Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
that potential community partners show up at your volunteer event wanting to discuss your program and how
they might participate.
Secure a space large enough for the group you anticipate. If your event is in the evening, consider a fun
venue like a restaurant or a bar where participants can make an evening of it by having dinner or a drink be-
fore, during, or after the event.
Advertise within your community or to a larger audience. Don't forget to include your partners! State the
date, time, and location.
Recruit helpers who are familiar with the program and comfortable talking to new people.
During
Have a sign-in and information desk. This is a really good place for materials about your organization and
educational handouts (and if you don't know all the attendees, a great place to collect e-mail addresses as
well).
Greet people with a warm welcome and thank them for attending,
Make sure that helpers and experts are easily identified with name tags or an easy-to-spot T-shirt.
Set up the space so it is easy for potential volunteers to plug in to your organization. If you know you need
help in a few categories, make signs with those topics clearly readable, and post them around the room.
Have helpers staff those stations, so they can talk with volunteers about how they can contribute to the
garden.
Make clipboards, notepads, and pens available for people to sign up, write questions, or offer suggestions.
Collect this material at the end of the event.
Remember, not all volunteer functions need to be garden-task related. Keep in mind that help with coordin-
ating, managing your budget, and doing social media are valuable contributions to your garden's success. All
you have to do is ask.
If your event is also to recognize volunteer contributions, provide tangible symbols of appreciation: certi-
ficates, inexpensive individualized gifts, or garden-oriented mementos.
Take photos.
After
Send a thank-you and share photos.
Solicit feedback (and volunteers) for next year.
SPRING: THE SEED SWAP
Since you're working on a food garden, vegetable seeds are a given, but what about the seeds of edible
flowers or flowers that attract beneficial insects? Will you allow bulbs, onions, shallots, garlic, or Jerusalem
artichokes? Do you have a policy about open-pollinated vs. hybrid seeds? Should the gardeners only bring
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