RE: ACGA training & support services

B* J*

The following are the training and direct support services that ACGA
currently offers for community garden organizations (small, large, new, old,
etc.)

1.  Cultivating Communities publication for examples, ideas, and inspiration
on using community gardening for community building.

2.  Growing Communities Curriculum (text and 10 workshops laid out in "cook
book" style and detail) to use independently for trainings with garden
leaders, gardens, and garden sponsoring organizations.  The folks in Salt
Lake City (all volunteer, just starting gardens) recently used it and were
very excited about the results.

3.  ACGA volunteers provide a Train the Trainers  2-3 day workshopn
(mini-conference) on conducting the Growing Communities Curriculum
workshops.  Local host (and participants) must provide funds (about $8,000 -
$10,000) to cover trainer expenses, workshop costs, and fee to ACGA. The
Chicago Botanic Garden hosted such a training at the end of January,
attended by 24 from Chicago, Nashville, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Idaho Falls,
Baltimore.  This training could be part of a local conference.

4.  Attend the ACGA annual conference in NYC this July 25-28.

5.  ACGA can still arrange for  From the Roots Up style mentorships where an
expert professional works one-on-one with a local community gardening
organization for 3 to 24 months.  This is currently offered only on a
fee-basis.  Depending on the specific scope of work, the cost is generally
$5,000 to $10,000.  This usually includes 2-3 site visits and numerous phone
meetings.  Recently gardening programs have funded mentorships through fund
from the Anna B. Casey Foundation and the Institute for Justice (US Dept.
Justice Weed & Seed program).

6.  Other options: use the listserve and its archives;  call ACGA board
members and other ACGA members.

Betsy Johnson, Boston Natural Areas Network  617-542-7696

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