2010

Miranda Baines

Elsabe Dixon

Douglas Lewis

YiZhen Liu

Matthew MacFarland

Loren Pritchett

Reginald Singletary

Samanthe Tiver

July 30, 2010

Community Gardens

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CONTENTS

Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 4

Need .......................................................................................................................................................... 4

Opportunity............................................................................................................................................... 4

Recommendations and Impact ................................................................................................................. 4

Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 5

Opportunity................................................................................................................................................... 6

Virginia Tech Community Garden Working Group ................................................................................... 6

Danville Farmer’s Market .......................................................................................................................... 6

Danville Master Gardener Association ..................................................................................................... 6

Schools ...................................................................................................................................................... 7

Church Leaders ......................................................................................................................................... 7

Juvenile Detention Center ........................................................................................................................ 7

Supplemental Existing Programs .............................................................................................................. 7

Impacts .......................................................................................................................................................... 8

Economic Benefits ..................................................................................................................................... 8

Health Benefits .......................................................................................................................................... 8

Education Benefits .................................................................................................................................... 9

Social Capital and Psychosocial Benefits ................................................................................................. 10

Social Justice Impacts .............................................................................................................................. 11

Leadership Development ........................................................................................................................ 11

Barriers ........................................................................................................................................................ 12

Public interest ......................................................................................................................................... 12

Crime ....................................................................................................................................................... 12

Long-term Site Tenure ............................................................................................................................ 12

Soil Quality .............................................................................................................................................. 13

Recommendations for Execution ................................................................................................................ 13

Roanoke, Virginia .................................................................................................................................... 13

Lynchburg, Virginia ................................................................................................................................. 14

Detroit, Michigan .................................................................................................................................... 14

Winchester, Indiana ................................................................................................................................ 14

Recommendations .................................................................................................................................. 14

Next Steps ................................................................................................................................................... 15

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Financial Proposal ................................................................................................................................... 15

Planning .................................................................................................................................................. 16

Partnerships ........................................................................................................................................ 16

Regional collaboration ........................................................................................................................ 16

Community survey .............................................................................................................................. 16

Construction ............................................................................................................................................ 17

Outreach ................................................................................................................................................. 17

Conclusion ................................................................................................................................................... 17

Appendix ..................................................................................................................................................... 18

Sample Survey on Community Gardening .............................................................................................. 18

References .................................................................................................................................................. 18

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The urban agriculture movement is blossoming with community gardens sprouting up across Virginia

and the United States. These gardens provide an avenue for enhancing community unity and health,

generating social capital, fostering pride, and improving the aesthetic quality of neighborhoods. In this

report, we identified the benefits and determined the feasibility of starting community gardens in the

Danville region. Through partnerships we aim to develop a community garden program that will provide

valuable benefits to the region.

NEED

Residents of the Danville region all want to be part of a community; however, they lack sufficient outlets

for community action. Along with more interactive volunteer opportunities, the region needs greater

economic support and its residents need better health. The closing of Dan River Mills had a major

impact on the region’s economy, causing Danville, Pittsylvania County and Caswell County to suffer

unemployment rates above ten percent. The region has a 32.2 percent obesity rate, an increase from

the past few years. We see community gardens as a way to alleviate these issues.

OPPORTUNITY

The area is abundant with the people and organizations needed to make community gardens a

successful reality. The Danville Farmers' Market, Master Gardeners of Danville, and several schools and

churches have offered to help in this endeavor for community engagement. A community garden

program will fit well with currently existing health initiatives in the area, such as Get Fit Danville and

Virginia Cooperative Extension Family Nutrition Program, which will achieve the goals of community

participation and improving the overall health of the region.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND IMPACT

Models for beginning such projects exist, and despite Danville’s unique character, many of those models

provide insight applicable to this community. We recommend the Danville Regional Foundation take a

leading role in creating community gardens in the city and region by starting the conversation with the

community and supporting those leaders who have already voiced interest or have offered their

assistance. The next step is to survey the community members and form partnerships with local

organizations to market the program. Once leaders and participants have been identified, the garden’s

size and structure must be determined based on availability of land, number of interested parties, and

resources of community partners. As the community garden program continues, we will encourage the

gardens to support and donate surplus food to local food banks for low-income families. The program

may also extend and provide the community with educational cooking classes on a periodic basis.

Community gardens can offer multiple benefits to the region that are in line with the values of the

Danville Regional Foundation. Community gardens have the power to instill community pride and

promote greater community involvement and leadership, provide fresh food to low-income households,

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and increase the property value in Danville. The region has the potential, the resources, and the

community necessary to gain these benefits from a community garden program.

INTRODUCTION

From Los Angeles to Detroit to Washington D.C., the urban agriculture movement is growing. In cities

and towns, citizens have recognized the need for ready access to healthier food and have taken the

initiative to start neighborhood gardens that they themselves work and harvest. These gardens vary in

size; some feed only a few families and others are productive enough to send hundreds of pounds of

produce to local food banks. Other areas in Virginia have already joined this movement; approximately

16 community gardens and urban farms are scattered throughout the state from Arlington to Galax. By

joining a trend that has gained traction in recent years, the Danville area could position itself at the

forefront of a movement of national interest. There is a real need for community gardens in the City of

Danville, and the city has the resources, potential, and a deep-rooted love of community to make them

a reality.

Beyond community empowerment, community gardens will address health concerns in the area.

According to the Danville Regional Foundation 2009 Regional Report Card, the area progressed in a

number of health areas but still demonstrated room for improvement. These problems include a rise in

obesity (32.3 percent), heart disease-related death (266.4 per 100,000), and cancer incidence rate (199

per 100,000). The nutrients and minerals in fresh produce are proven to combat these specific health

problems, making those nutrients—and the produce in which they are found—essential to residents of

the Danville area. Community gardens provide direct access to this kind of food, which retains much of

the nutrients lost by long-term packaging and storing. Studies have shown that produce travels an

average of about 1,500 miles en route from the farm to the market; over the course of this travel,

produce that was at one time fresh and at peak nutritional value has deteriorated. If Danville and the

surrounding region are to combat the rising incidence of health problems attributed to poor diet, that

diet must be improved. Community gardens are one of the simplest and most direct ways of giving

individuals and families access to food that is grown in a safer way, retains more nutritional value, and

facilitates knowledge of implementing a healthy diet.

Along with the area’s dietary concerns, socioeconomic facts in the Danville area establish a need for

investment in community garden projects. In 2009, Danville suffered an unemployment rate of 12.6

percent; Pittsylvania County, 10.2 percent; and Caswell County, 12.4 percent. The closing of Dan River

Mills had a major impact on the region’s economy and increased the risk of hunger in the region. Less

quantifiable but arguably more important, the loss of Dan River Mills and other large employers has led

to a kind of pessimism. In a 2009 University of Virginia Social Capital Survey, 93.8 percent of Danville

region respondents said they "felt at home where [they lived]" and 91 percent said that being a part of

the community is either “somewhat important” or “very important” to them. Despite these positive

responses, the same survey found that 68.2 percent of people in Danville believe their children must

leave the region to have a better future.1 The survey also found that 56.7 percent of respondents

volunteered only five hours or less a month.2 A loyal community exists in Danville, but there must be

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more outlets for the public to work together for development in the region. A movement towards

community gardens could be a force for progress across multiple social sectors: health, education, social

justice, and community interaction.

OPPORTUNITY

Several community members and organizations have expressed interest in starting community garden

projects in the Danville area. By partnering with these groups, the Foundation will be able to establish a

basis for both the startup and long-term maintenance of a community garden in the Danville region.

VIRGINIA TECH COMMUNITY GARDEN WORKING GROUP

Students and professors from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University’s department of Human

Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise are conducting community-based, participatory research on the

influences of obesity in the Dan River region. The DRF and Get Fit Danville collaborate to partner with

community members to identify and address the causes of obesity in the region. The coalition broke

into several subcommittees, including a working group on community gardens. This organization

includes a variety of perspectives and interested parties but could benefit from further partnerships and

expertise.

DANVILLE FARMER’S MARKET

The Danville Farmers Market serves as a provider of fresh produce, baked goods, and other locally made

items. Located at the Crossing at the Dan, the market draws hundreds to its booths every Saturday

between the months of May and October. Seeing the market as an ideal location for a community

garden, Jacob McCann, market manager, has expressed an interest in taking a leadership position in

such a project. While location and available land is not a problem, McCann has been unable to secure

funding. Though he was denied a national grant to start a garden, he is now planning for a start-up

within the next two years. He intends on starting a small garden and expanding as interest and funding

grows. McCann would also be willing to set up a station at the market for families to sell extra produce

from their plots. Having available land and a relationship with Danville’s Parks and Recreation, Jacob

McCann and the Farmers Market will serve as ideal partners in establishing a community garden.

DANVILLE MASTER GARDENER ASSOCIATION

While partnering with groups to secure an ideal location is important, having a group of knowledgeable

gardeners will ensure successful management of a community garden. Dan Goble, president of Danville

Master Gardener Association (DMGA), said that there is a need for a community garden in this area and

would like to participate in the development of one. He and other master gardeners in Danville have

received the proper training to both start and maintain gardens. Their knowledge will prove helpful in

educating people around the city who are interested in participating in the community garden. From

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identifying what plants grow best in this region to preparing soil for planting, master gardeners will

provide a wealth of useful knowledge.

SCHOOLS

Currently, members of DMGA are working with students at Glenwood Elementary School. Teachers at

the school have enlisted the help of master gardeners to give students a hands-on experience in

gardening—an opportunity that will assist in preparation for Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOLs). As

master gardeners continue their interaction with school-aged children, the Foundation could collaborate

with Danville Public Schools and other academic institutions to enlist additional manpower for the

community garden. In addition to Glenwood Elementary School, there are several schools that may be

potential partners. Students at E.A. Gibson Middle School, a magnet school for mathematics and

science, enjoyed a greenhouse behind the facility until budget cuts forced its end. Angel McKinney,

former coordinator of the greenhouse, said that the school may be interested in participating in a

community garden if there was funding available. Students at George Washington High School

participate in the Green Club and both Averett University and Danville Community College have

programs dealing with Environmental Science. There is potential to partner with these schools that

show an interest in environmental initiatives and see the advantages of hands-on learning through

working in a community garden. Not only will partnerships with local schools give the garden a large

volunteer pool—it will also instill the importance of community and benefits of gardening in children.

CHURCH LEADERS

Reverend Delaware Clark, pastor of Camp Grove Baptist Church, said involving the youth in community

initiatives will help sustain the idea of community engagement. Clark has been farming since 1976 and

wants to start a community garden for the neighborhood surrounding his church. He has had the idea

on the church’s agenda for two years and sees a large expression of interest. The Rev. Clark would like to

be involved in a project to start a community garden in the City of Danville in order to provide fresh

produce to those who may not be able to buy them. He said outreach to other churches is key, as they

are typically the center of most communities.

JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER

The W. W. Moore, Jr. Detention Center is home to the Green Thumb Nursery. The nursery is part of the

Post Dispositional Horticulture Program to provide therapy for the residents, teaching them to care for

another living thing. The nursery has a commercial sized green house, a garden, and an arboretum. The

residents participate in designing and implementing landscapes. Several times a year the residents host

flower and tree sales to provide funds for the program in upcoming years. The program has received

several awards from across the country and has had over 100 participants. At this time, community

members have little to no access to the gardens or working with the residents.

SUPPLEMENTAL EXISTING PROGRAMS

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A community garden is not a solitary entity, but rather a piece of the larger puzzle to make Danville

healthier. Beverly Vaden with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Family Nutrition Program hosts

“Stretching Your Food Dollars,” helping residents learn to make inexpensive healthy meals. Access to a

community garden could better facilitate healthy choices, making these existing nutrition programs ideal

community partners.

Recently, the DRF funded the Coalition for Health and Wellness in its efforts to establish Get FitDan

River, a nonprofit providing education and opportunities for better health. A community garden could

help Get Fit provide an additional educational component to their clients and increase continuity

between DRF initiatives. Together these many components can work to improve health in the Danville

region.

By exploring the interest of local organizations, schools and churches, the Foundation can begin to start

a conversation about community gardens in the Danville area. This conversation will lead to the

partnership and action of interested parties.

IMPACTS

ECONOMIC BENEFITS

Studies have been conducted examining the impact of community gardens on urban areas that have

suffered from economic downturns. One area of New York City, Loisaida, was hard-hit by the financial

crisis of the 1970’s resulting in foreclosures and abandoned buildings—some of Danville’s problems as

well. Establishing a large shared space in the form of a community garden alleviated some of the area

problems, such as violent crime and drug activity. The gardens transformed vacant junk-laden spaces

into attractive, safe places that foster social interaction among community members. They also offered

young people who had a tendency to gravitate toward drug use and other adverse activities an

alternative, educational option. The result was a more attractive, more socially cohesive, well-educated

community. Although this New York area cannot be directly compared to Danville, the downturn of the

economy following the closure of Dan River Mills resulted in some of the same kinds of problems that

Loisaida faced, among them poverty, unemployment, and property foreclosures. For these reasons,

Danville may experience some of the same economic benefits from community gardening that Loisaida

experienced.

Additionally, the cost to fund a community garden is significantly less than the cost of a city-developed

park. A 1992 study demonstrated that community gardens are labor intensive, with labor done by

community members representing 80 percent of the total investment in the garden project. Studies

have also shown that gardens increase property values in their vicinity. It was estimated that the

average garden increased the city tax revenue in Milwaukee by $9,000.

HEALTH BENEFITS

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Locally grown fruits and vegetables are significantly healthier than produce shipped in from elsewhere.

Local farmers, having far fewer miles to travel to market, often choose to grow varieties that allow for

better taste and nutritional value, instead of varieties that can better withstand the grueling conditions

of cross-country travel. Community gardens further reduce the travel time to consumers, giving the

produce a greater chance to retain nutrients and minerals. Community garden practices are generally

healthier for the consumers, as well; gardens are often planted with organic methods, using integrated

pest control instead of the toxic pesticides common in large-scale agriculture.

The health benefits of community gardens are not reserved for those who consume the fresh fruits and

vegetables, though—all who participate in the planting and harvesting of the produce engage in calorie-

burning physical activity. The United States Department of Agriculture 2005 Dietary Guidelines for

Americans set out strategies for reducing the impact of specific health issues and the levels of intensity

of physical activity for combating certain health problems. To “reduce the risk of chronic disease”—

cancer and heart disease, as well as other obesity-related problems—the USDA notes that moderate, or

above-normal, physical activity is best. Such activity burns calories at a rate of 210 to 420 calories an

hour, the limits within which light gardening falls. Half an hour of gardening could burn as many as

about 250 calories. The act of gardening itself, along with the consumption of the produce grown,

provides an excellent route to better health that anyone—child, adult, or senior—can travel.

EDUCATION BENEFITS

In addition to addressing health issues that affect the community as a whole, community gardens can

foster an understanding of gardening and its benefits in the youth of the area. Glenwood Elementary

School, which specializes in environmental studies, has planted a moderate-sized garden behind the

school’s main building. Already abloom with an array of vegetables—tomatoes, cucumbers, raspberries,

among others—the garden will yield produce to be sold or used in the school’s cafeteria, allowing the

students to make a direct connection between their labors outside in the garden and what’s on the

plate in front of them, a connection adults often take for granted. Ramona Booker, Physical Education

teacher at the elementary school, works with custodial staff and Danville’s Master Gardeners to manage

the student garden, a project that incorporates Virginia’s standards of learning (SOLs) while connecting

the students with their community.

By promoting student participation in a garden, teachers at Glenwood add a level of direct involvement

that reinforces the information they teach in the classroom. From the process of a seed becoming a

plant to photosynthesis, the garden serves as a visual aid to supplement textbook learning. Gardening

can work in tandem with every major subject in the primary school curriculum, from math and science

to language and visual arts. School administrators find this type of integrated learning beneficial to both

the children and the surrounding community. At harvest time, the children, teachers, and a Danville

Master Gardener pick the produce, fostering a sense of community in all involved.

By learning from and working with an older generation of residents who have a history of agricultural

activity, children gain a tangible connection with the history of the community through its land, a

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concept that has particular meaning in the Danville area, once an agricultural hub for tobacco and other

produce. Though on a much smaller scale, the students still gain a valuable, personal connection with

the kind of work their parents and grandparents may have done, forging a tie to family and state history.

Additionally, children who garden experience a connection with the natural world that they oftentimes

overlook.

Despite the abundance of natural beauty in the area, some children in southside Virginia suffer a

deficiency in the exploration and understanding of nature. Having children take ownership of student

gardens provides a chance to learn more about their natural surroundings. By engaging the children at

an early age, teachers begin to expose ideas of sustainability, food chains, energy cycles, and the ways

human action impacts the environment—and the students learn that such action is not limited to

destructive or negative results. Environmental education—both academic and personal—will instill in

the children a respect for nature that they will carry with them into adulthood.

SOCIAL CAPITAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL BENEFITS

Beginning a community garden may lead to an increase in social capital by promoting cultural diversity

and dissipating language barriers in the region. The demographics of Danville consist of a nearly equal

white and black American population with a very small number of Hispanic residents whereas white

Americans are overwhelmingly the majority population in Pittsylvania and Caswell counties. A 1992

study of San Jose, California’s Community and Culture Heritage Gardens found that the gardens

provided an outlet for preservation of heritage by giving people the opportunity to plant the foods that

were closely associated with their particular culture. Maintaining a garden would involve everyone

working together, forging new relationships among participants of different cultural and socioeconomic

backgrounds.

Becky Wales, director of God’s Storehouse in Danville, said a community garden would provide an

opportunity for the community as a whole to learn and work together. She noted that many community

members are unable to plant gardens, especially those who live in apartments and don’t have their own

yards. Wales said a strong location for a community garden would be near public housing. Kathy Milam,

a member of the Garden Club of Danville, also believes a community garden would increase social

interaction. She pointed out that several garden clubs in the area could lend their expertise to planning

the gardens and teaching residents how to maintain the gardens.

Milam, also a grant writer for Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services, recently wrote a $500 grant for

a community garden at Harmony House, a home on Rison Street for adults with special needs. Milam

called the community garden a place for fellowship. One of the doctors at Harmony House, Dr. Trost,

began the garden thinking it would be a therapeutic outlet for the clients. Mary Katechi, executive

director of Harmony House, said that eight clients are highly involved in the garden and have benefitted

from the opportunity to work in it.

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Donna Armstrong of the University of Albany studied the impact of community gardens on community

development in upstate New York and found that the gardens seemed to strengthen improved social

networks. Mark Rembold, horticulture instructor at Piedmont Community College, believes that having a

community garden will instill a sense of responsibility and pride in community residents. He also thinks

that having a garden to tend will have positive psychosocial effects, like helping depression among

people who live alone and senior citizens. According to Rembold, gardening will be therapeutic for these

people. Another benefit of a neighborhood garden will be a decrease in drug problems and revitalization

of the area near the garden, said Rembold.

Research indicates a positive correlation between gardening and psychological well-being. Past research

reveals a cause and effect relationship between simply viewing a plant and a reduction in blood

pressure, muscle tension, stress, and negative emotions. Further research demonstrated a positive

correlation between cancer patients’ outlook on life and their participation in restorative activities such

as gardening. Gardening also helps improve community members’ sense of community. Additionally,

well-landscaped areas, trees, and opportunities to grow plants were among the most important factors

in neighborhood satisfaction among apartment dwellers.

SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACTS

Community gardens can improve the health of people originating from a low socioeconomic status

(SES). Historically, those in poverty have been deprived of healthy, nutritional foods because of their

inability to afford them. The USDA reports that fresh vegetables and fruits are significantly more

expensive than canned vegetables and fruits. Moreover, foods higher in fats and oils are even cheaper.

Thus, people with a low SES are more likely than those in higher income brackets to purchase unhealthy

food. Becky Wales, the director of God's Storehouse in Danville, has seen a 60% increase in the number

of families that God's Storehouse feeds on a weekly basis from 2004-2009. God's Storehouse currently

feeds approximately 600 families per week. Wales said she sees a great need for low-income

populations to have access to fresh fruits and vegetables as those foods tend to be more expensive.

Moreover, poverty-stricken people are less likely to have health insurance. Community gardens can help

alleviate this snowball of circumstances by providing these populations with fresh vegetables and fruits

for free or at a low cost.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Creating community gardens can serve as an avenue for leadership development. In a study of the

Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s gardening efforts, unlikely leaders emerged by maintaining and

managing the gardens. Marti Ross Bjornson, a graduate student at Northwestern University, found that

inner-city gardeners acquired necessary life skills while working with their elected officials through

planting and maintaining community gardens. The research student stated that these once-marginalized

residents now could access public policy directly through participation and could better understand the

process of economic development.

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BARRIERS

PUBLIC INTEREST

Perhaps the most important factor in maintaining a functioning community garden is capturing and

keeping public interest. This can stem from a wide variety of factors, including negative or false

perceptions of the usefulness or viability of community gardening. In almost all cases where community

gardens have failed, lack of support and interest by the local community caused that failure. However,

the support and interest in the Danville region seems to be significant enough to avoid this. Still,

promotion and community education about the program will need to continue to make it a success.

Evidence suggests that community gardens are significantly less successful in rural areas, due to the

already increased availability of usable land and the inconvenience of transportation. If the program is

to extend to rural areas, the best option would be to tie it to a voluntary organization such as a church,

which would ensure the project’s success among its members while maintaining a support network of

friends and neighbors.

CRIME

According to many reports, another key concern is the problem of theft and vandalism, especially for

those gardens located in an urban and low-income environment where the community lacks productive

interaction. Garden programs in rural settings, however, rarely encounter theft and vandalism. Another

concern—difficulties in management and organization support—arose in a Toronto community garden

study. While some gardeners experienced interpersonal conflict, others suffered frustration because of

their lack of experience in agriculture or gardening. Since first-time gardeners and children will be a

significant part of outreach efforts, this potential hurdle bears significance.

These problems have solutions, however: an organized and dedicated committee running the garden

program can schedule meetings for the gardeners and pass out newsletters featuring community events

and gardening techniques. This will encourage the community to grow closer and prevent the

possibilities for miscommunication and conflict between the gardeners. The growing sense of

community will reduce the likelihood of theft and vandalism in the gardens. A Danville garden

committee would have to seek cooperation from community partners and fully use the existing

resources in the region. Brief classes can be offered on the grounds for first time gardeners by Master

Gardeners. At the educational level, it will be important to have programs in schools that introduce and

advocate gardening to the youth. After-school programs can also be partnered with to incorporate the

community garden into their activities. These programs will help educate and raise gardening awareness

in the community.

LONG-TERM SITE TENURE

Another challenge faced by organizers is the insecurity of long-term site tenure. In most cases,

community garden programs do not budget for land purchase; a community garden program in Danville

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must then obtain permissions to sites or find land donations locally. Often, a city underestimates the

value of the gardens and sells the property for development—this happened to the New York City

community gardens in 1999, where more than a hundred community garden sites were threatened to

be auctioned off as city-owned property to gain revenue. Similarly, gardens in upstate New York,

Wisconsin, and the City of Toronto face the same threat. To prevent these threats from appearing, it will

be important to establish a good mutual understanding with the city government and obtain

governmental support for the program. Seeking donations and obtaining permission from private

landowners may also present solutions to problems of site tenure.

SOIL QUALITY

A concern of both those who wish to start a community garden and others in the community is the

quality of the soil in which plants will be grown. This is an especially pressing concern in the urban

environment, where concerns about soil quality are common. The best course of action, both for the

sake of reassuring the public and ensuring the health of those using the garden, would be to conduct a

test for soil quality. However, these tests can be expensive. If the city has current soil quality data

already, it would greatly expedite the process.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXECUTION

With diverse community gardens across the country, no clear model for the ideal garden exists.

However, several themes do arise among successful gardens. All gardens must start with thoughtful

planning through reflective conversations of all interested parties and the development of a few key

leaders to take responsibility for the future of the garden. Once leaders and participants have been

identified, the garden’s size and structure must be determined based on availability of land, number of

interested parties, and resources of community partners. After completing preliminary interviews,

several interested individuals stated that the garden should be walking distance from gardeners and

located in an area near the neighborhoods you want to revitalize. This convenient location would enable

more individuals to participate by negating the need for transportation. The four following examples

demonstrate these essential characteristics of successful gardens.

ROANOKE, VIRGINIA

Roanoke boasts a bustling downtown, a thriving farmer's market, and a very successful community

garden near the city center. In 2007, interested and dedicated residents founded the Roanoke

Community Garden Association (RCGA) and in the spring of 2008, the Association began three pilot

gardens in backyards of private residents. These pilot gardens allowed the Association to work out the

kinks and get started with a larger community garden later that year. Roanoke's community garden has

30 plots, each about 300 square feet, according to RCGA founder and manager, Mark Powell. Roanoke

leases out the plots to individuals, families, and organizations like the Boys and Girls Club for a yearly fee

of $20 as well as a minimum of 4 hours required work in the garden each season. Although Roanoke's

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garden is expanding every year, Powell suggests beginning on a much smaller scale. This suggestion is

especially pertinent to Danville, as the population here is only about half of Roanoke's.

LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA

Lynchburg has had similar success with their community garden, managed by the non-profit Lynchburg

Grows. Their downtown half-acre garden, started in 2004, has given much back to the community

through youth programs, low-income and disabled resident programs and workshops for the general

community.4 President of Lynchburg Grows, Derek Cunningham, says that while the initial costs of

creating a community garden were high (about $2 for every square foot of soil and $600 for water), the

community garden managed to cut costs by making their own compost soil of leaves and horse manure

and installing a drip-line system that reduced their monthly water bill to $300. Lynchburg's success is

primarily due to its relationship with city government, the local farmer's market, and volunteers. While

Lynchburg and Roanoke are models of success, a community garden in Danville would necessarily be

different. It is important to not simply replicate these models, but to look at some of the problems they

faced and how these two flourishing community gardens solved them.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Detroit is a city in transformation. While the city of Detroit is many times larger than Danville, both cities

have lost their large manufacturing companies and suffer from the resulting economic hardships. Detroit

began community gardens as means of beautifying dilapidated neighborhoods, providing access to fresh

produce for lower income neighborhoods, and increasing the value of otherwise vacant inner city areas.

The city is spotted with dozens of small plots that are gardened by the surrounding neighborhoods

through the assistance of The Greening of Detroit and a few other nonprofit organizations and funded

by the sale of the produce at local farmers' markets. Danville cannot mimic Detroit's widespread farming

efforts because of its smaller population. However, Danville can mirror Detroit's model for small plots

located within city blocks because, like Detroit, Danville has many vacant homes and empty city plots

with lower property values. Additionally, Detroit's model has been successful in increasing access to

fresh, healthy foods for lower income people that is a key goal of starting a Danville community garden.

WINCHESTER, INDIANA

Winchester, Ind., a small manufacturing town, is home to a successful community garden through the

local YMCA. While small, Winchester's garden is divided into individual plots and each plot is gardened

by a family or individual. The leader of the garden encourages gardeners to plant an 'extra row' to give

away to the local food pantry. While this model does not engage all individuals in the community as is

desired in Danville, the donation of excess food and partnership with the YMCA showcases some of the

opportunities available. Last summer, the Winchester garden donated over $650 to the local food

pantry as well as bushels of extra produce.

RECOMMENDATIONS

C o m m u n i t y G a r d e n s | 15

A variety of models and structures for community gardens have been successful throughout the country.

Here in Danville, the community garden leaders must identify which garden fits their needs best. From

our preliminary research, we recommend:

Location Within a low income neighborhood; abandoned lot (free under urban squatting laws)

Size Small; no more than 10 plots

Structure Raised beds: secures soil safety; increased accessibility

Fence: deter crime

Participants

Surrounding residents: provide increased access to healthy foods for low income

individuals; improve relations with surrounding community

Experienced gardeners: help to educate fellow gardeners; better sustain produce

Interested community members: by application; develop cross-community ties

Partnerships

City of Danville: help to gain permission for land use; provide lower cost water use; access

to city greenhouses6

Danville Public Schools: incorporate into science curriculum; teach healthy habits

Master Gardeners, GardenClub of Danville, Danville Horticulture Society: provide expertise

and education on gardening

Community Market: provide outlet for commercial sale of produce

Danville Science Center: develop related educational programming

Funding Sell excess produce at Farmers' Market for funds

Charge sliding scale fee for gardeners/members

Vegetables Nightshade plants: tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, hot peppers, eggplants

NEXT STEPS

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

1. Planning Grant

Estimated Cost: up to $5,000

Impact:

Fund a community survey to gauge interest

Acquire related texts and resources

Develop a test plot

Create long term plan for how community gardens will benefit Danville

2. Construction of a community garden

Estimated Cost: up to $20,000 (Expected: ≈ $10,000)

Impact:

Provide materials including raised beds, shed, tools, and fencing

Purchase a diverse group of plants to provide education and varied nutrients

Beautify neighborhoods and vacant lots

Increase cross cultural relationships and interactions

C o m m u n i t y G a r d e n s | 16

Build community support and interest

Land should be donated or acquired through urban squatting

3. Advertising and outreach

Estimated Cost: up to $5,000

Impact:

Enhance biological science education for students

Improve community diet through nutrition programs

Engage more community members through diverse advertising

Provide texts and necessary materials for effective programs

PLANNING

PARTNERSHIPS

We suggest the Danville Regional Foundation work in collaboration with the Obesity Coalition’s

Community Gardens Committee to reduce duplication of efforts. The DRF should encourage the

Community Gardens Committee to collaborate with several other partners, including the Danville

Master Gardener Association and other gardening organizations, the Community Market, church

leaders, nutrition experts, schools, and local small-scale farmers. The DRF occupies a unique position in

this community; it has a bird’s-eye view of the Danville area and has already shown that it can identify

and prompt local leaders to action. The DRF can play an integral role in making the gardens more

inclusive and successful.

REGIONAL COLLABORATION

While our research efforts have focused on the City of Danville, we would like to reach out to the DRF's

other areas of service, as well (Pittsylvania County and Caswell County). Although our research indicates

that there is a greater need for community and neighborhood gardens in the City of Danville,

Pittsylvania County and Caswell County have unique needs. Many residents in these rural areas own

enough land to maintain their own garden. However, Beverly Vaden, VT extension agent for Danville

and Pittsylvania County, mentioned a need for community gardens at senior living facilities and senior

centers such as Pittsylvania County Community Action in Chatham and the Cherrystone Center in

Ringgold. Rev. Delaware Clark Jr., executive administrator of the Cherrystone Missionary Baptist

Association, mentioned that he would like to see a garden targeted toward senior citizens who grew up

on gardens and now live in housing that does not offer opportunities for gardening. Clark believes the

churches should take a leadership role in the project. Joey Knight, an agricultural extension agent in

Caswell County, said he thinks the residents would be interested in starting a community garden. He

thinks the Caswell Horticulture Club could lend expertise to the project.

COMMUNITY SURVEY

Community gardens in other places struggled due to lack of interest or suffered from increased

vandalism due to poor community relations. In Danville, we recognized the desire to involve low-income

residents but we must place the garden in a location surrounded by neighbors who approve and

C o m m u n i t y G a r d e n s | 17

participate in community gardening. Mark Rembold, a horticulture instructor at Piedmont Community

College, suggested a survey gathering interest in participation and attitudes toward community

gardening in the Dan River Region. Our suggested survey is included in the Appendix as developed by

the American Community Gardening Association.

CONSTRUCTION

This small grant should be used to supplement donated goods and services. The garden will need

supplies for fencing, raised beds, and sheds. The organizers should be able to gather many in-kind

donations from the abundant resources of the community. Ideally, the organizers should gather soil and

manure from farms and composters, plants and seeds from farmers, gardeners, and the city, and land

should be donated or acquired. In the city of Danville, if a vacant plot is cited for breaking an ordinance,

any individual can claim squatting rights if they care for and maintain the land.

OUTREACH

A community garden should do more than provide vegetables and a place for interaction; it should start

a conversation. Gardens offer an excellent opportunity to enhance classroom lessons with hands-on

experiential learning. Additionally, with rising levels of obesity in the region, gardens provide a place to

show families and residents ways to incorporate fruits and vegetables into their diet. This supplemental

grant should also cover necessary advertising costs such as paper, radio, and TV.

CONCLUSION

We recommend the further pursuance of a community garden for the Danville Region based on the

need for improved health and connection to our community. An inclusive conversation for stakeholders

can help us recognize strong leaders for the project and allow clear guidelines to be established. A

survey of the community followed by thorough outreach to the greater region can help to establish a

pool of interested parties and identify concerns that need to be addressed. The groundbreaking of any

garden must be preceded by thoughtful planning for the acquisition of land, purchase of insurance,

selection of participants, and design of the garden. Danville's rich history of agriculture and many active

gardening groups and churches lead to many interested parties. A community garden can help to bring

together citizens and move Danville forward into a healthier, more united future.

C o m m u n i t y G a r d e n s | 18

APPENDIX

SAMPLE SURVEY ON COMMUNITY GARDENING

1. Would you be interested in being involved in a community garden startup project in Danville? Yes/

No (Circle one)

2. If yes, what is your level of experience as a gardener? (choose only ONE answer)

a. No experience (never gardened)

b. Novice (garden recreationally)

c. Expert/ master gardener

3. Are you a member of a garden club? Yes/ No (Circle one) If yes, what garden club?

4. Is there a vacant lot in your neighborhood that you think would make a good location for a

neighborhood garden? If so, what is the name of your neighborhood/street name of the vacant lot?

5. For what reasons would you like to become involved in the community garden? (Rank the following

from 1-4, with one being your primary reason)

______ To meet and socialize with neighbors/ community member

______ To have access to fresh produce

______ To learn how to garden in a collaborative environment

______ Environmental reasons (i.e. sustainability)

6. How much time each week would you be willing to invest in the garden?

7. What challenges do you anticipate would come with starting and/or maintaining a community

garden?

8. What vegetables or flowers are you interested in planting in the community or neighborhood

garden?

9. If you are interested in becoming involved in the regional conversation on community gardening,

please provide your contact information below:

a. Name__________________________

b. Phone Number ____________________

c. E-mail address ____________________

REFERENCES

C o m m u n i t y G a r d e n s | 19

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Malakoff, D. 1995. What good is community greening? Community Greening Review 5: 4-11, http://communitygarden.org/docs/learn/articles/whatgoodiscommunitygreening.pdf.

Rembold, M. . Instructor of Horticulture at Piedmont Community College. 27 May 2010.

Rexrode, D. L., T. M. Guterbock, and A. Diop. 2009. Danville region social capital survey, http://danvilleregionalfoundation.org/documents/DanvilleSocialCapitalSurvey-UVA2009.pdf (accessed 28 May 2010).

Richmond, B. 2010. Community garden encourages nutrition, fighting hunger. Winchester News-Gazette, 29 March

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