Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
4.
Does the garden mission or location influence the build? (Does proximity to a sponsor or partner dictate
where the garden is? Does the type of garden, a garden where food is grown for donation for example, in-
fluence the type of garden to be constructed? Do added mission objectives such as meeting space or a
teaching area influence construction?)
5.
Who is the food being grown for? (Is the food to be donated to a nutrition program or used by an organiz-
ation to feed people? Is the garden set up for families to grow the food for their own use?)
6.
Who are the gardeners? (Is the garden open to everyone or focused on a specific group? For example, are
the gardeners of all ages or a specific age group such as teens or the elderly?)
7.
Does the neighborhood itself have any impact on the mission? (Will the garden deter crime? Bring neigh-
bors together? Help with a food desert? Create green space?)
8.
Is there an educational mandate for the garden? (Do the gardeners know how to grow food? Will this skill
help them in other ways?)
9.
Is the garden genesis driven by some other need, example, or force? (For example, a historical reference
to the successful victory garden movement of World War II? A respected community member who dedic-
ated their efforts to teaching or helping others? A community need or group?)
SIX SUCCESSFUL COMMUNITY GARDENS: CASE
STUDIES
Now that you've familiarized yourself with the questions, this section illustrates how a mission-driven
approach helps to establish organizational best practices and direct decision making as organizations
evolve over time. Your garden will be its own special place and will have its own story to tell. But by
reading what others are doing, you may find inspiration or ideas for your own mission-driven garden.
PETERSON GARDEN PROJECT, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
MISSION STATEMENT
The Peterson Garden Project is a volunteer organization committed to teaching people to grow their
own food. They are based in Chicago, Illinois, where they build community vegetable gardens and
stronger communities.
Are any existing organizations sponsoring or starting the garden? Do their missions need to be part of
how the garden is developed?
While partnerships developed over time, initially there were no organizations sponsoring the garden so there
was no need to incorporate others' objectives when the original garden was developed. This has changed
over time as the program has expanded and new gardens have opened.
Are funders sponsoring the garden? Do the funds dictate the garden mission in any way?
