Re: community_garden digest, Vol 1 #332 - 6 msgs

**P*@aol.com**

In a message dated 5/11/2000 11:07:43 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
community_garden-admin@mallorn.com writes:

> and=20     credibility?&nbsp; Any suggestions you have would be 
appreciated.=
> 20    </DIV>    <DIV>Thank you,</DIV>    <DIV>Jennifer Giustino</DIV>    
<DIV
>
> (708)=20366-2947</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
>  

Re:  Jennifer Giustino request

To approach the community Government without a good plan and presentation is 
certain to result in negative responses  and discuragement.  Some of the 
following may be of help to you.

    1.  Many communities have special departments which would relate to your
           area of inquiry.  One suggestion might be parks/recreation 
department.
           Preliminary work with some of these types of individuals often 
helps.
      2.  Consultation with  "your" elected representative(s) is often 
helpful and if they
           are receptive, they can often prepare the way or clear obstacles 
for you.
           Personal contact is often very productive.  If you have media 
ability and you 
           can get an audience of the decision makers, it is often helpful.
      3.   Churches and similar organizations are often receptive to socially 

           constructive projects.
      4.  Lone individuals are easier to say no to than delegations.
      5.  The project needs to appear to be on "reasonable ground" in order 
for  it to         
           gain acceptance.
      6. Arguments for a community garden:
              a. It promotes values of working with others
              b. It promotes appreciation of the outdoors and nature
              c. It can be a cohesive force within the community
              d. It can be a starting place for a group like the 4-H program 
which is now
                  very active in some urban communities.   Call your 
extension agent for                 
                 this one.  They often have info on local community gardens 
and 
                 interested people too.
             e. It promotes healthy exercise and socialization
             f.  It provides food and excellent nutrition
            g.  It promotes the necessity of preparing food for the table 
rather than 
                 complete dependence on less nutritious commercial scources.
            h.  It gives opportunity for the ancient spring rites of planting 
and Fall rites of 
                harvesting. -= We build a Fall Harvest Festival around our 
Community 
                Garden
  7.  Target a group in your presentations-such as "Senior Citizens"  which 
is our 
       community gardening group.   Seniors are very hungry to get their 
fingers into 
       the soil.   They can be a great group to rally around such an idea too.
  8.  The more positive your presentation, the greater chance you have of 
success 
       and acceptance.

I hope that these few suggestions will be of use to you and maybe even some 
others on the list.

Humbly and respectfully submitted
Elmer L. Morehouse
Professional Biologist and Advanced Master Gardener.

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