Reach ‘ em , Teach ‘ em , and Let ‘ em Grow!

• PeoplePeople• PassionPassion• PlansPlans• PermissionPermission• PromisesPromises• PlacePlace• PenniesPennies• PartnershipsPartnerships

A non-profit organization in Birmingham, AL A non-profit organization in Birmingham, AL that promotes that promotes

sustainable agriculture and healthy eatingsustainable agriculture and healthy eating

Our HistoryOur HistoryJVUF began in 2001 by getting access to JVUF began in 2001 by getting access to

an abandoned lot on the Southside of Birmingham. an abandoned lot on the Southside of Birmingham.

There are over 20,000 acres of vacant land There are over 20,000 acres of vacant land inside the city limits.inside the city limits.

what we do at what we do at Jones Valley Urban FarmJones Valley Urban Farm

• Production organic farming on Production organic farming on 28 acres in 3 sites28 acres in 3 sites

• Retail, wholesale, and farmers’ Retail, wholesale, and farmers’ market sales, and on-site standsmarket sales, and on-site stands

• 50 subscription-member CSA50 subscription-member CSA

• Policy and outreach activities Policy and outreach activities

• 37 member community 37 member community allotment gardenallotment garden

• 12 educational programs for 12 educational programs for

children and adultschildren and adults

An educational program An educational program that provides community that provides community gardeners gardeners

• ResourcesResources• SkillsSkills• ToolsTools• Training Training

to develop and sustain their to develop and sustain their own community gardensown community gardens

Reach ‘emReach ‘em

Getting the word out: Getting the word out: community organizing 101community organizing 101

1. How to engage 1. How to engage the community the community

• OutreachOutreach• ExcitementExcitement• IncentivesIncentives

2. Establishing 2. Establishing the groupthe group

• RelationshipsRelationships• RolesRoles• RulesRules

Strengths and SupportsStrengths and Supports

- Meetings, announcements, fliers, and Meetings, announcements, fliers, and relationshipsrelationships

- Food system contacts- Food system contacts- Media contacts- Media contacts- Neighborhood associations- Neighborhood associations- RC&D Councils- RC&D Councils- County Extension- County Extension- Churches and Schools- Churches and Schools- The Community Collaboration Manual- The Community Collaboration Manual

……keep reaching…keep reaching…

3.3. Developing group Developing group visionvision

• WhyWhy• WhoWho• HowHow• What outcomesWhat outcomes

4.4. Build community Build community support and buy-insupport and buy-in

• Identify and access Identify and access community resourcescommunity resources

5. 5. Build relationshipsBuild relationships• Make friendsMake friends• Ask them for helpAsk them for help

Teach ‘emTeach ‘em

Engaging gardeners Engaging gardeners in in

Educational MethodsEducational Methods

1. 1. Gardeners choose Gardeners choose what they want to what they want to learnlearn

2. 2. HomeworkHomework

3. 3. Time and supportTime and support

4. 4. Peer support and peer Peer support and peer learninglearning

– Build relationshipsBuild relationships– Learn from each otherLearn from each other– Strength in numbersStrength in numbers

Experiential EducationExperiential Education

5. 5. Education isn’t complete until Education isn’t complete until you’ve assessed/evaluated the you’ve assessed/evaluated the learninglearning– The value of reflectionThe value of reflection– Reality checksReality checks– Cost/benefit assessment in more than just $$$...Cost/benefit assessment in more than just $$$...– Learn from successes and failuresLearn from successes and failures

Connecting gardeners to Connecting gardeners to otherother learning opportunitieslearning opportunities

• Service learning opportunities• Extension, Master Gardeners, and higher

education• School, church, scout, and other community

groups• Community specialists – chefs, landscape

designers, seniors, horticulturists, fitness, etc.

Tips for Successful GardeningTips for Successful Gardening• Crop Plan for

Successions• Start with the soil• Building compost• Propagation Basics• Irrigation • Pests• Weeds• Harvesting

Methods

1. Developing capacity and leadership

2. Providing positive activities and ongoing educational opportunities

3. Extending partnerships– Food policy councils– Farmers markets– Farm to school programs– New enterprise development

Follow-up & Follow-up & Follow-throughFollow-through

4.4. Check-in and supportCheck-in and support

• Visit, call, text, email, or writeVisit, call, text, email, or write

• Continue to invite new partners to Continue to invite new partners to the tablethe table

• Seek or initiate new opportunitiesSeek or initiate new opportunities

• 16 gardens started or 16 gardens started or supported by Growing supported by Growing Together since 2008Together since 2008

• All gardens are still All gardens are still active, some operate active, some operate seasonallyseasonally

Edwin MartyEdwin MartyJones Valley Urban FarmJones Valley Urban Farm205-439-7213205-439-7213www.jvuf.orgwww.jvuf.orgDirector@jvuf.org