1 Come Grow with Us ! Community Gardens Nicholas C. Scime Community Development Business Consultant.

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Come Grow with Us !Community Gardens

Nicholas C. Scime

Community Development Business Consultant

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Outcome of this Presentation

To Introduce Or Promote Community Gardens & Community Engagement

Definitions

“Community Gardens” means a plot of City land which is used by a Garden Collective to produce food, native and ornamental plants edible berries and food perennials.

“ Garden Collective” means a community organization ( a minimum 4-6) that come together for the purpose of operating a Community Garden.

“ Community Engagement Plan” is a plan developed by the Garden Collective in consultation with the City which will indicate what process will be used to asses whether there is Neighbourhood support for the community garden , and which plan on its approval , will be implemented by the “Garden Collective”

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Administration

Community Garden Network:Contact: Clare Wagner

Provides• Resources • Workshops• Newsletter ( Communication)• How To Start up Support• Network Meetings/ Events• Fundraising Ideas• Organized Trips

Operations & Waste Management Division:

Contact : Adam Watson

Provides• Application Process for New

Gardens• List of Lands Suitable for

gardens• A 3yr license agreement with

possible renewal• Will Remove Grass• Turn and Prepare Soil • Compost prior to the season

if available.

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Support Programs Recreation Division

Will supply Insurance for $10.00 per garden plot ( through Pearson & Dunn

Insurance.)

Parks Division Will supply wood chips depending on

availability for path ways in the gardens.

Parkview School & Jamesville Centre Will supply Garden Tools that can be lent

for a 24 hour period St. Peter’s: 905 544 0050, or Jamesville:

905 525 3069

William Dam Seeds ( Dundas), seed supplier

10% discount

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Guidelines for Selecting New Community Garden

1. Garden Collective is made up of 4-6 community citizens or a non profit group.

2. Expresses in writing an interest in developing a garden

3. The city in consultation with the collective will determine the location and deems it suitable

4. Residents have been consulted and are supportive of the use

5. Community garden does not conflict with established amenities /programs.

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Garden Collective Responsibilities

1. Send in a letter of interest to the City of Hamilton

2. Fill in an application to have a “Community Garden”

3. Design a Garden and plot structure with the City.

4. Collect Fees from citizens for plots

5. The collective pay for water if using city water paid by invoice.

6. Pay for Insurance $10.00 per plot to the Recreation Division

7. Maintain site in an orderly fashion

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Community Gardens Purpose & Users

Purpose

Produce food the growers enjoy

or are not be able to buy .

Subsidies grocery bill

Eat organic produce

Social activity in community

Share food with the community.

Users

Apartment Dwellers

International Citizens

Retired Individuals

Children

Spiritual Groups

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Location ! Location! Location !

Community Gardens Location is Key

• The Operations & Waste Management Division will assist in the selection of the most suitable properties available

• Gardens usually sit on an parcel of land of minimum 3 acres

• Other usage of the park or site is looked at during the initial site inspection

• Water Source near by is a key factor • Located on a Bus Route for easy

access • Preferred location would be near a

Facility for Possible Social Interaction i.e. Workshops etc

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Community Gardens in the Greater Hamilton

0

5

10

15

20

East West Mt East Mt West Total

2000

2005

2010

2015

Number & Location of Gardens in Hamilton

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Partners & Sponsors

Partners

• Public Works Department• Community Garden Network • Garden Network

• Garden Collective

Sponsors

Seed Companies

Garden Centers

Home Improvement Stores

Turkstra Lumber

Other

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Education Piece

ExamplesStoring Food Properly

Preserving Canning

Organic Gardens

Bug Clinic

Workshops Cooking

Trips Nutrition

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Websites

Hamilton Community Garden Network website:

http://www.naturallyhamilton.ca/community-gardening-hamilton

Coming Soon http://www.hcgn.ca

Hills Street Community Garden website

http://www.hillstreetgarden.org/

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Thank You For Your Participation

Conclusion

Community Gardens engage the residence to utilize an open

space in the neighbourhood.

This allows residents to socialize, recreate and produce food for themselves or the community.

This will mobilize the passion from within to assist in

development of a sustainable community

Contact Information

Nicholas C. Scime Community Development

Business Consultant

Cell 905 977-0521

Email [email protected]