Re: Agency gardens....I need advice

**J*@aol.com**

Hi Shelly,
I have run into this situation several times, unfortunately the best 
solutions are employed before hand.  When dealing with an agency that will 
have a transient population working the garden you want to have a commitment 
from the agency, not an individual, on paper.  The very nature of the work 
will almost guarantee that there will be a turnover soon.  Include a cause 
that states that you will provide, for a certain period, an intern garden 
manager while a hiring search (that includes the garden as part of the job 
description) takes place.  You can make the agency want to do this by 
providing incentives- a stall at a market, free everything (which I guess you 
are doing).  I use the guide lines from the ACGA which say get a three year 
lease.  This may require a certification class for the intern, no big deal.  
We have three certified D.O.C. supervisors in our program now.  
We all want to work with folks who could benefit the most from a community 
garden.  Try having a meeting with the general population and stress there is 
a possibility of making a stipend of money selling the veggies you grow.  I 
have seen this work very well.  Go for the gold and tell them about 
sustainability, selling worms, fish, compost...
We lost a garden this year due to a job change, subsequent program change and 
a land sale.  We had all put a lot of work into this mentoring program and it 
disappeared overnight.  I agonized for a long while and in the end these are 
the things I wish I had done better.
I hope this helps,
John

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