Richfield Community Garden Mini-Grant Applications Being Accepted

Editor's Note: The following is a Bloomington Public Health press release.

Bloomington Public Health (BPH) is requesting applications from organizations to support development of new community gardens located in Richfield and serving residents in that city. Applicants may request up to $2,000. One mini-grant will be awarded.

Community gardens have a number of benefits. Participants in community gardens have greater access to fresh produce and have been shown to eat more fruits and vegetables and less unhealthy foods. This benefit goes beyond the gardening season. Other benefits include: being physically active, improved mental and social well-being, stronger and more resilient communities through community relationships, increased citizen action, revitalized neighborhoods, and reclaimed and beautified idle or blighted land. Community gardens create a lasting impact in their neighborhoods.  Visit Gardening Matters’ website, www.gardeningmatters.org, for the many ways that community gardens benefit individuals and communities. 

This mini-grant opportunity is made possible through funding from the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP). SHIP strives to help Minnesotans lead longer, healthier lives by preventing the chronic disease risk factors of tobacco use and exposure, poor nutrition and physical inactivity. SHIP seeks to create sustainable, systemic changes in schools, worksites, communities and health care organizations that make it easier for Minnesotans to incorporate healthy behaviors into their daily lives. For more information, visit www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/ship.

Who Can Apply:  Neighborhood, youth or environmental groups; civic groups; businesses; neighborhood or multi-unit housing associations; faith-based organizations; or similar organizations located in Richfield and serving Richfield residents.

REQUIREMENTS OF APPLICANTS

Complete the Richfield Community Garden Application, which will demonstrate the following requirements:

• How the garden will be built and fully functional at the start of the 2013 growing season.
• Commitment to continue with community garden for a minimum of three years (through 2016 growing season).
• Permission to use land and access to water. A written letter from the landowner providing: 1) permission to use the land for your garden for minimum of 3 years, and 2) confirmation of working access to water. 
• How the garden shall provide increased access to fruits and vegetables by vulnerable populations and those experiencing health disparities[1].  This can be done by providing at least 20% of available gardening space these populations or donating 20% of produce from the gardens to food shelves or similar organizations serving these populations.
• Description of how the organization will continue the garden beyond the 2013 growing season (minimally through 2016 growing season).

We strongly encourage applicants to review the Community Garden Start-Up Guide (available on www.gardeningmatters.org/resources/startupguide.pdf). 

FUNDING & ASSISTANCE

Up to $2,000 will be provided for developing and implementing a new community garden.

In addition to start-up funds, BPH will provide ongoing technical assistance in developing and implementing the community garden to include:

• SHIP Liaison is available to participate in Garden Committee meetings;
• Referral to community garden information, toolkits and local resources;
• Assistance with community outreach plan;
• Assistance in developing a Community Garden Sustainability Plan.

How funds can be used:

Grant funds can be used for one-time installation expenses and costs associated with starting a community garden in the first year.  These expenses may include:

• Start-up gardening supplies, such as shovels, rakes, small tools; soil, soil tests, soil amendments, and mulch; starter plants and seeds; storage containers; watering equipment, hoses, pumps, troughs; composter; and fencing;
• Materials to construct raised beds;
• Tiller rental;
• Portable sheds 8’ x 12’ or smaller;
• Educational materials and training for individuals developing/implementing the community garden start-up; 
• Materials and photo printing for project documentation;
• Refreshments, nametags, and printing for community outreach supplies.

We strongly encourage community gardens to institute best neighbor practices, such as not using synthetic fertilizers or herbicides.  Purchase of these must be fully explained in the application.

All financial transactions will be on a reimbursement basis only.

Unallowable use of funds:

• Advertising and/or promotion of single, one-time activities (classes, events);
• Capital improvements or construction projects, e.g. permanent sheds, cement to support structures, installed underground irrigation systems;
• Installation and/or construction labor costs;
• Land rental for garden;
• Water utility bills;
• Purchase of tillers or lawn mowers;
• Benches, picnic tables;
• Liability insurance to maintain community garden.

What is required of applicants once their project is funded?
The funded grantee will agree to:

• Review work plan and timeline with BPH, making adjustments as needed. It is expected the garden be built and ready for planting for the 2013 growing season;
• Submit itemized invoice to BPH for reimbursement by agreed upon timeline;
• Submit “before,”  “during” and “after” photographs of the site with the final report (videos or other types of documentation are also welcome);
• Participate in 2 site visits by SHIP Liaison;
• Participate in a Community Garden Leadership Training by Gardening Matters (registration for this training will be provided by BPH and does not need to be budgeted in proposal);
• Attend the 2012 Fall Community Garden Workshop provided by BPH;
• Inform BPH in advance of scheduled community work dates;
• Inform BPH of any problems or proposed changes to the timeline, work plan, planned expenditures or budget;
• Incorporate the garden into organization policies and/or practices, documenting the community garden as a distinct and integral part of the organization;
• Develop a Community Garden Sustainability Plan (described below) by May 31, 2013.

Community Garden Sustainability Plan

A sustainability plan is critical for the community garden to have long-term success. This plan will be developed with assistance from the SHIP Liaison, describing how the garden will be continued for a minimum of three additional years (through 2016 growing season). It shall address the following:

• Identification of a garden committee and garden coordinator;
• How the garden will be financially supported by the organization;
• Procedures to ensure that the garden continues to donate a minimum 20% of produce to local food shelves or similar organizations and report the total number of pounds donated at the end of the growing season;
• Action steps to reach out to the neighborhood and specifically populations experiencing health disparities.

And One of the following:

• Action steps for adopting a nutrition policy regarding healthy eating during organization activities.  Examples include requiring healthy meals/snacks during organizational meetings; healthy meals/snack during activities and events; fundraising events that promote a healthy lifestyle; or
• Incorporating the garden into the organization’s business plan.

APPLICATION TIMELINE AND PROCESS

Instructions for submission

Applications can be downloaded at www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/ship.  Completed applications can be submitted either electronically or by mail to Maria Regan Gonzalez (contact information below).

Proposals due

August 24, 2012 by 4:30 p.m. Late proposals will not be accepted.

Grants Announced

August 31, 2012

October 1, 2012 – Work Plan and timeline will be finalized

Grant Period

September 4, 2012 to June 15, 2015

Reporting

Grant recipients are required to provide BPH a garden status update in Fall 2012 and final report by June 15, 2013.

QUESTIONS AND ASSISTANCE

Maria Regan Gonzalez, Community Health Specialist

Bloomington Public Health

1900 W. Old Shakopee Road

Bloomington, MN 55431

Ph. (952) 563-8995

mregangonzalez@ci.bloomington.mn.us

www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/ship

***

The application is attached to this article as a PDF.