of the season, in which Parks Department and LNGC will be present to ensure the needs of the individual gardens are being met and that guidelines are being followed. Ongoing communication during the growing season with Parks Department and the LCGN is encouraged. It is expected that the CGC will be a point of information for the community garden members and broader neighborhood. Each community garden will have its own set of rules and encouraged behaviors. These directions should be available onsite (ex. laminated and hung in garden shed). Contact information for the community garden coordinator will also be posted on site in an area available to members and any visitors to the site. Plot assignmentPlot assignment should be done annually on a first-come-first-serve basis with priorities given to renewals. No fees shall be collected for plot rental or membership to the garden. Plot assignments can be made in person via a garden event or over email, if assigned over email the gardener should confirm their acceptance.Garden orientationHost a garden walk-through in the spring to orient gardeners on the space and garden guidelines and to provide orientation handbook to gardeners. Administrative tasksMaintain up to date list of community garden members and their contact information.Delegate responsibilities to community garden members/volunteers. Make weekly visits to ensure the gardeners are maintaining plots. If tasks are consistently not done, the garden coordinator should inquire with the individual as to why. Coordinator has full control to re-assign the task or plot to another gardener.Make arrangements with local food banks to arrange for the distribution of any surplus food, as well as crop sharing among members, as requested by garden members.If Applicable to your Community GardenCommunal work-days Should be scheduled as requested/or as necessary. For example, one scheduled work-day/month may be ad Mentor programsCan be through pairing two individuals - an experienced with an inexperienced gardener or by hosting regular mentor workshop or training events to share knowledge to new or unexperienced individuals. Resolve Gardener DisputesThe garden coordinator should meet individually with those affected to hear all sides of the dispute. The garden coordinator can bring concerns to the LCGN if the dispute requires deliberation. Garden Members ResponsibilitiesPlanting / Weeding / Watering / Harvesting Each gardener is responsible for their own plots. If an individual comes to find plot care overwhelming or in need of direction, they are to contact the garden coordinator. Garden clean up (preparing the gardens for winter)Must be done by October 31st, guidance can be provided by the garden coordinator.Report unsafe gardening conditions to CoordinatorEach gardener is responsible for their own safety and as a members of the community garden it is important hazards are reported to Coordinator. See Appendix 5 for a sample gardener munity Garden Guidelines The community garden guidelines will be unique to the garden they are in place for. The guidelines below are set by Parks department as they are responsible for the restoration of the garden and it is required that they are followed by all community gardens on city owned land. If these are not followed by garden members the Coordinator, with the support of the Parks Department, may re-assign the plot to another gardener. Each community garden is encouraged to make addition to the required guidelines to suit individual community gardens. Required Guidelines:Community Gardens are intended to be a space for individuals to grow produce, flowers or herbs for themselves or the community. Items grown in the Garden may not be sold for profit. Be considerate of your fellow gardeners. Don’t plant tall plants where they will shade neighbouring beds. Because of their invasive tendencies, the following plants are prohibited from the Garden;Ornamental species on the prohibited noxious weed list in Alberta:Pale yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus)Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus)Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)Bighead knapweed (Centaurea macrocephala)Common buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica)Knotweeds (Fallopia species)Tamarisk or salt cedar (Tamarix species)Ornamental species on the noxious weed list in Alberta:Yellow clematis (Clematis tangutica)Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata)Dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis)Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris and Linaria dalmatica)Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)Common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)Creeping bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides)Field Bind Weed aka morning gloryHoneysuckle/TatarianInvasive/selfseeders: These plants are excellent plants for a pot or secured container. They also happen to be very pollinator friendly and some of our most prolific medicines. Use caution and plant in solid containers only:Mint in all its formsBee BalmPerennial SunflowerCarawayScentless ChamomileGarlic ChivesYarrowLambs EarCatmint/catnipSt John’s WortJerusalem artichoke aka sun chokeComfreyRaspberryPortulaca/Purslane aka Pig WeedToadflaxCannabis Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L.)All gardeners should submit a Gardener Application form (Appendix 4) including contact information and expression of interest.Planting, weeding, watering and harvesting of assigned plot is the gardener’s responsibility. If an individual comes to find plot care overwhelming or in need of direction, they are to contact the garden coordinator.Gardeners are encourage to donate surplus produce to the local food banks.Smoking, chewing tobacco, drugs, and alcohol are not permitted in the garden at any time.Ensure your, and your kids’, safety at all times.Consider Environmental Conservation tips.Report safety concerns to coordinator.Report damaged garden structures to Coordinator.Environmental Conservation TipsWaterInspect your water system for leaks regularly, and report to Parks Department at, 403-320-3850Group drought tolerant plants together to help make watering more efficient Water by hand whenever possibleMaintain your soil as healthy soil with limited clay or sand will hold water longerUse mulch to hold water in the soilAvoid watering during the hottest times of the day to reduce evaporation. Before 10 am or after 6 pm are the best timesIt is better for your plants to water deeply a couple of times a week, than to give less water more frequentlyWasteEncourage garden members to take home recyclable items. If the garden has a recycling coordinator identified, to collect & haul materials, set up recycling or reuse areas on-site for common items (ex. plastic plant pots, cardboard boxes). Encourage garden members to compost. If the garden has a compost coordinator identified, to ensure and maintain proper use of the composter. Smaller garden cuttings may be able to be composted on site or bagged in paper yard waste bags and taken to the Yard Waste Recycling Sites for composting. Larger materials (ex. large stocks) should be removed from site and taken to the Yard Waste Recycling Sites for composting. Appendix 1Contact ListCity of LethbridgeParks Department403-320-3850parks@lethbridge.ca Neighbourhood Coordinator403-320-3167byfd@lethbridge.ca Community OrganizationInterfaith Food Bank403-320-8779emailLethbridge Food Bank403-320-1879Director@lethbridgefoodbank.ca Environment Lethbridge403-330-6241info@ Appendix 2Resources ListAHS Community Gardens Handbook Horticultural Society – Community Gardens Resource Network Community Gardens Community Gardens Gardens in Ottawa The Community Garden Handbook for Newfoundland and Labrador Seattle Toolkit for Gardeners Portland Gardening Resources Community Garden Best Practices Toolkit Guidelines for Community and allotment gardening in Saskatoon Species$Department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex14768 Invasive weeds fact sheet$Department/deptdocs.nsf/All/prm14719 Native plant list Local Gardener info on plants to use caution with 3Definitions - TBDAppendix 4Sample Gardener Application FormAdapted from the Community Gardening Toolkit, University of Missouri Extension Publication MP906 ()Gardener name: _____________________ Gardening partner(s): ________________________________ Gardener Address: _____________________________________________________________________ Partner Address: _______________________________________________________________________ Gardener E-mail: ____________________________ Partner E-mail: ______________________________ Gardener Phone: ______________________ Partner Phone: _______________________ Did you have a plot at this garden last year? Yes □ No □If you are a new gardener, would you like an experienced gardener to help you? Yes □ No □ If you are an experienced gardener, would you like to help a new gardener? Yes □ No Photo Permission: From time to time, gardeners, Garden Coordinators and the media will take photos of the garden. Please check here (□) if you do not give your permission for your photo (or photos of your children) to be published. If you do not give your permission, please let photographers know when you encounter them at the garden. Phone and e-mail: All gardeners are required to share their phone number and e-mail address with Garden Coordinators. In addition, a gardener phone and e-mail list is shared with all gardeners. Please check here (□) if you do not give your permission to share your phone number and e-mail with all gardeners. By signing below, I agree that I have read and understand the Gardener Guidelines and plan to abide by all of the garden rules. I understand that neither the Community Garden Coordinating Group, the Community Garden Coordinator(s) nor the City of Lethbridge are responsible for my actions. I therefore agree to hold harmless the Community Garden Coordinating Group, the Community Garden Coordinator(s) nor the City of Lethbridge for any liability, damage, loss or claim that occurs in connection with use of the garden by me or my guests._____________________________________________________________________________SignatureDateAppendix 5Sample Gardner AgreementName:?(Please print): ___________________________ Street Address:?_________________________________Email:?_______________________________________________________ Phone: _______________________????This is what I agree to while gardening:Community Gardens are intended to be a space for individuals to grow produce, flowers or herbs for themselves or the community. Items grown in the Garden may not be sold for profit. Be considerate of your fellow gardeners. Don’t plant tall plants where they will shade neighbouring beds. Because of their invasive tendencies, the following plants are prohibited from the Garden.All gardeners should submit an application form (Appendix 4) including contact information and expression of interest.Planting, weeding, watering and harvesting of assigned plot is the gardener’s responsibility. If an individual comes to find plot care overwhelming or in need of direction, they are to contact the garden coordinator.Gardeners are encourage to donate surplus produce to the local food banks.Smoking, chewing tobacco, drugs, and alcohol are not permitted in the garden at any time.Ensure your, and your kids’, safety at all times.Consider Environmental Conservation tips.Report safety concerns to coordinator.Report damaged garden structures to Coordinator.LiabilitySigning this agreement absolves [community garden name] and the City of Lethbridge from any liability, financial or otherwise which may result from negligence or the inappropriate use of power and hand tools, either by myself or by others.Date:?__________________Signature:?___________________________Witness: _____________________________ ................
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