very well stated, agreed. so id put the figure at "priceless", especially as the price of food becomes outrageous, and people will have to start deciding between golf courses, ball fields and eating food that doesnt cost $20 a pound. On Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 5:57 PM, Don Boekelheide <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Hi, all, > > In today's Charlotte Observer, there was a nice featur-y story about > community gardens in our parks, with lots about my 'home' cg, at Reedy Creek > Park. The reporter, however, quoted our local horticulture extension agent > saying a garden costs $6,000-$10,000 to start, mostly for fencing. > > !!! > > So, what should I do now? > > First question, I need some data from you all. Do we have a "typical" 'start > up cost' for a community garden in a park? Anywhere? > > For a garden with piped in water (I consider that pretty basic, for growing > food - I know there are a range of opinions on this, but I'm pretty convinced > most productive vegetable gardens need reliable water)? > > For piped water and a fence? For piped water, a fence and the 'basics' - a > small shed and kiosk or sign board for messages? > > I also know this sounds silly to ask, since gardens come in such different > sizes, and can be created in such different places. But, still, a ballpark, > for say a 10,000 ft2 garden? > > Then comes the support budget - anybody have an idea what an annual budget > for maintenance and support is, typically? > > Finally, what about inputs/income the garden generates (besides the food)? > Sweat equity work from volunteers, donations from other agencies and > organizations, and grant potentials? > > Finally, finally, what about alternative costs. Let's say a garden _does_ > cost $10,000 (that seems way high to me) - how does that compare, say, to > putting in lights for a Little League field and running them for a year? Or > building a tennis court? > > And, once you have shared your data and thoughs about all that (hopefully > based on "real" experience, not making it up): > > Should I respond to the comment in the paper? How? I want to be able to work > effectively with the agent, who is a nice man (though he seems to have zero > interest in community gardens, much less any desire to lead)? How do I gently > question the reporter, (and her lazy editor who did no fact checking) who > again I want to stay on good terms with? > > I could just let it slide. But, these kinds of numbers have been used at > least twice during the last year to stop community garden projects. An > interested person from the community approaches Park and Recreation, asks > about a community garden in a nearby park or greenway. They hold a meeting, > Park and Rec announces "fine - just raise $10,000 and we'll put one in...". > End of story. > > At the same time, a couple of gardens have been built within Park and Rec, > with even higher budgets ($30,000?), but one is now abandoned and the other > struggling. Instead of being well planned and fairly implemented, the process > has become "political", and in many ways community gardening is Charlotte is > stuck. In working to "unstick" it, I'm not sure of what I ought to do next. > Advice, please... > > Don Boekelheide > Charlotte, NC > www.urbanministrycenter.org > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's > services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out > how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org > > To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected] > > To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: > http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org >
-- feed two birds with one seed _______________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: http://list.communitygarden.org/mailman/listinfo/community_garden_list.communitygarden.org
