Urban Agriculture

Maximizing

Introduction

Over the last decade, an increasing number of community-based organizations have pursued urban agriculture strategies, which includes cultivating, processing, and distributing food in or around urban areas. Thoughtfully designed urban agriculture approaches have been shown to have a variety of positive social, health, and economic impacts such as increased access to and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, decreases in food insecurity, and increases in food and health literacy. In addition to addressing basic nutritional needs, urban agriculture can contribute to communities’ overall physical health and well-being, while serving as a tool for education, community development and engagement, employment, exercise, conservation, socialization between generations, and cultural enrichment.

Since 2007, Aramark and the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities have partnered to help communities thrive by bringing resources to the local level and cultivating strong relationships. Aramark

Toolkit

Objectives

This toolkit supports community-based organizations’ urban agriculture efforts by providing:

An organizational assessment, highlighting things to consider before getting started (PAGE 6)

An overview of critical components to consider when planning (PAGE 8)

Proven, creative strategies for leveraging urban agriculture for greater impact (PAGE 11)

Sample evaluation components to help measure farms’ impact (PAGE 14)

Additional resources (PAGE 16)

Thank you to our strategic partners for sharing photos for inclusion in this toolkit.

and the Alliance have partnered closely with several community-based organizations leading urban agricultural efforts to help develop, maintain, and learn from the process.

Through this process, Pillsbury United Communities (Pillsbury) in Minneapolis and BakerRipley in Houston have identified several important aspects organizations must consider before starting an urban farm, critical components of successful urban agricultural approaches, and strategies to leverage to maximize the potential of a farm. Their insight has been compiled in this toolkit to help other communitybased organizations implement these approaches.

About Our Strategic Partners

Aramark has established long-term strategic partnerships with Alliance members BakerRipley and Pillsbury United Communities in their efforts to build healthier communities.

Both partners share a holistic approach to urban agriculture efforts and community wellness.

BakerRipley and Pillsbury focus on nutrition, health education, healthy food access, and community engagement as drivers of community well-being. This approach informs the diverse services offered as part of their urban agricultural work including hands-on learning opportunities, growing and planting activities, and events and celebrations that foster community connections. These holistic services have the potential for significant psychological (stress/ anxiety reduction), physical (exercise and nutrition), social (interaction, sharing, and connection), and intellectual (gardening knowledge and skills) benefits.

BakerRipley in Houston

Community gardens have long been a part of BakerRipley’s community center facilities. They leverage the land to improve the health and wellness of residents in under-resourced communities. In early 2014, as part of Aramark Building Community’s global day of service, the BakerRipley Harbach Campus developed a 74-bed urban farm, complete with easyaccess plots for senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, as well as A-frames, vertical frames and horizontal beds that are conducive to growing fruits and vegetables in Houston’s specific soil and climate. In 2016, a program design team reexamined the short-term goals for the farm and explored future opportunities to be considered in this space. In 2018, the team reconvened to review progress through the learning cycle process, reflect on successes, challenges, and lessons learned, and to prioritize goals for the farm moving forward. The design team engaged in thoughtful planning in late 2016 to determine the short-term and long-term goals of the farm space. The team learned from multiple sources including: 

Visiting other farms across Houston (such as Finca Tres Robles and the Last Urban Outpost)

Reviewing available and potential resources to consider

Conducting staff focus groups

Soliciting neighbor input

Incorporating community voice through appreciative inquiry

Assessing the community’s demographics and health and wellness challenges

Reviewing best practices in community farming

Research showed that the Greater Hobby neighborhood was at a heightened risk for chronic disease and obesity due to factors including income, ethnicity, education, and lack of access of primary and preventative health care and healthy food.

More than 70 community members, including adults, youth, and seniors, engaged in BakerRipley’s appreciative communitybuilding efforts. Community members stated that they viewed gardening as a tool for education, exercise, conservation, social interaction, and combating food insecurity, which reinforced the importance of holistic approaches for improving mental and physical health.

Among those interviewed, 22% of adults, 44% of seniors, and 22% of community partners expressed interest in gardening/ farming as a tool for learning and increasing community wellbeing. Focus group participants expressed interest in adopting garden beds, attending gardening 101 classes, social gardening activities, and youth gardening activities. Through this research, the team decided on four primary short-term goals for the BakerRipley Urban Farm: education, food access, community engagement, and wellness.

Pillsbury United Communities in Minneapolis

Pillsbury has a long history of urban agriculture. Its approaches have continually evolved with changes in community development, demographics, and technology. Pillsbury has been serving the Minneapolis community for over 140 years and food has always been an integral part of that story. The most recent iteration started under a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield. Permaculture is a farming design style that focuses on growing plants within an ecosystem that supports humans, the environment, and the produce grown. The first phase of work focused primarily on policy changes and engaging local communities to fight for the right for land access within Minneapolis. After years of working with the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Department, laws were rewritten to allow new urban gardens to be opened. This critical of journey advancing land access has led Pillsbury to the success it is achieving today.

The organization currently operates five outdoor farm sites within the urban agriculture portfolio and four of those sit on City of Minneapolis or Park Board land.

When Pillsbury first started supporting community members in growing their own food, that food was given away for free. Pillsbury’s two food shelves and two free meal programs provided a great opportunity for the food to be given out to the community with ease. These programs still rely on the produce from the urban agriculture program and continue to expand beyond.

Two years ago, Pillsbury opened a grocery store in North Minneapolis in the heart of what was considered one of the largest food deserts in the country, providing affordable, hyperlocal produce to the community. Any produce not sold in the store is used by community meal program chefs in lunches and dinners. At this point, any non-consumable food goes into the composting program to begin creating soil for next year’s urban agriculture efforts. Pillsbury is successfully closing the loop in its internal food system and becoming an example of what other community-based organizations might be able to do to create a holistic food system caring for neighbors, staff, and the environment.

Reflect and Plan

BEFORE GETTING STARTED

COMMUNITY NEEDS

Do you have a clear understanding of the community needs, interests, and broader community landscape? Specifically, do you know:

Before getting started, organizations should review the following prompts to assess their readiness for the work and determine the areas needing additional review and insight. 

Who else is working in this space with similar programs, initiatives, resources? 

What is the community’s interest level in this effort?  How will you address any community objections or reservations? 

What are the community’s demographics, cultural backgrounds, renter versus homeowner, and food preferences and needs?  What are the community’s gaps in healthy food access/education? 

GARDEN PURPOSE

Are you clear on the purpose and goals of your garden? Specifically, do you know:

How will you engage the community in providing input on the plans?  How will the community co-create the vision and execution of the farm?  What mechanism will be available for community members to lead the effort? 

What is the primary purpose of the garden?

Increase food access

Increase food production

Improve health

Develop workforce opportunities/skills

Build intergenerational relationships/community connections

Develop community cohesion

Increase educational and/or learning opportunities 

What are your intended outputs? 

How does the garden align with your organization’s intended outcomes/mission? 

What you plan to do with the produce grown in the garden? 

GARDEN LOCATION

Do you have a clear sense of where your farm or garden will be located and the implications of that particular property? Specifically, do you know:

Is the space available and what needs to happen to acquire access? 

Who owns the land and are they involved in your planning? 

What water and sun access exists?  How much of the land can be used for cultivation?

Homeowners might have gardens at home or might not have the same issues with acquiring land access, compared to renters.

For organizations with immigration or resettlement programs, many community members may have resettled in the city from countryside, but still desire to grow their own food. This is a great opportunity to leverage urban farms and gardens to reconnect people to the land.

Different Urban Agriculture Approaches

There are a wide variety of urban agriculture approaches. It is important to select the one(s) that best align with your communities’ interests, needs, and resources. 

COMMUNITY GARDENS | Create mixed-use space for growing produce and herbs by neighbors 

ROOFTOP GARDENS | Create green space and reduce urban heat islands and improve air quality 

BACKYARD GARDENS | Grow food for personal consumption on home properties

VERTICAL FARMS | Build farms upward to reduce the land footprint 

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY | Raise animals for food, including chickens, pygmy goats, rabbits, pigs, and ducks 

URBAN BEEKEEPING | Bees are responsible for pollinating crops and producing honey

Other approaches include aquaponics, hydroponics, green walls, greenhouses, small tactical gardens, rain gardens (useful in areas prone to flooding) and freight farms.

United Communities

Applying a Community-Oriented Approach

To ensure your efforts align with community needs and aspirations and that your neighbors are excited about the work and want to participate, keep the values of the settlement house movement in mind:  Engaging all voices  Co-creating with community  Advancing equity

This movement’s values recognize that all individuals, families, and communities, no matter how challenged, possess aspirations and strengths that can be the foundation for meaningful, lasting change.

The practice of authentically engaging individuals in identifying their own strengths, aspirations, and solutions was used by the first settlement workers and it holds true today. It is evident that building on individual and community assets and engaging neighbors and constituents as decision makers better ensures lasting and transformational change compared with models where outside “experts” conceive and impose solutions. Authentic engagement, personcentered and strength-based orientations have demonstrated efficacy when adopted by organizations that work to build stronger communities.

The same is true when developing urban agriculture strategies. Organizations should engage their community to understand how best to tailor urban agriculture programs, just as they would tailor treatment, support and care to specific soils and plants. Different approaches are better suited for different places, meaning farms and gardens will vary in terms of soil, food grown, and community engagement.

For example, various communities throughout Minneapolis are leading the charge in developing urban agricultural strategies that reflect their culture, needs and preferences: 

SOUTH MINNEAPOLIS | The Waite House, serving a large Native American population, prioritizes sage, sweetgrass, tobacco, other native plant medicinals, vegetables, and fruits

NEAR NORTH SIDE NEIGHBORHOOD | The Oak Park Farm, serving a large African-American population, prioritizes collards, melons, strawberries, turnips, cucumbers, tomatoes, mixed greens, beans, broccoli, radish, kohlrabi, cabbage, carrots and beets 

CEDAR-RIVERSIDE NEIGHBORHOOD | The Brian Coyle Farm, serving a large Somalian population, leverages an east African technique; in this “keyhole bed” approach, composting occurs in the middle of the garden plot

“ Stop, collaborate, and listen! Be honest about your strengths versus who might be better at something—leverage the assets and resources available to you in the community! You don’t need to reinvent the wheel or do it all on your own!”

—Ethan Neal, food systems manager, Pillsbury

Critical Components

FOR GETTING STARTED

This section outlines the various critical components adopted by Baker Ripley and Pillsbury United Communities (Pillsbury). No one strategy emerges as the best; rather, a combination of these will likely lead other community-based organizations to success.

CAPACITY/STAFFING | Someone is needed to provide dedicated leadership and focus to the effort, managing aspects such as program development, marketing, engagement of volunteers and partners, budget, resources, tools/supplies, evaluation, etc. While many organizations leverage volunteers as short-term leaders, having a paid employee to manage the effort will increase sustainability and success.

KNOWLEDGE | Someone with deep knowledge of farming/gardening is needed and he or she should have the ability to provide technical leadership to the effort, whether this is the lead staff person noted above or an additional leader. This individual should have knowledge of what and when to plant and harvest, soil management, seed saving, planting quantities to match growing goals, crop rotations, companion planting, succession planting, water needs of crops, disease management of plants, integrated pest management to create the right conditions for insects to survive and to manage pests that may eat or destroy crops, and how to build soil and compost health.

VIABLE LAND and STRUCTURE | Make sure there is access to land with viable, fertile soil conditions, or creative ways to address soil challenges. The program needs to be structured to achieve the intended purpose, which will influence the physical layout and specific land needs. Selecting the right approach is critical for maximizing efficiency and yield. You can choose from above ground boxed A-Frame, T-Frame, vine supported growing environments, and direct in-ground farming, to name a few. Take into consideration the landscape’s “free resources” such as naturally flowing water, sunlight access and microclimates that create warmer or cooler conditions, to determine how they can be used.

WATERING STRATEGY | Organizations will want to assess watering strategies, given the access, needs, and associated costs. Strategies vary from watering cans, to hoses, to full drip irrigation systems. While smaller plots often are fine with a can and/or hose, organizations managing larger plots might want to consider a simple drip irrigation kit. These are known to help conserve water and avoid plant disease from overhead watering. Pillsbury recommends Drip Depot as a helpful resource.

SOIL TESTING TIP

Many universities have soil departments that are willing to run soil tests in the community. Reach out to see if they have experts that can test soil and provide solutions!

FOOD SAFETY/MANAGEMENT

PLAN | There are a wide variety of logistics, plans, and protocols to explore and determine. For example: 

What days will you harvest? 

What harvesting equipment will you need? 

Where will you store your harvesting equipment?  How will you sanitize your produce, tools, and packing areas? 

Where will you wash, dry, and pack your produce?  What will you pack your produce in? (ideally non-plastic materials) 

If selling, what days should your customers place their orders?  Do you have space and/or human resources for distribution (pickup, delivery, etc.)  Do you have storage – dry and refrigerated – for excess produce?

ACCESSIBILITY | Commit to creating a welcoming place that is as accessible as possible to the community. In order to be accessible, the space should offer residents a wide range of free or low-cost programs, services, events, and activities. Ideally community members should be able to engage through varying time commitments, different times of day, and diverse goals that are most meaningful to them. The farm should be designed to be open, inviting, and offer multiple points of entry for residents, creating a welcoming atmosphere and place-based learning environment that is reachable to all in the neighborhood.

Consider the safety, security, and accessibility of the land, given resident needs.

STAKEHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS | Do not underestimate the importance of building and sustaining authentic, human relationships. These connections help sustain commu nity interest and participation in urban agriculture. Consider developing a stakeholder engagement strategy that includes opportunities for each group to provide ideas and feedback, be recognized and thanked, and celebrate their efforts and contributions. Organizations should develop relationships with individuals in each stakeholder group to develop and/or gauge their interest and capacity to participate and lead urban agriculture efforts:

 COMMUNITY | Neighbors of all ages should provide feedback on the direction and design of the program and related activities and be key participants in the day-to-day operations and maintenance of the farm or garden.

 VOLUNTEERS | Managing and coordinating urban farms is challenging because it involves juggling garden bed adoption, food production coordination, and planting schedule strategy. Engaging community volunteers is a good way to add capacity, skill, and enthusiasm to urban agriculture efforts.

 COMMUNITY PARTNERS | There is a tremendous need to continuously build and cultivate relationships with local churches, schools, other community-based organizations, and businesses to provide opportunities around education in urban farms, and to lead volunteer projects that build capacity and improve farm infrastructure. It is also important to work with partners that bring relevant urban agriculture knowledge and particular expertise such as the ability to lead healthy cooking demonstrations, meal preparation demonstrations, health workshops, and programs.

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ACADEMIC/PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS | Connect with local universities’ research departments and the local departments of agriculture. They are often looking for community partners in urban environments to host community engagement activities and demonstrations, due to the fact much of their work is rural and inaccessible to the majority of the community. They often provide financial support, resources, signage, plants, and help with the growing season in return.

APPRECIATING NEIGHBORS’ GOALS and STRENGTHS

BakerRipley’s signature “Appreciative Community Building” approach means it proactively and continually engag es neighbors across all programs to understand their skills and strengths, their aspirations and goals, and how to be active, supportive partners in achieving the collective vision. Through a long tenure in each commu nity, BakerRipley has earned the trust and respect of neighbors; neighbors know that the organization is authen tic and genuine. This approach has enabled them to learn from neighbors and inspire them to want to make better lifestyle choices.

READY-TO-IMPLEMENT HEALTH CURRICULUM

To support community-based health and wellness efforts, the Alliance provides all members with free access to Healthy For Life®, an online portal from the American Heart Associa tion, developed in partnership with Aramark. This full suite of health and wellness resources, including a com plete curriculum, facilitator guides, vid eos, and more, is ready to share with community members. This curriculum helps community members learn how to use and prepare the produce being grown. The resources are easy to use and adapt to various communities.

FUNDING/NEW REVENUE STREAMS to COVER OPERATING EXPENSES |

Maintaining an urban farm can be costly, so having steady and diverse income sources is important.

Consider reaching out to the following for funding support:  Local board of soil and water  Departments of agriculture  Sustainable Agricultural Research and Education Program 

ATTRA, a program developed and managed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology

Local co-ops for small grants or round-up campaigns 

Private organizations with health and wellness missions such as local hospitals, businesses, grocery stores, etc.  Community partners that could provide discounted materials/resources 

Local universities, especially if they have an agricultural or research focus

BakerRipley hosts cooking demonstrations and classes on canning, meal prep, and more. Offering a variety of programs that complement the urban farm, promote healthy eating and better lifestyle choices, and sustain community interest. There is no single program or activity that will attract the interest of all target groups, so think broadly and creatively.

HANDS-ON LEARNING and

EDUCATIONAL

OPPORTUNITIES | Opportunities at the urban farm should be experiential, giving participants hands-on involvement in planting, tending, and harvesting of herbs, vegetables, and fruit. Through this active role, participants not only gain fundamental gardening skills, but also make connections to nutrition, mental health, and so much more. Consider helping community residents learn how to start, support or better maximize gardens at home.

AN EVALUATION PLAN | An evaluation strategy should incorporate a variety of inputs, outputs, and outcomes and balance both quantitative and qualitative approaches, so that behavior change among participants is tracked. A sound evaluation plan provides an outlet for feedback and creates a powerful data set to share with community stakeholders/funders on the positive impact of urban agriculture efforts. Refer to the evaluation section for more details.

TASTING the FRUITS of THEIR LABOR

HOW TO Maximize Your Garden

Once an organization has an urban agriculture strategy in place and logistics are underway, it can leverage a variety of creative approaches to increase the overall impact. Here are a few suggestions based on the unique ways BakerRipley and Pillsbury United Communities are using their farms and gardens to drive healthier communities.

DEVELOP a FARM CLUB

Community members often like to connect with each other while developing new skills. Farm club membership options could include:



Individual memberships for residents from the community to annually adopt a plot for personal use and receive regular technical assistance and coaching on how to successfully grow and maintain their garden

Consider bringing together farm club members for periodical educational and social opportunities. This is a great chance for staff to assess needs, issues, strengths and new ideas for the farm.

CREATE HIGH-IMPACT or SKILLS-BASED VOLUNTEER and/or INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Consider integrating interns, fellows, and long-term volunteers into the talent strategy through programs such as Teach for America, AmeriCorps, SeniorCorps, older adult lifelong learning programs, and internship programs. People of all ages can contribute to build capacity, scale farm operations, engage stakeholders, raise funds, and plan and host events.

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Group memberships for groups/community partners to maintain shared bed(s).

DEVELOP an INTERGENERATIONAL ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY

Thoughtfully engaging community members of all ages will help create a welcoming, community-oriented environment.

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Engage youth groups, local schools and community center programs by offering field trips and “outdoor classroom” opportunities.

 Engage adults by targeting community centers, senior centers, lifelong learning programs, and libraries to offer hands on educational and social opportunities at the garden or farm.

 Create ways for younger and older generations to work, engage, learn, and have fun together.

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Consider incentivizing participation with free produce boxes. This is a great way to develop relationships and reward people for staying involved.

DEVELOP a REVENUE GENERATION STRATEGY

Pillsbury has developed a variety of revenue-generating strategies that provide continuous funding and increase community engagement. A few revenue generating ideas include:

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HOST DINNERS and EVENTS THAT USE PRODUCE GROWN BY THE URBAN FARM | Invite community members to an all-you-can-eat pizza party or healthy cookout at one of the farms. Most of the produce can come from the farm and all the proceeds can support the urban agriculture efforts.

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SELL PRODUCE DIRECTLY to the COMMUNITY, PRIVATE BUSINESSES, and OTHERS (“COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE”) | Community-supported agriculture (CSA model) is a system that connects the

producer and consumers within the food system more closely by allowing the consumer to subscribe to the harvest of a certain farm or group of farms. During the winter months when crop planning is done, it’s a great time to have community members sign up to buy a weekly or bi-weekly amount of vegetables from the organization. This helps with planning purposes; it enables the organization to grow the right amount of specific produce, based on community members’ preferences. 

SHARED FOOD EXCHANGE CREATION | Work with other local growers to specialize in specific produce to ensure markets aren’t flooded with certain kinds of produce. When working together in this way, weekly shares to community members will be more diverse. This ultimately leads to an increase in customers and profit among the collective of growers. 

HOST or PARTICIPATE in LOCAL FARMERS’ MARKETS | This is a great way to share more about the organization, mission, farming practices, and produce. 

PRODUCE STANDALONE PRODUCTS FROM SPECIFIC PRODUCE | For example, consider how to turn tomatoes into canned tomato sauce; vegetables into salsa; or lavender into soaps, essential oils, lotions, or cosmetics. Make sure to research local legislation around small business licensing.  ROADSIDE STANDS | These could operate under the honor system in rural areas or a weekly schedule in high-traffic areas or outside the garden; it just must be consistent for customers. 

POP-UP STANDS | Take advantage of opportunities to sell produce at open streets, block parties, national night out, etc.

DEVELOP A FULL CYCLE, FOOD SYSTEM STRATEGY | Community impact will be greater and efficiencies will in crease when all aspects of the food cycle are strategically linked. Organizations are encouraged to think creatively and broadly about how to link specific aspects of their urban agriculture strategy.

 NETWORK WITH THE COMMUNITY | Encourage growers to join as many local groups, learning, and/ or professional networks as possible, especially in the quieter winter months. This can be a great way to build professional/technical knowledge while pro moting efforts and potentially engaging new partners or resources to support the work.

Example of a Strategic Food Cycle

COMPOST EXTRA FOOD SHELF ITEMS TO CREATE SOIL

Evaluation Practices

FROM the PARTNERS

The need for a data collection, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement cannot be stated strongly enough. It’s important to have information that shows how well programs are driving intended

outcomes, how satisfied stakeholders (community members, volunteers, etc.) are with their experiences, and a record of year-to-year practices to evaluate and build upon for program success.

Here are a few ideas from each partner regarding their data collection processes:

BakerRipley

 Executes surveys that measure satisfaction and program outcomes such as knowledge gained, skills acquired, and self-reported changes to behaviors  Is mindful to not “over-survey” neighbors and to focus the evaluation on program areas where they anticipate the greatest direct influence on program goals  Conducts a post-program survey at the end of Farm Club program operation periods, usually twice per year 

Does not evaluate informational sessions open to the public because these diverse groups typically represent various reasons for attending (from curiosity to enthusiast)

Pillsbury United Communities

 Sets goals for the farm or garden before the season starts, identifying milestones to celebrate with the community and farm workers 

Puts a huge emphasis on record keeping whether it’s through apps, spreadsheets, and notebooks; experts recommend recording the weather, harvest amounts, how crops are faring, thoughts to remember for next year, what pests/beneficials are found at the farm, and who volunteers at or visits the farm  Reviews all records again during the winter to identify trends and potential improvements

“

I record every variety we plant, the amount, and how they grow throughout the season. This helps me to understand how I want to do it next year. For example, I’ve noted: ‘Next year I will only plant five zucchinis instead of 15 because this year there were way more than I could ever sell!’ I also like to record how I feel during the season. It helps me prepare better, informs my self-care strategies in the future, and helps keep expectations in check.”

—Michele Manske, farm coordinator, Pillsbury United Communities

Data Points to Consider Capturing

OUTPUTS OUTCOMES

Measuring outputs is important for scaling the effort, making adjustments for the future, and ensuring resources to support ongoing efficacy. Measures can include:

Community workshops, events, courses and the number of participants attending each

Number of community member/farm club participants

Number of people fed

Number of community partners participating

Pounds of food grown

Pounds of food donated

The number and frequencies of various ecosystem services provided (For example: higher ground water infiltration, more pollinator habitat, no chemical use, recycling of food waste)

Revenue generated by entrepreneurial efforts

Number of engagement activities hosted

In addition to measuring outputs, success can be articulated by the impact the community. Measures can include:

Access to healthy food

Food production

Confidence in managing/improving health

Nutrition knowledge

Urban agriculture skills (or cooking/growing/harvesting skills)

engagement

Community connections and relationships

Application of knowledge and skills gained

Don’t overburden yourself, and your stakeholders, by tracking and surveying a vast variety of metrics. It’s best to be purposeful and regimented in tracking data over time and using the insights to inform future decisions. Be judicious and focus on the metrics you are most likely to act upon.

Final Recommendations

There are many reasons to pursue urban agriculture strategies and various approaches to execution; however, BakerRipley and Pillsbury United Communities urge the following, regardless of the organization’s intent or approach:

Develop a thoughtful, intentional long-term strategy before getting started

Do not re-create the wheel or work in isolation; collaborate closely with others in the community

Co-create the vision and strategy with your community members early in the process

Be creative and holistic about the ways you leverage your urban agriculture strategy

Laying out a strategic plan that has been thoughtfully developed by community members and partners will ensure ongoing success and serve as the foundation for greater community health and wellness.

Additional Resources

The following are resources cultivated by the Alliance library to support urban agriculture development and maintenance beyond what is provided in this toolkit.

Developing Urban Community Garden Projects

University of Florida. IFAS Extension: Moore, Austen; Harder, Amy; Samuel, Norma | This publication provides a guide to individuals or groups interested in starting urban community gardens and includes information about how to identify garden sites, build partnerships, engage community members, and develop a project overview. (Author abstract)

Dig In! Growing a Community: A Guide for Starting a Community Garden

The Ohio State University Extension | Includes example committee job descriptions; sample waiver form; sample lease agreement/permission for land use; sample garden rules; sample flyer; sample plot assignment map; sample garden design; soil macronutrients guide; lead safety tips; vegetable planting guide for Cleveland, Ohio, planting for fall harvest; and more.

The Edible Schoolyard Project

The Edible Schoolyard Project | This is the home website of the Edible Schoolyard Project, which works to address health in communities by changing the way that children interact with food in school settings. See menu options on left side of screen under “Program Development” for resources such as Garden Visioning Exercise; Edible Schoolyard Garden Infrastructures and Systems; Safety from Seed to Service; etc.

From Neglected Parcels to Community Gardens: A Handbook Wasatch Community Gardens: Emerson, Brian; Barbara L. Tanner Fellowship; University of Utah Lowell Bennion Center | The purpose of this handbook is to guide community groups through the process of starting a community garden.

Gardens for Learning: Creating and Sustaining Your School Garden California School Garden Network and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); California Department of Food and Agriculture Division of Fairs and Expositions | This resource includes chapters on Planning Your School Garden; Linking Gardens to School Curriculum; Promoting Healthy Living; Designing Your School Garden; Finding Supplies and Funding Your Garden; Planting Your School Garden; Maintaining Your School Garden; Sustaining Your Garden; and Working with Volunteers.

Grow to Learn

UF/IFAS Extension; Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness: Treadwell, Danielle; Brown, Sydney Park; Brew, Kelli; Prizzia, Anna | A guide to help you start, maintain, and sustain a school garden.

How to Start a School Garden: Your Complete Guide

Eartheasy | From striking your garden committee to hosting a schoolwide ‘dig day,’ learn how to start a school garden for education, eating, and fun. Includes where to start; locating your garden; sample designs; funding sources; determining goals; planning and design; materials needed; and case studies.

Resources for Starting a School Garden

Michigan State University | Starting a school garden can be a daunting task. Get some help with these resources.

School Garden Start-Up Guide: Easy Steps to Building A Sustainable School Garden Program

Freeman, Bonnie; Rees, Jennifer | Common Ground Garden Program University of California Cooperative Extension, Los Angeles County

Slow Food USA’s School Garden Guide

Slow Food inspires individuals and communities to change the world through food that is good, clean and fair for all. In the US, there are more than 150 local chapters and 6,000 members.

Urban Agriculture: Policy, Law, Strategy, and Implementation

Chumbler, Martha H.; Negro, Sorell E.; Bechler, Lawrence E. | A practical resource on all aspects of agricultural activities within non-rural settings, ranging from neighborhood gardens to commercial farming operations, this book addresses many of the land use, environmental, and regulatory legal issues that confront local governments, property owners, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and neighborhood groups when addressing urban gardening or farming. Authors also describe and analyze the experiences of specific urban areas, providing perspectives on their different approaches. (Author abstract)

Urban Agriculture Tool Kit

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) | The toolkit lays out the common operational elements that most urban farmers must consider as they start up or grow their operations. It also contains a special section on resources for developing indoor growing operations, such as aquaponic facilities. For each element, the toolkit identifies technical and financial resources that have been developed by federal, state, and local partners. While some of the elements require local-level solutions (e.g. zoning), federal programs and services can support a variety of activities related to urban farming.

Urban Farm Business Plan Handbook

United States Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Brownfields and Land Revitalization. Partnership for Sustainable Communities; Vita Nuova; SRA International | Provides guidance for developing a business plan for the startup and operation of an urban farm. It focuses on food and non-food related cultivated agriculture. The information provided is applicable regardless of whether the farm is to be operated as a nonprofit or for-profit business. More specifically, it describes what information should be collected, evaluated, and presented in each section of the business plan. The Handbook is designed to be used side-by-side with the accompanying Urban Farm Business Plan Worksheets. (Author abstract)

The Urban Farming Guidebook: Planning for the Business of Growing Food in BC’s Towns & Cities

HB Lanarc - Golder; EcoDesign Resource Society (EDRS) | This guidebook presents examples and best practices drawn from a range of communities because urban farming looks very different in larger metropolitan areas, such as Vancouver, than it does in smaller, more resource-focused communities such as Campbell River. Despite the major differences between communities, there are overall principles and approaches that are relevant for any community. These are presented in terms of policies, incentives, and examples for towns and cities to proactively plan for small-scale commercial agricultural activities.

UrbanAgLaw.org

Sustainable Economies Law Center | This site provides legal information, best practices, and supporting tools to support urban agriculture in the U.S. It includes a section on nonprofits and urban agriculture.