Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
scholarships. Or if you have a food pantry program, a sponsor might add to your produce donation with
a matching food donation. Get creative with sponsors so the relationship is mutually beneficial. You get
the resources you need to make your garden happen, and your sponsor gets the goodwill of helping out
your cause in a creative, newsworthy way—a win-win.
PROTECTING YOUR ORGANIZATION
Gardening is not the most dangerous of activities, it's true. But things can happen in your garden that
might injure people or their property. Hopefully, nothing is so serious that a “sorry that happened” and
a hug won't remedy the situation, but you never know. We live in a litigious world, so some coverage
to protect your organization is a prudent thing. Don't panic, though. This all may sound like heavy-duty
stuff to deal with. Don't let it freak you out—just do it.
To protect your garden from liability, you will want to speak with an attorney—hopefully someone
on your board or a pro bono resource—to review your liability policies and any materials you create
for participating gardeners to sign. An attorney can also help you draft these policies if you are starting
from scratch. By having your liability bases covered, you not only protect your organization but you
educate your gardeners and their associates on the rules of the garden as well as your seriousness about
the health and longevity of the program. People will appreciate this foresight. It is better to be up front
and proactive about potential issues than to have to backpedal if something serious happens.
Liability Insurance
Put liability insurance into your program budget. Like most insurances, you don't need it until you need
it—but then, you
really
need it. Oftentimes, new or small organizations have a difficult time getting
or affording liability insurance for their garden space. Insurance you don't have to pay for is often one
of the benefits of participating in a large, citywide community garden program, as they usually have a
blanket policy that covers each participating garden. If you have to contribute at all, the premiums are
smaller per garden due to the number of participants. You can also check with your local carrier (start
with someone you personally have a policy with) to find liability insurance. If you're a solo garden,
joining the American Community Gardening Association (ACGA) will be beneficial. It provides af-
fordable access to liability insurance for member organizations. Recommended garden coverage is $1
million per incident.
GRANTS AND GRANT-WRITING TIPS
Many small grants are available to community gardens, and often, they have simple online forms. Here
are some steps to help with your grant-writing success.
Do research.
Use simple Google search terms such as “grants community gardens Philadelphia.” Once
you find funding in your area, read the guidelines carefully. Don't waste time applying for a grant if it
isn't appropriate. If the funder supports school gardens, you may reason that because you are a commu-
nity garden and it is kind of the same thing because you have some kids in your garden, don't apply.
It's unlikely that they will fund you. You have to clearly fit the grant guidelines.
