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. 16