Free Essay

Community Gardens

In: Business and Management

Submitted By danielolivas78
Words 1802
Pages 8
COMMUNITY GARDENS:
GOOD REGIONAL INVESTMENT
Daniel P. Olivas
Webster University

Abstract The concept of gathering people together in an outdoor space in order to collectively work towards the common goal of planting and harvesting produce can be traced in the US to the late 19th century. Community gardens still exist in the US today with the same goal as before, but the objectives that are witnessed in contemporary community gardens have grown to include goals such as training youth in agriculture and nutrition to serving as an important part of people’s health and wellness lifestyles. Several reasons will be listed in this paper that explain the growing and renewed popularity of community gardens which further include economic and medical benefits, as well as individual contribution to the community. This movement in community garden growth is reflected as most movements are in the US’ current political environment. Our current presidential administration sees the First Lady, Michelle Obama, actively promoting health consciousness in particular among youth while making a strong case on the benefits to be reaped from community gardens. On a different note, our recent national economic environment makes a reasonable argument for supporting cost-saving, and even income-generating, ideas such as community gardening.

Introduction El Paso County’s most recent addition to its collective gardening community was a unveiled less than a year ago. The Fit-To Grow community garden at Ascarate Park joined the growing number of gardens not only in the southwest region, but indeed worldwide. The motivations for such diverse communities to organize gardens are growing though they are generally the same motivations that propel a community in the western hemisphere, as they do in the east. This case study explores the purposes for gardens using the model in this local region and attempts to exploit the potential benefits if this trend where to be further extended.
Background
In the US, the Detroit area first offered locals the opportunity to garden collectively as a means to providing land and technical training to unemployed Americans. The benefits were also then recognized for young people in the way of teaching lessons on civics lessons and responsibility, an early version of community service that is often mandated for youth as part of educational programs today. The concept grows nationwide as the Federal government becomes involved by promoting community garden programs to grow domestic food supplies during the hardships of World War I. The United States School Garden Army (USSGA) was created as an educational program that taught the gardening concept in the common public school curriculum. Further economic turmoil during the Great Depression saw million of households participating in community gardens as a means to obtain some financial relief. World War II served to rebirth the federal government’s role in this concept. Victory Gardens became a campaign once again encouraging individuals to partake in being a part their own sustainment. Towards the end of the 20th century, the idea of urban development was championed and gardens were seen as a means to beautiful neighbors, in particular decrepit inner-city areas in addition to serving as a food source. Currently in the nation, all these previous motivations for supporting community gardens exist and also include others. The community gardens of today are a logical response to growing concerns over genetically-engineered foods, the use of pesticides and hormones, the impact of food delivery’s carbon footprint, and increasing costs in produce. Further the garden concept appeals to groups and individuals who seek to not only take more control over their nutritional and environmental decisions, but who are also motivated to generate additional income and in some cases, use profits from produce sales as the sole means of revenue.
The Case for Community Gardening: SWOT Analysis As aforementioned, the reasons are varied for establishing this type of community project. The reasons themselves are also the strengths in the garden concept. Community gardens began in the US and elsewhere, as a means to a close and low-cost resource for produce. That initial reason is still a strong motivation for citizens today to become interested in gardening. The economic realities of the first part of this century have lead to a renewed interest for individuals to become involved. Most gardens often establish a minimal membership or annual fee for participants. Beyond that the basic materials; soil, water, seed, equipment, know-how, and the land itself are often donated by local businesses, the city, educational organizations, and by experts in related fields (nutrition, food science, management, etc.). The process of beginning a garden requires the largest financial challenge and is again often largely financed by grant money and donations. Volunteer labor is responsible for preparing the gardening site yielding little remaining costs to the individual. The minimum fee for rental of an individual plot, put into context, could easily represent an individual’s grocery bill in a single week. Thus the food bill paid in one week would be sufficient to provide either an individual or even a family with fresh produce for that year’s plot rental fee.
A growing health consciousness in the US also promotes the community gardening concept as many Americans are not only more proactive about their personal health, but also more literate in terms of their food sources environmental impact. An interest in nutrition easily leads to better eating habits such as an increase in the consumption of fruits and vegetables. However, instead of simply buying produce at a supermarket, individuals are turning to their own gardens as they will generally cultivate green gardening practices. These render produce that is organic and free of pesticide and growth-hormone use. Medical research continues to make negative conclusions on the consumption of crops using the techniques of large farms that supply almost all of our fruit and vegetable options. The community garden allows the participants control over what to grow and how to grow it. The actual gardening process also gives people an opportunity to engage in the outdoors and to build physical and mental fitness. The proximity to a community garden also means that these food sources are not being shipped over great distances which cause environmental pollution and less nutritious supply.
While these benefits, which represent the strengths of the gardening concept itself, may be achieved in any individual garden plot, the community garden concept also allows for the creation of community building. This collective project has been researched to strengthen the dynamics of the area by decreasing crime rates, fostering civic pride and even helping communities to heal after distinct regional tragedies, man-made or otherwise.
Weaknesses
Community gardens generally face their largest challenges at inception. The concept begins with a group of interested individuals committing to creating a garden. The planning and organizing phase entails gathering resources, with the designated public space being the most critical element. This can be accomplished a variety of ways, but finding a public space that is available and appropriate can make establishing a garden a longer endeavor than otherwise necessary. The associated costs with preparing the area are foremost and these may or may not include lease fees. As a non-profit organization, community gardens seek donors to contribute their own resources, whether monetary or skill-based to initiate preparation. Finding and compelling donors can be a slow and uncertain process.
Once these ends have been acquired, however, the gardens require the commitment of participants, all of whom are volunteering their time and energy. The payment of a rental/plot fee and application process serves to foster members’ responsibility over their own space. Nonetheless, volunteers’ interest may wane or they may simply not have sufficient time to dedicate. This can cause a garden to appear to be an abandoned and unsightly space which may upset neighbors, business owners or other surrounding community members.
Opportunities
On the flip-side to the latter weakness of decreasing an area’s value due to an underserved community garden, research has shown that the opposite is also true. Successful garden projects may add to the monetary value of properties in the area. This in addition to the financial gains members may make if they opt to sell a portion of their yields. The most common system witnessed in the local area is in the form of farmers markets. These are held at least once a week and allow participants to generate revenue and in some cases sales are responsible for the majority of a household’s income. In times of economic hardship, this idea should be better campaigned and expanded to create additional markets around the region. Currently, El Paso County counts with a single regular farmers market that is not centrally located or accessible to the majority of the area. Other types of outdoor markets are fairly prevalent around El Paso, and the farmers’ market idea could be assessed as an extension to these already established locations, in particular in Far East El Paso where growth is set to continue.
Conclusion
Community gardens are widely promoted not only in the El Paso County but in cities across the United States and in some cultures of the world are primary means of survival. The contribution of organic healthy foods is not only important to unbalance system in our society, but to our overall physical wellbeing as a human race. Community gardens foster feeding the needy, beautifying the neighborhood, saving energy and cleaning urban air for our planet. Many cities are looking for new ways to finance available land for gardening. The benefits would include promoting healthy organic foods and would also have a positive impact on neighborhood property values. Recent studies show that gardens have significant positive effects in poor and wealthy neighborhoods. Community gardens also provide local governments a new tool for communicating to the public. It gives the local governments a new means where public officials can engage citizens and to combat rising diverse issues dealing with diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, and other new illnesses.

REFERENCES
Twiss, J., Dickinson, J., Duma, S., Kleinman, T., Paulsen, H., & Rilveria, L. (2003). Community Gardens: Lessons Learned From California Healthy Cities and Communities. American Journal Of Public Health, 93(9), 1435-1438.
Wakefield, S., Yeudall, F., Taron, C., Reynolds, J., & Skinner, A. (2007). Growing urban health: community gardening in South-East Toronto. Health Promotion International, 22(2), 92-101.
Glover, T. D., Shinew, K. J., & Parry, D. C. (2005). Association, sociability, and civic culture: The democratic effect of community gardening. Leisure Sciences, 27(1), 75-92.

Buchanan, D., & Witlen, R. (2006). Balancing service and education: ethical management of student-run clinics. Journal of health care for the poor and underserved, 17(3), 477-485.
Henderson, B., & Hartsfield, K. (2009). Is getting into the community garden business a good way to engage citizens in local government? National Civic Review, 98(4), 12-17.

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Community Garden Essay

...afterschool / outdoor gardening program within Growth Garden. Hollman Identify four themes; capacity, agency, history/ racial & ethnic pride, and empowerment in her research. In result of her research she understood the roles of how community garden in social vulnerable neighborhood are a growing concern and hope to further engage more individuals in natures. Growth programs are portrayed around social vulnerable community particularly in residential area of Southeast, USA. African American and families from Latin America make up the majority that are derived from the Southeast region. Growth program are for not only engaging and utilizing individual in nature but to also promote progress of breaking social barrier and gender roles and norms. There is a connection between when I participated in girl scout in elementary school and growth garden program. Discovering nature and transforming the communities play a big part and was integrated in my local girl scout. I remember going on a field trip on earth day to plant a garden in a rural area of Richmond...

Words: 470 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Community Therapy Garden

...Community Therapy Garden Proposal for Harbor House Donna Lubas Professional Communications Spring 2013 June 2nd, 2013 Table of Contents Executive Summary 3 Purpose 5 Problem 5 Solutions 6 Social Benefits 6 Economic Benefits 6 Educational Benefits 7 Harbor House Mission Statement 8 Conclusion 9 References 10 Executive Summary Purpose This proposal is to encourage the implementation of a community garden on an unused portion of the property currently used by Harbor House in Appleton, WI. Problem A large portion of the lot currently maintains the potential for an increase in aesthetic qualities and usefulness. Solutions The establishment of an onsite therapy garden for residents and staff could aid in the resolution of several factors. Such a project would encourage community involvement with Harbor House via direct involvement in care of the garden, donation of supplies, and social networking. The quality of the property would be improved with a variety of foliage and color which would thus benefit the overall appeal of the neighborhood as well as present fundraising alternatives for Harbor House. Conclusion Research has shown a wide variety of mental, physical, and socioeconomic benefits brought about by the creation of “green space” within a community. These include but are not limited to opportunities to teach the nutritional benefits of a healthy...

Words: 1357 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Community Garden Research Paper

...This research paper requires students to find five resources that support the question that they want to focus on based on Sustainability or Community Garden. I have done a lot of secondary work. So far I have found five credible resources that talk about sustainability in cities. General speaking I will talk about how the planet Earth is deteriorating drastically. Global Warming plays a huge part on not keeping the planet “Green” Greenhouse gasses; emissions of carbon dioxide often released with gas emission vehicles/engines don’t escape into space causing it to increase temperatures’. I will narrow down the research question to cities in specific, such as big metropolitan cities in the United States. I want to do a primary work on how cities in the U.S. could set knowledge of guiding principles, and good ethics on being ecofriendly. If we look back one to two hundred years back in history, the world was less populated and obviously there were no cars running up and down like there like today in the modern world. Huge cities like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Houston have a greater power to change the environment....

Words: 454 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Sacc

...Aim: My aim is to ask the children in an afterschool facility to make a flower/herb garden. These children are currently attending Bizzy B’s Afterschool in Dublin 9. Introduction: A school age childcare facility should offer a range of activities to cater for all ages of children in their care. The advantages for parents is the knowledge that their child is being cared for in a safe and happy environment. That it is locally based in the community and provides for parent to return to work. The advantages for children is in providing a safe and enjoyable experience in which to play, socialise, have a say in activity planning and interact with children their own age. Children can do their homework if parents request but this should not be the main focus. (Plan, 2015) Plan: My planned proposal of the activity is a play based learning and development activity. My aim in this assignment is to choose a group of children aged between 6-10 years. I will consult with the practitioner, parents and children to gather as much information as possible and enquire about allergies and illnesses such as asthma and obtain permission. I intend to recycle a freight palate and sand it completely to remove any risk of splinters. Remove some of the boards to leave four large slot openings, place some roof felting on the back to act as a base cover and weed block. I will ask the group to lay out flower beds in the empty slots using either herbs or early spring bulbs. Each member of the...

Words: 1272 - Pages: 6

Free Essay

Paper

...creating a vegetable/fruit garden. I picked the back corner of the yard which receives full sun but is not directly in your line of sight when you look outside from the house. My original plan involved putting a short fence around it to keep pups out but after examining the soil we had to change our plans. The soil in that spot is incredibly sandy, which is odd since in this area we have a lot of clay. So we think an old playset used to be back there and they dumped sand for the kids. So our options became either digging up all the sand and getting rid of it somehow or building raised beds. We chose option B. Obviously it was not a very difficult decision. But we were gardening and raised bed virgins so some research was in order. We learned we had a lot of options in terms of materials- Stone/brick-too expensive and too permanent in case our adventures in vegetable gardening do not go as well as we hope Landscape Timbers- cheap but very we unsure what wood they we actually made of and how they would hold up Cedar-pretty, resists rot, can do it ourselves but still expensive if making multiple beds Pressure-Treated-cheap, easy to use but conflicting info about it's use for food gardens. From what I have gathered from my online research, pressure treated wood used to be treated with arsenic which is not to be used in food gardens. However, they are no longer treated with that particular chemical and it is now safe to use in food gardens. I found the brand that...

Words: 877 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Ffffffffff Dffffffffd Ddd

...store that would offer gardeners a one-stop shopping place for products, plants, gifts, and services.Garden.com is a virtual store, selling a wide variety of gardening and gardening-related products. It also offered a range of services, including an online magazine, an online landscape planning and design tool, a plant finder tool, a monthly newsletter, a garden reminder service, a weekly sales and promotion e-mail, and celebrity-hosted chat sessions. In addition, a “Garden Doctor” service was made available for answering gardening questions. The company was launched on March 1996 and it was doing well after initial launch and December 26, the company ceased its customer service operations. November 15, 2000, a phased shutdown of the company’s retail operations and the sale of its consumer business assets began - Project Scope Project Name: Garden.com Project scope is to build a new website which caters the needs of the Gardening Industry. It is $50-70 million business in America. -Highly fragmented and no clear winner,, no new company accounts for more than 1% of the market. -Plants are not commodity market -Gardens tend to be affluent and willing to pay widely to variety of prices for the same item. -Perception of quality and amount of except advice to biggest factors in purchasing decision. Objectives: Be the virtual superstore and resource center of the gardening supply business. One-stop shop for quality gardening resources Product scope description Web will be...

Words: 570 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

A Cry for Help

...It was a warm, breezy summer day in 2005, with the vibrant green leaves swaying in unison with the slight wind that sent the sweet aroma of the freshly cut grass around the yard. Fuzzy, my small mutt at the time, rolled around on the blanket that sat on the ground, wrinkling it up as he went. Little did we know we were about to be called upon by the Lord above to do a little bit of something new today. It was time for our weekly picnic that we always had with each other and my dolls. Just as we were finishing up our creamy peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches we heard a loud shrill, “HELP! GET IT AWAY FROM ME!” I looked immediately over to Fuzzy and we sprinted across the tree-lined trail to my grandmother’s home. We came upon her standing on a green plastic lawn chair with a large wooden shovel in her hand. “Grandma, what is wrong?” I shouted from afar. “It’s a snake! There is a snake in the flower bed!” she panted out frantically. Being the rebel I was, I strolled over there rolling my eyes at my grandmother’s silly sense of panic and began searching for the snake. If only I could go back in time and do what any regular kid would do when they sense panic in an authority figure. I would have sprinted the other direction in a heartbeat. I ran to the distress call of my grandmother only to find her weeping in the corner of the yard. “Heavenlee, listen to me, call the police,” she said with a quivering voice. This made me shudder just a little bit. My grandmother was...

Words: 1014 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Weed Trimmer Research Paper

...How to Buy a Weed Trimmer? Are you looking for a great solution for removing weeds and cleaning your garden? Then, a weed trimmer is completely for you. Main function of the weed trimmer is cutting clutter weeds in yards, sidewalks, gardens, etc… The machine is popularly used in landscapes or private homes. There is a plenty of weed trimmers available in today’s marketplace. They vary greatly into different categories, including types, shapes, features, prices and more. This is the reason why finding the best weed trimmer is an essential task. It takes our honor to tell you efficient ways for buying a weed trimmer. Keep on reading and consider important factors that affect your buying decisions. Benefits of a weed trimmer An advanced weed trimmer has powerful strength in removing tough weeds. Most of weed...

Words: 588 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Lit210 Final

...The two works that will be compared and contrasted in this paper will be “A Raisin in the Sun” and “The House on Mango Street.” “A Raisin in the Sun” gives insight to the lives of the members of the Younger Family who will inherit a check for $10,000 from Mr. Younger’s Life Insurance. Each member of the family has a different idea of what to spend the money on, two of the members of the family, Mama and Ruth, both want to use the money to move into a new house. Walter Younger wants to use the money to open up a liquor store with his friends that he believes will help solve the family’s financial problems forever. Walter’s Sister Beneatha, wants to use the money to help pay for her school tuition as she is going to medical school. The play revolves around each member making choices and having to deal with the outcome, or consequences of their actions. For Example, Mama uses half the money to buy a new house for the family to live in, in an all-white neighborhood. This causes the neighborhood to send Mr. Linder, their representative, to negotiate with the Younger’s and convince them to not move into the neighborhood by bribing them with money. The Younger’s then refuse this deal and move in anyway even through all of the racial prejudice. Another Example would be Walter, using his share of the money, along with Beneatha’s to invest in the liquor store. But when he does, he finds out that the person he is investing with has run away with all of his money leaving him with nothing...

Words: 1503 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Beautiful Landscaping

...Color affects people emotionally and physically, so it is an important aspect to designing beautiful landscaping that everyone will enjoy. If it is used correctly, it creates drama and interest by drawing the eye towards the most attractive areas and further away from the less perfect spots. It also changes the mood that a person feels as they spend time in the garden. And as all gardeners know, the fastest way to add color is with the proper placement of flowers and foliage. The following are several tricks to use when considering how to use color the most effectively in the garden. Don't Forget the Seasons Gardens look the best when they are tailored to the seasons. In the spring, there should be more soft pastels. Brighter colors are best saved for the summer. And fall plants should have an array of...

Words: 475 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Flfowers and Weeds

...matter of perception. Weeds spread profusely far faster than flowers. Unlike flowers, weeds are vigorous competitors for light, nutrients and water that all garden flowers need. Their presence may provide a natural way to bring missing nutrients to the soil’s surface, but weeds will push out the flowers that are intended to grow in a flower bed. Weeds are unattractive to most of us. Weeds are a form of plant that grows where it does not belong or where it’s not wanted. A flower grows where you plant it and it blossom so beautiful where you want it to grow. A weed is something that grows anywhere. Weeds are unattractive to most of us. Because they have prickles and thorns that stick you as you are trying to get them out of your garden. When they grow they take over your garden and grow to a certain point and then turn all brown and ugly. They roots grows very deep and destroy the roots of your flowers and that then makes it very hard to kill them off, before they kill off your flowers that you have planted . Weeds makes it hard for other flowers to grow in the same bed , because they pull all the nutrients and light that s need for your flowers to grow. Flowers are those plants that we intentionally plant in our gardens to grow. Flowers are something with life and different rays of colors and beauty that enhance your garden with beautiful scents and all different kinds of shape and size. Flowers that you can cut and use as show pieces for you table or office on your desk or maybe...

Words: 485 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Comp 1 Wgu

...pride in what you have grown. Gardening is hard work, it is a work out to till up the soil and add fertilizer, pull the weeds and keep the weeds from taking over the garden on a daily or weekly basis. Even though gardening is time consuming, everyone should have a garden because gardening provides nutrition, is relaxing and provides better health. The main reason I started a garden was for the nutrition, plus the raised beds were a handmade mother’s day present from my husband and teenage boys. I wanted to provide my family with the best vegetables and know where they came from as well as making them proud. I would know that there were no chemicals used to aid in their growth. I am alright with smaller produce knowing that it wasn’t exposed to chemicals and pesticides. Everyone on our street has a garden, we all grow different things, and share. It is nice to try new things, and learn from each other as well. We all grow our vegetables organically. We are able to give our families better nutrition than what we could afford at the stores. While nurturing my garden I found how peaceful it was to be out there in the dirt, watering it every day. Soon the seeds would poke up through the ground and I would look for progress every morning. This process is very relaxing for me personally. I have expanded my garden this year and doubled its size, adding more work, more food, and relaxation. Gardening...

Words: 572 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Asda

...SEASONAL GARDENING Here in the UK we don't have climate, we have weather. But it is (loosely) separated into four seasons. For the gardener each season becomes early, middle and late. For instance, early spring is February to March, mid-spring is March to April, and so on throughout the year. Be Patient It's easy to succumb to the temptation to rush into the garden on the first sunny day of spring, especially for those of us who spend six months a year re-reading seed catalogues and peering wistfully at the garden through frosty windows. Indeed, for many of us, the asthmatic coughing of two-cycle engines, rudely awoken and pressed into service before the completion of their well-earned period of rest, is a truer harbinger of spring than the return of migrating birds. But it's often better to wait for the first rush to the garden centres to subside before undertaking anything more than an exploratory expedition into the garden. Some crops, such as peas, can be safely planted in cold soil; but, for most plants, it's much better to wait for the soil to warm up before planting. A good rule of thumb is never to work wet soil. Heavy soils, especially, will compact horribly if you rush out to till them too early in the season or after a heavy rain. Trampling about in clay soil will make you feel as though your legs are about to fall off at the hips, and will repay your eagerness to re-enact the Battle of the Somme by leaving a legacy of soil that's almost impossible to cultivate...

Words: 1054 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Leadership

...Leadership The Britannica online dictionary defines “gardening” as the practice of growing, nurturing, and cultivating..for the purpose of producing.. Much like gardening leadership is the practice of guiding, “cultivating”, and supporting others in the accomplishment of a common goal. Just as a gardener has to study his soil, determine what he will plant, choose the correct plants, and create the appropriate conditions; a leader likewise has to study the environment of their area of responsibility, lay out the specific purpose of it, prepare a conducive place for growth, get the right people in to be able to fulfill the purpose. Successful Gardening requires a skilled gardener is acutely aware and knowledgeable about plant growth-- how fast does it grow, in which soil does grow, how much water and how much sun does it need, what does it grow, what stimulates its growth, what hinders its growth, how does the growth of neighboring plants affect each other,.. Similarly effective leadership involves a leader or clinician that establishes themselves as an expert on what it takes to create a healthy environment to support individuals growth and the growth of an organization. As a clinician, a leader gets to know the ones that they lead and nurture them according to their individual growth patterns. Change is constant throughout the universe, and in every aspect of life we can think of. Gardening also requires innovation in response to changing soil, changing weather, changing...

Words: 276 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Professional Landscaping Research Paper

...The interior of your home is complete, walls painted, furniture positioned, each room curated with care; now it’s time to think about the exterior: a beautiful landscape design is what you need to showcase your stylish tastes and boost your home’s curb appeal. But exquisite home gardens take time and energy you can’t spare. Professional landscaping companies are the ticket to gorgeous gardens. For residents of Orange Beach, AL, Emerald Coast Landscaping provides quality lawn maintenance and landscape design. After the professionals exact your lawn’s new stylish design, what can you do to care for your new plants? Here are 3 easy DIY gardening tips to keep your flowers healthy and full: Garden after your morning eggs: Sprinkle eggshells at...

Words: 356 - Pages: 2