Community Garden Sponsorship Letter? Quick Answer

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) launched the “Community Garden Program” in February 2004 to establish planting plots at select LCSD parks and venues throughout the area. Under the guidance of qualified instructors, participants can learn how to grow ornamental plants, fruits and vegetables in nearby parks or venues and take the harvest home to share with others.

Goals

The program aims to encourage the public to engage in community-level greening activities and to incorporate greening activities into everyday life. It also aims to raise public awareness of greening and environmental protection through participation in gardening activities.

Community gardens are more than just gardens. They are transformative spaces where neighbors grow food, collaborate on projects with people they might not otherwise have met, and benefit from time in nature in the middle of the city.

But what makes a community garden successful? Here are four essential ingredients for a successful community garden.

1) A meeting place. A comfortable, shaded seating area accommodates shared meals, meetings, classes, performances and casual conversations. The seating area can become the centerpiece of the community garden.

2) A place for children. Many community gardens create spaces that are specifically designated as children’s areas. A safe spot in the garden for children to explore in nature means the whole family can enjoy quality time in the community garden.

3) A communications kiosk. Community gardens need a way to communicate messages visually. When is the next meeting? How can passers-by register for a property? When is the next workday or potluck? It helps if this information is presented clearly and conspicuously.

4) Adequate signage. What is this place? Can I take this product? How can I get involved? Clear signage means clear communication and this helps community gardens to serve as true community resources as they provide an opportunity to communicate loud and clear to all passers-by that this is the purpose of the garden.

Would you like to create a community garden in your neighborhood? Find out how at our Community Garden Leadership Training this Saturday, November 15 from 9am to 1pm at the SFC!

In this workshop we will cover: community organizing, how to secure land, garden organizing structures, and fundraising and outreach. There is a lot of interest in community gardening in Austin and there is very limited space available in current community gardens. Find out how we can work together to start more gardens. To register, click here.

The review team uses the systematic review methodology promoted by the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence [53] in conjunction with that endorsed by the Cochrane Collaboration [54].

Seek

Informal scoping searches (performed in Spring 2014) have shown that there are a large number of relevant, embeddable studies published and indexed in formal academic databases (databases searched for scoping included PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Greenfile and Environment Complete). and that a significant number will also be found in the gray literature. A previous review of environmental improvement activities [30] highlighted the value of devoting a significant proportion of time and resources to finding these non-traditional sources. Therefore, a range of search techniques are used, including academic database searches, citation search (forward and backward), web search, gray literature search on organizational websites, contact with key authors and organizations. Primary searches (in academic databases) are designed and conducted by an Information Specialist (AB). Secondary searches for gray literature and specialized, coordinating organizations are led by RL and KH.

Search terms and strategy

The key search terms were derived from scoping searches and from reading the literature. The project reference group also advises the review team on possible terminology. Each term (as listed below in “Medline Search String”, lines 1-24) has been incorporated into a primary string for Medline (lines 25-29) and is customized accordingly for each database. Searches for title, abstract and keywords (.tw):

Medline search term:

1 exp gardening/ 2 garden*.tw. 3 Horticulture*.tw. 4 agriculture*.tw. 5 contingent*.tw. 6 Greening.tw. 7 sort*.tw. 8 Propagate*.tw. 9 groceries*.between 10 vegetables*.between 11 country.tw. 12 suburb*.tw. 13 Community*.tw. 14 municipal.tw. 15 Shared.tw. 16 collective*.tw. 17 Neighborhood*.tw. 18 Neighborhood*.tw. 19 Guerrilla.tw. 20 Rebel.tw. 21 cooperative*.tw. 22 Urban*.tw. 23 Therapeutic*.tw. 24 Popup*.tw. 25 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9 or 10 26 11 or 12 or 13 or 14 or 15 or 16 or 17 or 18 or 19 or 20 or 21 or 22 or 23 or 24 27 ((garden * or Horticultur* or Agricultur* or Allotment* or Greening or Cultivat* or Propagat* or Food product* or Vegetable*) adj3 (Rural or Suburban* or Communit* or Communal or Shared or Collective* or Neighborhood* or Neighborhood* or Guerilla or Rebel or Co-operative* or Urban* or Therapeutic* or Pop-up*)).tw. 28 1 and 26 29 27 or 28

The search strategy, developed in collaboration with the Information Specialist (AB), uses an appropriate search syntax and is modified for use in several electronic health and social science databases:

AMED on EBSCO host

ASSIA on ProQuest

CINAHL on EBSCOHost

BNI on ProQuest

EMBASE on OvidSP

HMIC on OvidSP

web of knowledge

MEDLINE on OvidSP

PsycINFO on OvidSP

Social Policy and Practice on OVIDSP

EThOS via the British Library

OpenGreyA year limit of 1990 is applied. The scoping searches found very little published evidence related to community gardening before 1990, for example Web of Science (WoS) identified only one paper published before 1990 that turned out to be non-includable (see Figure 2). According to the study design, no limiters are used. No language restriction is applied. The search will be conducted in English (it is recognized that this can lead to linguistic bias in the results, but again the limit is the pragmatic use of resources).

Figure 2 Frequency of community garden literature by year in WoS (Community garden$). full size image

Scoping searches of non-academic sources, including organization websites, identified a number of studies that are unpublished, meaning they are unlikely to be indexed in academic databases; therefore, an extensive gray literature search is carried out. The process will be iterative and iterative as it necessarily relies on identifying studies that can be integrated to drive the search forward. The methods used include:

Forward and backward citation search of all embeddable studies, both manually and with tools like Web of Knowledge;

Identifying and searching the web presence of community gardens and governing bodies such as the Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens in the UK and the American Community Garden Association in the US, similar organizations are being sought for low and middle income countries;

Contacting the above organizations via email, phone, and web search to request studies or suggestions for sources of evidence (including internal library catalogs not available online);

Searches in gray bibliographies such as Open Gray (http://www.opengrey.eu/) (performed with database searches);

Searches in academic web engines such as Google Scholar;

Web searches from Google, Bing etc.;

research of relevant scientific repositories;

Hand-search key academic and organizational journals and publications (e.g. Ecohealth, Environment and Society, Royal Horticultural Society Journal) and consult with the project reference group for suggestions for studies, researchers and other potential contacts.

The search terms used when searching for gray literature include appropriate combinations of (Garden* or Horticultur* or Agricultur* or Allotment* or Greening or Cultivat*) and (Communit* or Communal or Shared or Collective* or Neighborhood* or Neighborhood* or cooperative*). When searching websites, academic web engines like Google Scholar, and other digital gray literature sources, the first 100 hits are searched. If a high proportion of the first 100 hits (e.g. >10%) are found to be potentially includeable, the results are further searched until no more references are found. If there are few hits (<100), the entire list of results is searched. Citation searches for key documents, including those listed below, are performed on databases such as the Web of Knowledge: Austin, E.N., Johnston, Y.A.M., & Morgan, L.L. (2006). Community Gardening in a Senior Center: A Therapeutic Intervention to Improve the Health of Older Adults Therapeutic Recreation Journal 40 (1). Barnidge, E.K., Hipp, P.R., Estlund, A., Duggan, K., Barnhart, K.J., & Brownson, R.C. (2013). Association between community garden participation and fruit and vegetable consumption in rural Missouri. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 10(1), 128-128. Blair, D., Giesecke, C.C., & Sherman, S. (1991). A Dietary, Social, and Economic Assessment of the Urban Gardening Project in Philadelphia. Journal of Nutrition Education, 23(4), 161-167. Carney, P.A., Hamada, J.L., Rdesinski, R., Sprager, L., Nichols, KR, Liu, B.Y., et al. (2012). Effects of a community garden project on vegetable intake, food security, and family relationships: a community-based participatory research study. J Community Health, 37(4), 874-881. Gonzalez, M.T., Hartig, T., Patil, G.G., Martinsen, E.W., & Kirkevold, M. (2010). Therapeutic horticulture in clinical depression: a prospective study of active components. J Adv Nurs, 66(9), 2002-2013. Heim, S., Stang, J., & Ireland, M. (2009). A pilot garden project encourages children to eat fruit and vegetables. J Am Diet Assoc, 109(7), 1220-1226. Kingsley, J.Y., Townsend, M., & Henderson-Wilson, C. (2009). Cultivating health and well-being: Members' perceptions of the health benefits of a community garden in Port Melbourne. Leisure Studies, 28(2), 207-219. Weltin, A.M., & Lavin, R.P. (2012). The effect of a community garden on HgA1c in diabetics of Marshall descent. J Community Health Nurses, 29(1), 12-24. Zick, CD, Smith, KR, Kowaleski-Jones, L, Uno, C, & Merrill, BJ (2013). Harvesting more than just vegetables: the potential benefits of weight management through community gardening. Am J Public Health, 103(6), 1110-1115. Search results are exported to EndNote 2011 (Thompson Reuters). Searches are recorded using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines [55]. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria types of interventions First-hand active gardening (e.g. flower growing, re-greening, horticulture, horticulture/agriculture) that takes place in a 'garden' that is managed and shared by a group of people (i.e. connected by location/neighborhood). /interest) must be included. Flower gardens, vegetable gardens (including community gardens) and zoo gardens are included. Although length of participation in activities does not determine inclusion in the review, it is considered as a potential subgroup factor whenever possible. Community gardening activities to include are listed below, but are not exhaustive: garden design garden maintenance weeding Plant propagation and cultivation produce flowers, fruit or vegetables harvest The review also includes a group of activities commonly referred to as "therapeutic" gardening and horticulture. These are activities that take place in a shared garden space, like community gardening, but where the purpose of the activities is specifically related to the recovery, healing, and restoration of the participants. The synthesis considers the differences between community gardening activities that have explicit health and well-being goals and those that do not. It is likely that such differences make it necessary to treat the goals as a subgroup factor. There are a number of terms used to describe related community gardening activities and sites: for example, some forms of guerrilla gardening, collective gardening, small park creation, and community greening. These are all eligible provided they meet the basic definition of community gardening activities outlined above. Where possible, the potential differential impacts of activities undertaken in different contexts (e.g. urban/rural or flower/vegetable gardens) or according to different motivations (e.g. therapeutic/recreational) will be explored. When identifying studies that assess a range of activities (but including community gardening), only those studies where the results relate exclusively or predominantly (i.e. more than 50% of the activity) to gardening are included. All decisions on these types of study are recorded and justified in the final report. Private use of gardens, parks and school gardens is excluded as these are viewed as fundamentally different activities or environments. In the case of school gardens, the impact of 'collaborative' gardening in this setting is discussed in a separate report [52]. This review does not take into account environmental impacts, such as an increase in biodiversity. The above description of the intervention is not exhaustive, the Expert Advisory Panel will provide further guidance on the scope and intentions of community gardening activities. The search strategy will be adjusted if necessary. types of participants Adults or children (as defined in each eligible study) actively participating in community gardening, as defined in the previous sections, in a setting other than school. Our analysis will be sensitive to possible differential impacts on specific subgroups of people; this is done according to factors such as socio-economic status, employment, age and physical, mental or sensory health. It is understood that eligible studies may refer to both voluntary and "non-voluntary" participants (e.g., those in probation systems, prison or psychiatric ward gardens, or those for whom choice is at least limited, i.e. work programs in the connection with the granting of benefits). Studies or those aspects of a study that focus on the impacts of community gardening activities that constitute part or all of a paid role are excluded. The pathways to participation (e.g., motivations, pressures, barriers) will be considered during the analysis to better understand how community gardening might impact participants' health and well-being, and in which situations and contexts. The qualitative evidence is expected to be used to examine pathways to participation in community gardening. study types Quantitative Studies After a review in a similar field, it is expected that there will be few randomized controlled trials in this area [30]. Therefore, a wide range of study designs will be included, and our full report will critically reflect on the impact this might have on the robustness of the results. The following types of quantitative studies are being considered for inclusion in the review (definitions of eligible study designs are taken from the UK National Institute of Health and Care Excellence Study Design Guide [56]): Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs), Cluster RCTs Quasi RCTs, Cluster Quasi RCTs Controlled before and after studies with an appropriate comparison group (i.e. not involved in community gardening) Interrupted time series; the intervention points must be clearly defined with three outcome measures (e.g. before, during and after participation in the gardening activities) case-control studies; these will be included when the selection and comparability criteria are clear and when steps have been taken to reduce bias. Baseline characteristics should have been widely reported to allow for assessment of potential confounders. If higher-order study designs are not available, uncontrolled before-and-after studies (uBAs) are considered. In order to be integrable, the uBA subject selection criteria and the method of inclusion/exclusion in the uBA should be well defined, as should the turnover rates and reasons. It is recognized that uBAs cannot assess causality and are subject to multiple sources of bias, however this study inclusion approach has been used in several previous reviews of subjects where studies with higher-order designs are not common [30]. For studies with a controlled study design, any appropriate comparative activity is considered, an example would be volunteering at a community library or no activity. Qualitative Studies Qualitative research from any discipline or theoretical tradition that uses recognized qualitative methods of data collection and analysis and aims to describe the experiences of those participating in community gardening is considered for inclusion. Data collection methods may include (but are not limited to): focus groups, one-on-one interviews, ethnographic interviews, participatory or systematic observation, document analysis, or audiovisual/note collection. Methods of analysis may include: grounded theory, narrative analysis, thematic analysis, hermeneutic phenomenological analysis, discourse analysis. To be considered for inclusion, qualitative studies should have adequately described methods and have presented results using 1st or 2nd order constructs with adequate supporting evidence in the form of direct citations, journal entries, etc. Mixed Studies: Studies that incorporate both quantitative and qualitative aspects into the design are also eligible if one or both elements meet the methodological criteria described above for the particular approach. Results Quantitative Research Eligible primary endpoints include any recognized measure of health and well-being, whether physical or mental (including emotional and quality of life), assessed using self-reported and objective measures. These are expected to include: Physiological outcomes (e.g. heart rate, cortisol levels, percentage body fat or BMI assessed using standardized tools). Physical health outcomes, general or specific (e.g., assessed using objective instruments such as accelerometers, validated measures such as Short Form Health Survey items, or other self-reported measures of health status, general functioning, or capacity). Effects on mental and emotional health (these can be assessed using validated scales such as the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale or using measures of emotional response or attention/stress recovery). Quality of life outcomes (these can be assessed using, for example, the short form (36 or 12) quality of life measures or the Euroquol EQ-5D measures). Additional outcomes, including undesirable or unintended outcomes and mechanisms known to be determinants of health or well-being (e.g. physical activity), are considered when reported along with health/well-being outcomes: Behaviors associated with physical activity (e.g., frequency, pattern, and intensity of activity, beliefs and intentions associated with physical activity). cognitive performance. Rate of recovery from illness or disability (physical or mental). Recording positive feelings or the meaning attributed by participants (whether the participant enjoyed/liked the experience). Data on outcomes related to social cohesion (e.g. UK Citizenship Survey 2009-10, Cohesion Actions) where reported. Nutritional Information. Adverse or unintended results are also included, which may include: physical injury. Decline in mental and emotional health. Inability to recover from illness or injury. Increased stress. qualitative research The results of the embeddable qualitative study will be in the form of themes, concepts and metaphors related to the experience, meaning and perceived impact of the community garden and any factors that support or hinder its success. Potential effect modifiers and heterogeneity It is expected that there will be significant heterogeneity in research design, method, population, results and analysis. This is likely due to factors ranging from the nature of the activities to the disciplinary origins of the study. Furthermore, the heterogeneity is expected to be related to the breadth of goals and uses of activities that can potentially be included in the review, which will range from traditional community gardens designed to provide vegetables to specific therapeutic interventions. Therefore, only where there is sufficient homogeneity between designs, methods, populations, and outcomes, a full meta-analysis is performed. Meta-analysis is used to draw broader conclusions about the impact of activities when heterogeneity is sufficiently limited. Chi-square tests indicate heterogeneity and caution should be exercised when applied to small studies. Since the nature and extent of the available data cannot be predicted, the potential effect modifiers cannot be identified a priori. However, it is expected that, where the data allow, the impact of factors such as age, gender, duration of intervention, and type, location and context of the intervention will be considered; this is not an exhaustive list but provides an indication of the factors that may be relevant. study selection Titles and abstracts (if available) identified through the search process (both academic and gray literature) will be uploaded to EndNote, deduplicated and double-checked against the inclusion criteria by 2 reviewers (RL, KH), and disagreements will be resolved by discussion or solved, possibly a third expert (RG). Potentially eligible studies are obtained in full text and then double reviewed by two reviewers (RL and KH), with disagreements resolved through discussion or by reference to the opinion of a third reviewer (RG). data extraction and management The data will be extracted into custom-made forms specifically designed for this review by two researchers (RL and KH). For both quantitative and qualitative studies, details of the intervention (frequency, locations, types of activities, theory, etc.), participants (number, demographics, etc.), and researchers/evaluators (funding, institution, etc.) are recorded. For quantitative studies, details related to study design and conduct are extracted, including: timing of assessment of results, type of control activities, assignment of participants to intervention or control groups, and potential confounders. Specific data extracted from qualitative studies includes themes, concepts (first and second order concepts are clearly identified), and citations identified by the study authors. Equity data is also extracted after the PROGRESS Plus factors [57]. Assessment of the risk of bias and study quality The assessment of the quality and the risk of bias of both quantitative and qualitative studies is carried out by two reviewers (RL and KH) and differences of opinion are resolved through discussion and, if necessary, a third reviewer (RG). The quality and the risk of bias are taken into account during the synthesis and included in the reporting of the results where appropriate. Quantitative Studies The quality and risk of bias in quantitative studies are assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project tool [58]. The tool accounts for factors such as risk of selection bias, completion rates, study design, confounders, blinding, intervention integrity, and analytical robustness. When meta-analyses are performed, publication bias is examined using funnel plots. All potential sources of bias are fully considered and discussed in the report. If insufficient details or missing data are found, they will be requested from the study authors. Where datasets are missing, meta-analyses are performed according to intention-to-treat analysis. When additional data is not available or obtainable, analysis is performed, but limitations and the extent of missing data are noted and highlighted in the report. Qualitative Studies The quality of the implementation and reporting of the included qualitative studies is evaluated using the Wallace criteria [59]. This approach takes into account theoretical perspective, research question, study design, context, sampling, data collection, analysis, reflexivity, generalizability and ethics. There is a possibility that there are certain biases associated with the studies that consider community gardening activities. In particular, it is likely that the origin of the research, which in some cases may not be of academic origin or peer-reviewed, may introduce bias. The authors' experience in conducting previous reviews of similar activities suggests that a number of the studies may have been conducted by those who delivered the intervention. This can be another source of distortion. It is also likely that there will be significant shortcomings in the quality of reporting (of method, intervention specifics and outcomes). In addition, study funding may also come from organizations that have a vested interest in community gardening, and study authors may also be employed by these organizations. Data synthesis and presentation quantitative data Quantitative studies are used to assess the strength and direction of evidence of impact and, where possible, to generate more accurate estimates of impact through random impact meta-analyses. If the quantitative study design or the results are so heterogeneous that a meta-analysis is excluded, a narrative synthesis approach is used [60]. Continuous data are presented in terms of means and standard deviations (SD) using the original scale whenever possible. Where appropriate, scales are combined and standardized mean differences (SMDs) are calculated. Ordinal data (in the form of validated measurement scales) are also likely and follow the guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration [61]; Shorter scales are grouped and analyzed as dichotomous outcomes for which odds ratios are calculated. For longer order scales, counts and rates are treated as continuous in the analyses. If outcome measures are on the same scale in all studies, weighted mean differences are calculated. If necessary, forest plots are created by the meta-analyses. Repeated observations and recurring events are likely in this review, where present, ongoing analysis is performed in relation to each time frame. Particular care is taken to ensure that participants are only included once in meta-analyses. Cluster RCTs are not expected to be identified for inclusion in this review, however when included, an analysis is performed using summary statistics for each cluster. Similarly, where identified and included, multi-arm studies are analyzed using individual pairwise comparisons calculated by combining groups. Where the data allow (i.e. sufficient homogeneity of study design, intervention, outcome, measures), formal meta-analyses in the form of random effects models are created. Study heterogeneity is assessed using l2 statistic when possible, where not qualitative, and meta-analyses are performed when a combination would provide meaningful results. When there is significant heterogeneity, quantitative studies are combined and examined using narrative synthesis approaches (eg, by tabulating and contrasting results according to factors associated with heterogeneity). Where possible, visual techniques are used to represent the quantitative synthesis in an accessible way, for example when performing a meta-analysis, creating forest or crop plots. When using a narrative approach, tables (indicating factors such as study quality, study n, strength, and direction(s) of results) are used to visually present trends in results. qualitative data Qualitative studies are used to capture the holistic experience and importance of community gardens for those involved, and to understand the pathways to engagement, the process of participation, and factors that may mediate their experiences. The exact synthesis methods for the included qualitative research depend on the type of evidence identified. For example, when data are largely descriptive, a thematic analysis is used, while conceptually richer studies might be better suited to a meta-ethnographic approach [62, 63]. As with the quantitative data, visual techniques are used to illustrate the nature of the qualitative data and their synthesis. Overall Synthesis The individual quantitative and qualitative syntheses are carried out in parallel and then brought together in a higher-level narrative synthesis (Popay et al. [60]). Narrative synthesis allows for the contextualized integration of different forms of evidence to better understand the subject matter of the review. This approach is particularly useful in reviews of the effectiveness of complex interventions such as community gardening. If the data allows, the analysis will be sensitive to impacts on different groups of people (e.g. old age, adults and children, people with mental illness or learning disabilities, people with dementia, people recovering from certain medical conditions or addictions) or each by program considered type (e.g. location, type of activity, destination, etc.). Die qualitative Evidenz wird auch genutzt, um jene Faktoren zu untersuchen, die die erfolgreiche Entwicklung, Nutzung und Nachhaltigkeit der jeweiligen Form von Gemeinschaftsgärten für unterschiedliche Personengruppen fördern oder behindern. Die kombinierte narrative Synthese wird verwendet, um die Theorie des Wandels und das konzeptionelle Modell zu entwickeln (siehe Abbildung 1) [48]. Die Theorie des Wandels, die durch diese Überprüfung entwickelt wurde, wird durch akademische, praktische und Laientheorien, die in den Beweisen offensichtlich sind, informiert; dies wird dann in das konzeptionelle Modell eingearbeitet und dargestellt. Das Modell basiert auf den synthetisierten Ergebnissen sowohl der quantitativen als auch der qualitativen Evidenz und baut auf diesen auf.

Managing a community garden can be one of the most rewarding experiences ever. It can also be challenging. While we’ve offered our advice on how to overcome the challenges of such an endeavor, there is one issue we have yet to address, one that takes place off the ground but is no less important. This challenge (or opportunity) involves generating word of mouth for your community garden to get much-needed support. This support is necessary to the longevity of your local farming project as you will need outside volunteers, supplies and donations to make your garden the self-sustaining entity it can be.

4 proactive “word of mouth” tips for growing a community garden

1. Come up with a unique concept

The concept of community gardening in urban/suburban settings is considered a trend today. While this mainstream attention is tremendous, it presents a challenge when it comes to educating the public about your own community garden. If you’re relying on that word of mouth for financial and volunteer support, you need to get a little more creative than you have in the past. Thankfully, finding a solution will be a fun process! For example, community gardens that capture the interest and imagination of local children have a better chance of success. By incorporating concepts like those outlined in this article on how to engage children more in a community garden, not only will your garden gain popularity with the local youth, your “story” will also gain local media attention drag (more on that in point #4 below) and the like.

Another approach you can consider is collaborating with the youngsters or students in designing the garden and other uses! Our funded project with the Edible Garden Project in the schoolyard at Sutherland Secondary in North Vancouver took this approach. How wonderful it is that students can have a say in the design of their future outdoor classroom!

Consider your resources, your unique location and let your creativity run wild – every garden/farm is inherently special, you just need to find out what makes yours so.

2. Increase support for your garden by increasing your social media presence

You have one of the most effective public relations tools at your disposal – social media. By creating a page/profile for your community garden on Facebook, Twitter and a visual social sharing channel like Instagram or Pinterest, you can develop a live personality for your community garden that can engage your audience. Assign the most socially (online) savvy person on your board to create these profiles. Once you’re done, it’s time to contact the Social Media Advocacy Committee. Chances are that some of the people involved in the project have a fairly strong network of friends and followers who would be happy to support (like/follow) the initiatives they care about. Let them act as advocates and invite their followers to like/follow and share your community garden profiles. This creates a domino effect that trickles through each individual and their own respective networks until word of your community garden gets around, giving you a platform to discuss upcoming events and opportunities for others to support one another. Follow these best practices for nonprofits on Twitter, which essentially apply to any other social network, and watch your social media Klout grow in the community garden.

3. Build a strong online presence with a website dedicated to your community garden

Take it a step further by developing a simple yet eye-catching website for your community garden. There are free templates, cheap monthly subscriptions, and simple WordPress themes that even a beginner can use to create a simple website for their community project. If this proves difficult, there are website development companies in your area who may be taking nonprofit jobs for free to support their community and garner goodwill while adding value to their portfolio. A website gives you an online home for your community garden. It gives you a place to add content (photos/videos of the project, etc.), make public announcements (up and coming farmers markets you’re involved with), and serve as a base for your social media efforts Link back to . By maintaining a website for your community garden, you essentially provide interested parties (volunteers and finance/suppliers) with a portal to learn more before they decide to contact you.

4. Contact your local news outlets

Getting local media to tell the story of your community garden is a very effective way to get additional support for your project. Volunteers, benefactors and businesses that can provide supplies (soil, tools, building materials, etc.) keep up with what is happening in the community through local media and are more likely to get involved when a project is covered by an authoritative source. So how do you get that media attention? It’s important to understand that local news sources prefer to have as much information as possible before delivering a story to their audience. First of all, a strong social media presence gives you the opportunity to reach local (and even national) media through their own social media channels. You can get on their radar by getting your community garden social personality to engage their (local media) own social networks. “Like” and “Share” their authors’ stories if they are relevant to your project. You’ll notice this engagement, reciprocate, and monitor your posts. They have now planted the seed for a public interest story to write. Second, by setting up a website, you have given them (the media) instant access to content (photos, stories and information about the showcases involved) about your community garden project. You’ll have your research time cut in half, which writers love! If the story isn’t so well received, simply email the author with a submitted story about your community garden. Most publications have guidelines for submitting stories.

Do you have a community garden project going that you’d like to share? We would be happy to get in touch with you on the social networks of our foundation. Follow us on the Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest profiles.

Food for ME: Citizen Action for Community Food Recovery

Originally created by Extension Educators Marjorie Hundhammer and Joyce Kleffner, University of Maine Cooperative Extension. Revised and updated by Extension Educator Barbara Murphy, University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, see extension.umaine.edu.

For more of our publications and books, see extension.umaine.edu/publications/.

A community garden is typically a piece of public land tended collectively by a group of people interested in growing fresh fruits and vegetables, creating a community, and connecting with the environment. This factsheet from the Food for ME series provides suggestions on how to start a community gardening project, recruit volunteers and plant a garden plot.

Follow these steps to successfully organize a community garden

1. Organize a meeting with interested people

Determine if a garden is needed and desired. What kind of garden should it be: flowers, vegetables, organic? Will there be individual or group lots? Invite neighbors, friends, church groups, gardening groups, and apartment dwellers: anyone who might be interested in getting the project off the ground. It can take more than a year to have all the pieces in place for a successful community garden.

2. Form a planning committee

This group is made up of people who really want to make the community garden a reality and have the time to dedicate to organizing it. Choose well-organized people as garden coordinators. Form subcommittees as needed to address specific issues such as land procurement, policy writing, sponsorship seeking, and communications.

3. Find a sponsor

Some community gardens support themselves through membership fees, but for many, gaining a sponsor is essential to receive large items like irrigation or fencing. Contact city recreation offices, citizens’ initiatives and churches with your idea and emphasize the advantages for the city and the people involved. Be creative: auction square feet of land, offer to put sponsors’ names on a benefactors wall, or offer to donate products to a cause in exchange for support.

4. Select a website

Work with the town’s members to find a suitable location. For maximum yield, the site should receive at least eight hours of sun per day during the growing season—preferably more. For a simple activity to determine how much sun a piece of land is getting, randomly place paper cups over the area being considered for the garden. At 9:00 a.m., put a piece of popcorn in each cup that is in the sun. Do this every two hours until 5:00 p.m. The cups with the most popped corn got the most sun at the end of the day.

Good drainage is more important than fertility: nutrients can be added relatively cheaply, while correcting poor drainage is time-consuming and expensive. Also think of easy access, a water source and parking.

5. Prepare the site

In all likelihood, the site will need to be tilled, adjusted to soil survey results, and laid out in plots and paths. Create a master plan and organize a day or two of work to get the site garden ready. Remember to include space for compost heaps, pathways, tool sheds, a communications area, etc. if needed.

6. Consider a children’s room

Involving children is essential to encouraging family time and encouraging the development of lifelong gardeners. Children aren’t necessarily interested in the same goals as adults, so provide a separate area for them to explore, plant, play, and harvest at their own pace.

7. Set rules and put them in writing

Adults are more willing to follow rules when they have a say in their development. Don’t be so restrictive that new gardeners may feel like they can’t participate. The following topics need to be discussed:

How much the fees will be and how the money will be used

How common areas (paths, edges) are preserved

Whether pets are allowed

What practices and cultures are acceptable

How are lots allocated?

What happens if a property is not maintained

8. Work together to create a community

Good communication will make it easier to follow gardening guidelines. Make sure the garden coordinator has contact information for all participants. Create a news section for updates and notifications, take and post photos, and celebrate regularly.

How you can help recover food

To get involved in community food recovery, use the ideas in the Food for ME factsheets, call the National Hunger Hotline at 800.453.2648 (800.GLEAN.IT) or 866.348.6479 (866.3.HUNGRY). or visit WhyHunger.

Food Restoration Resources

Legal Resources

Ground Rules: A Community Gardening Legal Toolkit is a Public Health Law & Policy Toolkit. It provides legal resources for establishing community gardens on vacant land that, unlike public land, is owned by individuals or other private entities.

The toolkit describes the rights and obligations of the landowner, the supporting organization and the gardener. It includes these resources:

Model Community Garden Lease (between a landowner and a non-profit organization)

Model Gardener Agreement (between the sponsoring non-profit organization and an individual gardener)

Model Rules for Community Gardens (which describe how a garden works, including the privileges and duties of gardeners)

Two discussion checklists (outlining points the sponsoring organization needs to cover when orienting new gardeners)

Yarmouth Community Garden Maine is home to a growing number of thriving community gardens. Established in 2003, Yarmouth Community Garden (YCG) has grown into one of the largest and most diverse community gardens in the state. One hundred and forty 10 x 10 foot rental lots are available to residents. The plots are equipped with annual tillage, game fencing, convenient water supply and compost. YCG’s popular Children’s Garden features a lively playground and weekly Garden Explorers Camp. Children grow and harvest produce from the pizza garden, cucumber tunnel, bean tipis and strawberry patch. They are invited to practice their letters in the A-Z garden, hide in the giant sunflower house or fly through the butterfly garden on their way to the pumpkin patch. Children also help organize weekly donations to local food supplies. Planted, tended and harvested by volunteers, the YCG Community Plot continues to be one of the largest garden donors to the Cumberland County Maine Harvest for Hunger program, distributing more than 5,000 pounds of fresh organic vegetables to local food supplies and seniors in need in 2010. See Yarmouth Community Garden for more information.

A Harvest for Hunger: Yarmouth Community Gardens (YouTube)

Maine Harvest for Hunger: York County (YouTube)

The information in this publication is for educational purposes only. No responsibility is accepted for problems related to the use of the mentioned products or services. No endorsement of any product or company is intended, nor is criticism of any unnamed product or company implied.

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For information on University of Maine Cooperative Extension publications and program offerings, call 800.287.0274 (in Maine) or 207.581.3188 or visit extension.umaine.edu.

The University of Maine is an EEO/AA employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender expression, national origin, citizenship status, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in employment, education and all other programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle nondiscrimination policy inquiries: Sarah E. Harebo, Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System) .

Community gardens are land, mostly in urban areas, rented by individuals or groups for private gardens or for the benefit of the people tending the garden. Browse these resources to learn more about healthy, local food.

Start a community garden by following these 10 steps:

Plan your community garden. Make your community garden a legal entity. Register your community garden for taxes. Open a business account and credit card. Set up your community garden accounting Garden Brand Create your community garden website. Set up your business phone system

There is more to starting a business than just registering with the state. We’ve put together this simple guide to starting your community garden. These steps will ensure your new business is well planned, properly registered and legally compliant.

Are you exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential to success as an entrepreneur. It will help you grasp the ins and outs of your business and uncover some unknowns. Some important issues to consider are:

Luckily, we’ve done a lot of that research for you.

What are the costs of opening a community garden?

The cost of starting a community garden ranges from $3,750 to $7,500. Costs include setting up the garden near a water source, maintaining city fees, insurance, and contractors’ wages. A large community garden can even cost up to $30,000.

What are the running costs for a community garden?

Every community garden requires liability insurance, which can cost anywhere from $750 to $2,000 per year. All properties not maintained by members can be maintained for approximately $50 to $100 per year. Monthly rent can range from $2,000 to $4,000 depending on the size and location of the property.

Who is the target market?

The best community garden clients are those who have a deep understanding of plants, fruits, vegetables, and gardening. While community gardens often help clients maintain their growth, improper maintenance can damage the entire garden. Clients should be respectable in the area, have a basic understanding of wildlife and be assured of constant access to protected areas.

How does a community garden make money?

A community garden thrives on its community members. Typically, they make money through ongoing memberships. These memberships can be either basic or include ongoing gardening supplies. Additional income opportunities exist in garden shops, seed shops, courses and similar visitor experiences. Some community gardens offer wildlife tours, where members can pay a fee to access beehives, bird feeders, and similar areas.

How much can you charge customers?

Community garden customers can be billed anywhere from $25 to $50 per year. However, this price varies depending on the size of the plot. If you’re looking to sell seeds, you can charge anywhere from $2 to $15 per pack, depending on the size.

How much profit can a community garden make?

If a community garden is smart about maintaining memberships and selling produce, it can generate up to $50,000 in revenue per year. However, this number varies from garden to garden. If the community garden is in a densely populated area, the rental costs can be higher. Also, the expenses vary from year to year. A sustainable food operation depends on the local economy, as does the ability of many to market and retain members.

How can you make your business more profitable?

If possible, give members an incentive to sell their products. If a community garden can distribute produce profitably, it generates much more revenue. Scaling a community garden can be difficult, but purchasing power for food is usually high. Ensure all products sold are of a competitive selling standard.

What will you name your company?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t have a name in mind yet, visit our How to name a business guide or let our community garden name generator help you come up with a name

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you may wish to operate under a company name other than your own. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a company name, we recommend researching your company name by checking the following:

Your state’s business records

Federal and state trademark records

social media platforms

Availability of web domains.

It is very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Find a domain Powered by GoDaddy.com now

STEP 2: Establish a legal entity

The most common forms of business are sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLC) and corporations.

Forming a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your community garden is sued.

Form your LLC

Read our guide to forming your own LLC. Select your state Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

ZenBusiness LegalZoom ($79 + government fees)

You can form an LLC yourself and only pay the minimal state LLC fees, or hire one of the best LLC services for a small additional fee.

Recommended: You must choose a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages typically include a free year of registered agent services. You can choose to engage a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You must register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open your business.

To register for taxes, you must apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can purchase your EIN for free through the IRS website, by fax, or by mail. If you want to learn more about EINs and their benefits for your LLC, read our article What is an EIN?.

Learn how to get an EIN with our What is an EIN guide, or find your existing EIN using our EIN locator guide.

Small Business Taxes

Depending on the company structure you choose, you may have different choices about how your company is taxed. For example, some LLCs could benefit from being taxed as an S corporation (S-Corp).

You can learn more about small business taxes in these guides:

There are certain state taxes that may apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account and credit card

Using dedicated commercial bank and credit accounts is essential to protecting personal wealth.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk if your business is sued. In commercial law, this is referred to as penetrating the corporate veil.

Additionally, by learning how to build business credit, you can get credit cards and other financing on your company’s behalf (instead of your own), better interest rates, higher lines of credit, and more.

Open a commercial bank account

In addition to the prerequisite for applying for business loans, opening a business bank account is:

Separates your personal wealth from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal wealth protection.

Facilitates bookkeeping and tax returns.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Businesses report to find the best national bank or credit union.

Open 30 net accounts

Net 30 accounts are used to establish and build business credit and increase business cash flow. With a Net 30 account, companies buy goods and pay back the entire balance within 30 days.

NetMany Net 30 credit providers report to the major credit bureaus (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business and Equifax Business Credit). This is how companies build business credit so they can qualify for credit cards and other lines of credit.

Recommended: Read our top 30 best net providers, do them and start building business credit.

Get a business credit card

Purchasing a business credit card will help you:

Separate personal and business expenses by consolidating all of your company’s expenses in one place.

Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful later to raise funds.

Recommended: Apply for an easy-to-approve business credit card from Divvy and quickly build your business credit.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Keeping track of your various expenses and revenue streams is critical to understanding your organization’s financial performance. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax return.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC expense cheat sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain the required permits and licenses

Failure to obtain the required permits and licenses can result in hefty fines or even the closure of your business.

State and local business license requirements

Certain government permits and licenses may be required to operate a travel photography business.

Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting the SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

In addition, certain local licensing or regulatory requirements may apply.

Check with the regulatory office in your town, city or district

Get assistance from one of the local associations listed in the US Small Business Association’s Directory of Local Business Resources.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax affects your business, read our small business sales tax article.

Information on local licenses and permits:

Check with the regulatory office in your town, city or district

Get assistance from one of the local associations listed in the US Small Business Association’s Directory of Local Business Resources.

occupancy certificate

A community garden is usually run on a vacant lot. Businesses operating from a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO certifies that all building codes, zoning laws, and government regulations have been met.

If you are planning to lease a community garden site:

The landlord is generally responsible for obtaining a CO.

Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that applies to a community garden business.

After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business is being renovated prior to opening, it is recommended that you include a note on your lease agreement that rent payments will not begin until a valid CO is issued.

If you are planning to buy or build a community garden:

You are responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government agency.

Check all building codes and zoning codes for your business location to ensure your community garden business is compliant and able to receive a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just like with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance to operate safely and lawfully. Business liability insurance protects the financial well-being of your company in the event of damage.

There are different types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks your business might face, start with general liability insurance. This is the most common coverage small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start your business.

Find out more about general liability insurance.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses require is workers’ compensation insurance. If your company will have employees, there’s a good chance your state will require you to have workers’ compensation insurance.

Recommendation: Find out how much business insurance costs for your community garden. Business insurance for

community garden

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for and how your company is perceived by the public. A strong brand helps your company stand out from the competition.

If you’re not feeling confident designing your small business logo, check out our beginner’s design guides. We will give you helpful tips and advice to create the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended: Get a logo with Truic’s free logo maker, no email or signup required, or use a premium logo maker.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our free QR code generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications or to raise awareness for your new website.

How to promote and market a community garden

You should find volunteers. The advertising and marketing of a community garden surrounds its membership program. These volunteers should have leaders, and these leaders should promote the community garden at nearby fundraisers, book fairs, school events, and garden supply stores.

How to get customers to come back

You will attract customers by creating easy sign-up opportunities. Send emails and brochures to local clubs. When volunteers arrive, teach them about gardening in workshops. Many members of the community garden are one-time growers. To keep these one-time customers, you need to give them plenty of harvesting opportunities. Use existing organizations, reach civil society groups, school classes and scout groups.

Still not sure what kind of business you want to start? Check out the latest small business trends for inspiration.

STEP 9: Build your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo, the next step is to create a website for your business.

While building a website is an essential step, some may fear that they are out of their reach due to their lack of website building experience. While this may have been a valid fear in 2015, web technology has made tremendous strides in recent years, making life for small business owners a lot easier.

Here are the top reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

All reputable companies have websites – period. The size or industry of your business doesn’t matter when it comes to getting your business online.

– Point. The size or industry of your business doesn’t matter when it comes to getting your business online. Social media accounts like Facebook Pages or LinkedIn company profiles are not a substitute for your own company website.

that you own. Website builder tools like GoDaddy’s website builder have made creating a simple website extremely easy. You don’t have to hire a web developer or designer to create a website you can be proud of.

With our website building guides, the process is easy and painless and shouldn’t take more than 2-3 hours.

Recommended: Get started with our recommended website builder today, or check out our top website builder rating.

Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Setting up a phone for your business is one of the best ways to keep your personal and business lives separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; It also helps you automate your business more, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We reviewed the top companies and ranked them on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the best business phone systems of 2022 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and its fair prices.

Start a community garden in your state

Retirement housing options

Excerpt: Belonging to a supportive, caring community has a positive impact on an older adult’s physical and mental health through both good times and difficult times. Resilient senior communities help residents adapt and deal with challenges in positive, effective, and healthy ways. Retirement allows older adults to remain socially connected while physically distancing, enjoying balanced, nutritious meals, and benefiting from attentive, compassionate personal care to safely meet their physical and emotional health needs.

Belonging to a supportive, caring community has a positive impact on a person’s overall health in good times and adversity*, whether it’s a neighborhood, cultural or religious community, or retirement home, according to Ontario’s Alliance for Healthier Communities (AHC).

The power of a strong, supportive community, where people engage and help one another practically, emotionally, and socially, also enables vulnerable individuals and the wider community to better respond, adapt, and recover from negative events like the COVID-19 pandemic to recover. advises McMaster University.*

Here are some important ways that community living and social connections can provide positive, protective health benefits:

Important social connection and engagement.

Social bonding and engagement are linked to better physical health and a stronger immune system for older adults, improved mood, and a reduced risk of dementia, according to Psychology Today*. Social connections also help people recover from stressful situations while bringing meaning and purpose to life*, advises HealthLink BC. Even in quarantine situations, senior residence staff regularly check in with residents and engage with them through “in-suite” entertainment such as daily puzzles, riddles and crosswords. Staff can also help set up video calls and other virtual visits with family and friends.

Community belonging promotes physical and mental health.

Living in a vibrant community gives people a sense of belonging, which reduces the risk of mental health problems, lowers mortality from heart disease and contributes to better overall health,* says AHC.

Resilient communities come together and adapt.

Resilient communities protect and support the health and well-being of vulnerable members as they adapt to and overcome adversity.* Some key characteristics of resilient communities in confronting major challenges are: showing strong leadership, fostering social cohesion, clear communication, effective education, planning and implementation effective reactions and appreciation of positive thoughts and mental attitudes*, report researchers from McMaster University.

Never be alone

Living in retirement means employees can offer them comfort, compassion and the reassurance of human connection even when residents are separated from family and friends. Attentive, well-trained staff also monitor and assist residents with personal care, medication, and other specialized services to meet their needs. If a problem arises, residents always have access to staff, giving residents and families peace of mind.

Easy access to balanced, nutritious meals.

While it’s especially important for older adults now to eat regular, nutritious meals to protect and strengthen their immune systems,* suggests the Harvard School of Public Health, some older adults living alone may not have easy or safe access to good food. Living in a senior community that provides residents with nutritious, tasty meals makes regular healthy eating easy. Staff can set up meal video appointments for residents to also eat with family or friends.

ensure safety and well-being

A community that follows diligent infection control and prevention measures and enhanced workplace safety processes protects the health and well-being of residents and employees.

*The following sources are references for this blog in order of appearance:

1. Alliance for Healthier Communities. “The Guide to Belonging: Exploring the Importance of Belonging to Good Health.” (2020), online: http://www.communityhealthandwellbeing.org/resources/belonging_guide

2. McMaster University. “Community Resilience: Responding to and Recovering from Disasters.” (2020), online: https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/blog/2020/05/06/community-resilience-responding-to-and- recovering from disasters together

3. Psychology today. “The Health Benefits of Socializing.” (2016), online: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/living-mild-cognitive-impairment/201606/the-health-benefits-socializing

4. HealthLink BC. “Social Connections.” (2018), online: https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/abl0295

5. Harvard School of Public Health. “Ask the Expert: The Role of Diet and Supplements During COVID-19.” (2020), online: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/2020/04/01/ask-the-expert- the-role-of-diet-and-nutritional-supplements-during-covid-19/

Share on Pinterest At the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, as lockdowns put millions out of work and headlines predicted food shortages, concerned Americans grabbed rakes and spades. Many people were cut off from social gatherings. They worried about empty shelves and contaminated grocery stores. And they needed something to keep school kids busy. In response, a record number of people began cultivating Corona victory gardens. Within weeks, seeds, seedlings and fruit trees were selling out online and in garden centers. It turns out that whether you’re coping with a crisis or not, the urge to garden is actually a great idea because gardening is one of the healthiest hobbies you can develop. Read on to learn about the many benefits gardening can bring to you and your community.

Gardening can help protect your memory as you age. Doctors have also known for some time that exercise improves cognitive function in the brain. There is some debate as to whether gardening alone is sufficient to affect cognitive abilities such as memory. But new evidence shows that gardening can stimulate the growth of your brain’s memory-related nerves. Researchers in Korea gave 20-minute gardening activities to people being treated for dementia in an inpatient facility. After residents raked and planted vegetable gardens, the researchers discovered elevated levels of some cranial nerve growth factors linked to memory in both men and women. In a 2014 research report, analysts found that horticultural therapy — using the garden to improve mental health — can be an effective treatment for people with dementia. In fact, in the Netherlands and Norway, people with dementia often participate in pioneering greencare programs where they spend a large part of the day working on farms and gardens.

Gardening is a Mood Elevator Studies in the United States and abroad have found that gardening improves your mood and boosts your self-esteem. When people spend time in a garden, their anxiety goes down and they feel less depressed. In a multi-year study published in 2011, people with depression engaged in gardening for 12 weeks. The researchers then measured several aspects of their mental health, including symptoms of depression, and found that all improved significantly. And these improvements continued months after the intervention ended.

Gardening Provides Calm After Stressful Events Gardening can help you unwind after experiencing something stressful. In a 2011 study, researchers exposed study participants to a stressful activity. Then they asked half the group to spend time quietly reading and the other half to do gardening. When the researchers tested the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their bodies, they found that the gardening group recovered better from the stress than the reading group. The garden group also reported that their mood had returned to a positive state – while fewer readers had.

Gardening is a powerful tool when recovering from an addiction. In one study, researchers found that plants evoked positive feelings and were an effective rehabilitation tool in people recovering from alcohol addiction. In another study, people in an addiction rehabilitation program were given the opportunity to participate in a natural recovery where they could choose either art or gardening as their natural therapy. People who chose gardening completed the rehab program more often and reported more satisfying experiences than those who chose art.

Gardening Can Give You a Sense of Agency and Autonomy Growing your own garden has historically been a way to resist injustice and claim space in a world that isn’t always responsive to your needs. During the forced internment of Japanese Americans in concentration camps in the American West, thousands of gardens sprang up behind the barbed wire fences. Rock gardens, vegetable gardens, ornamental landscapes with waterfalls and ponds – all cultivated to reclaim both the land and cultural identity. In an ecofeminist study entitled “Sisters of the Soil: Urban Gardening as Resistance in Detroit,” researcher Monica White describes the work of eight black women who viewed gardening as a way to resist “the social structures that the… Perpetuating inequality in terms of “access to healthy food” that enables them “to create outdoor, living, learning and healing spaces for themselves and for members of the community”. While plowing unkempt land and planting crops amidst barren food deserts, these gardeners simultaneously improved their own health outcomes, battled unresponsive food suppliers, and built a sense of self-determination. If you’re looking for a way to tackle food inequality — or any injustice in your own life — you can start with this powerful act: grow your own. Read more about gardening from the authors of Michelle Obama’s color book American Grown

“The Food Revolution” by Will Allen

The Color of Food: Stories of Race, Resilience, and Farming by Natasha Bowens You can find these books at your local library or bookstore, or order them online by clicking on the links above.

Gardening Can Help You Overcome Environmental Anxiety The American Psychological Association confirms the findings of numerous researchers: For many people, watching the gradual, unabated effects of climate change increases daily stress levels and creates a nagging sense of guilt. One of the most difficult aspects of this eco-anxiety? Researchers say it’s feeling like you’re powerless to do anything about it. To combat the negative health effects of environmental fears, you can garden with the goal of mitigating climate change. The National Wildlife Foundation recommends these actions if you want to reduce carbon yourself — and ease your own environmental fears in the process: Use manual tools instead of gas-powered ones.

Use drip lines, rain barrels, and mulch to reduce your water usage.

Compost to reduce waste and decrease methane production.

Turn your yard into a certified wildlife habitat and encourage your neighbors to do the same.

Plant trees to absorb carbon dioxide.

You Need to Take Care of Yourself When Gardening As with almost any activity, gardening involves certain risks to your health and safety. The CDC recommends that you take these precautions while you’re gardening: Always check the product directions when using chemicals in the garden. Some pesticides, weed killers, and fertilizers can be dangerous if used incorrectly.

Wear gloves, goggles, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and other safety gear, especially when using sharp tools.

Use bug spray and sunscreen.

Drink plenty of water and take frequent shade breaks to avoid overheating.

Keep an eye on children. Sharp tools, chemicals, and outdoor heat can pose greater threats to children.

Listen to your body. It’s easy to get injured when you’re hauling mulch bags and lifting shovels full of dirt.

Make sure you get vaccinated against tetanus every 10 years as tetanus lives in the soil.