Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
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 swappers, it's also a good place to collect e-mail ad-
dresses).
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.
Identify the tables (Edible Flowers! Herbs! Veggies!).
Assign someone to take pictures—your community members like to see themselves participating, and
people like to be recognized.
After
Send a thank-you and share photos.
Solicit feedback (and volunteers) for next year.
Organize leftover seeds to distribute later to low-income or scholarship gardeners, or to others who may
have missed the swap.
SUMMER: THE MUSIC AND GARDEN EXPERTS
NIGHT
Not every area may have Master Gardeners, but I can assure you that virtually every community has garden
experts. Our programs are once a month starting in July, but you can offer your programs as frequently as
you can find the musicians and experts to participate. As always, when you have a group of gardeners getting
together, think of it as an opportunity to speak to your members about garden management or events. You
can, for example, give reminders about procedures and community rules, or make announcements for up-
coming events or volunteer opportunities. On these nights, if this is the height of the season, and there's lots
of ready produce, gardeners can harvest produce for donations that might go to food and nutrition programs.
Before
Publicize the details of the event.
Work with a local music school or arts group to find a performer or group whose music is in line with what
your gardeners will enjoy.
Determine if the performers have or need amplification or a PA system. If they can't provide this them-
selves, ask your community if there is anything they can loan for the evening's event. (Small events can often
be done without amplification, to avoid having to deal with sound and electricity issues.)
Identify experts to be on hand to answer garden questions, a great way to get local extension Master
Gardeners involved, if your area has such a program. Master Gardeners need hours working with the public
to maintain their status (number of hours varies from state to state) and this could be a great opportunity for
them.
