by Melissa King
What’s a community garden? What are the benefits?
For me, vegetable gardening is one of the greatest joys of the summer season. Luckily, I have enough open space to grow produce on my own land, but that might not be an option for apartment-dwellers or those who live in urban settings. Community gardens meet the need for “shared green space” where people can grow vegetables, fruit, flowers, or other plants. Based on data from the American Community Gardening Association (ACGA), there are more than 18,000 community gardens in the United States and Canada.
What is special about community gardens?
- First, they are a group endeavor which supports responsible management of natural resources, such as soil and water.
- Furthermore, individuals who invest time and energy in edible gardening alongside fellow gardeners learn more about growing their own food and the nutritional value of fresh produce.
- Added benefits are increased food security, improved physical and emotional well-being, and strengthened relationships.
- The common purpose of gardening in community plots can create enduring bonds that foster friendships and mutual understanding among participants.
Recently, I discovered that the largest non-profit-managed community gardening network in the Charlottesville area is the New Roots Program of the International Rescue Committee (IRC). To find out more, I connected with Cecilia Lapp Stoltzfus, Manager of Food and Agriculture Programs for the IRC. Cecilia believes that gardening is a natural way to promote ecological stewardship while honoring the multicultural values of those who live in our local community.
What is New Roots Charlottesville?
- The mission statement for New Roots says: “This is a multicultural community growing food together to build health, connections, and power.”
- New Roots currently supports close to 100 gardeners at several different sites in Charlottesville and Albemarle County.
- New Roots sponsors activities focused on community gardens, urban agriculture, small business development, nutrition education, and wellness, which impacts food security for refugees who arrive in the U.S. from countries around the world.
- New Roots gives refugees valuable opportunities to develop economic independence as they work with others to make decisions about this cooperative endeavor.
- The IRC is an active member of the Charlottesville Food Justice Network, which involves collaboration with other local food access partners, such as the Piedmont Master Gardeners, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, City of Promise, Charlottesville City Schools, Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, and UVA Equity and Environmental Fellows.
How did this get started?
Over a decade ago, the IRC began partnering with local groups to start neighborhood–based community garden plots. The New Roots initiative expanded in 2015 when a local farming family that owned property adjacent to Moore’s Creek and Azalea Park made an agreement with the IRC to lease that land at low-cost. The location, which borders Charlottesville and Albemarle County, is in a flood plain, but the open space is suitable for residential gardening. With funding from the office of refugee resettlement, New Roots established a pilot program for community gardening on that site in 2014. It was quite successful, and New Roots has expanded over time to include five additional locations. The city of Charlottesville bought this property from the landowners in 2023, and the IRC continues to lease the space for community gardening.
How do New Roots community gardens work?
Here is a summary of how New Roots is organized for shared cultivation. Cecilia Lapp Stoltzfus manages the program, and she has three full-time staff members who support community gardening for the IRC in Charlottesville.
- To secure a New Roots plot, community members must first submit an official application. If accepted, they pay an annual fee based on the size of their plot.
- New Roots offers various gardening courses that cover topics such as garden basics, organic gardening, sustainable farming practices, and developing a small-scale agri-business.
- Due to the diversity of the local refugee and immigrant populations, translation into multiple languages is part of this educational process. Many in the community are eager to gain access to gardening plots, and priority is given to those who enroll in and attend these courses.
- However, many refugees are already experienced gardeners equipped with a wealth of knowledge about growing their own food. They often mentor others who are starting a new journey as gardeners.
- New Roots members are part of a cooperative effort which includes leadership from within. As members, they agree to certain responsibilities which include taking care of the site, attending regular meetings, drafting policies, serving on committees, and training other gardeners. Members engage in shared decision-making processes to support continued success with their community gardens. Despite cultural differences and potential language barriers, New Roots members respect each other and have forged an impressive network of over 100 participants growing fresh produce.
Shaded rain barrels to collect water, along with watering cans are important equipment for community gardeners. Photo courtesy of M. King
What makes this program successful?
The New Roots model with participatory governance puts power directly into the hands of members. Certain strategies have proven to be highly effective for thoughtful self-government, such as: 1) Utilizing skilled interpreters to support meetings and events; 2) Taking time for break-out groups during larger discussions, so individuals can articulate questions and express concerns; 3) Encouraging leadership among members through incentives and honoraria; and 4) Team building that stresses mutual appreciation and understanding in a multicultural neighborhood.
Going beyond gardening: Additional training
For those members interested in going beyond food production for their own families, New Roots also developed a Micro-Producer Academy. This effort provides additional training and technology support for those who want to build a small-scale agricultural business. These producers cultivate and sell their fresh produce directly to consumers at farmers’ markets, non-profit food distribution programs, and local restaurants. To date, several dozen community members have received this training and over 15 have pursued this path to become Micro-Producers.
What are the challenges?
Establishment and maintenance of community gardens is not an easy road, and there are numerous challenges.
- Having buy-in and leadership from a dedicated and experienced team of garden members and support staff is essential for long-term viability.
- Securing appropriate land requires funding sources, research, and possibly grant-writing, and as the program grows there is increasing need for even more space to accommodate additional people who want to participate.
- Capital is also needed to develop the infrastructure. For example, fencing is critical to keep wildlife out of garden plots, and if a water source is nearby, pumping equipment may be necessary.
- Garden sites in urban areas should be accessible to members. If walking is not an option, then public transport or ridesharing should be available to participants. Some in the New Roots program may not have their own vehicles, so some type of support for transportation might be needed.
- New Roots members hail from different countries, so they might want to grow produce that represents what they cultivated in their native lands. For example, some New Roots gardeners are growing African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum), also called “garden eggs.” Since seeds for that plant may not be readily available here, members have started a seed saving effort, marking the hardiest specimens in the gardens to gather seeds from those plants after maturity. Fortunately, there is a national network of seed-saver exchanges in the U.S., as well as a few small companies that sell specialized seeds online. Being able to grow familiar crops is important for newcomers in our community, as that enables the preservation of meaningful cultural traditions in their households. Since they are adjusting to so much that is unfamiliar, having access to foods typical of their home country can be comforting – and worth the effort!
Call for Support
Members of the local community and Piedmont Master Gardeners are welcome to volunteer their support for the New Roots Program. Several workdays are scheduled during the growing season (April – November), and hands-on assistance with site maintenance (mulching, fence repair, etc.) and gardening is always welcome. New volunteers can submit a formal application via the IRC website: Volunteer | The IRC. Or, Piedmont Master Gardeners can sign up to participate via Better Impact online. As a collective endeavor, New Roots relies on the surrounding community to pitch in and help this remarkable gardening program continue to thrive! Every bit of support can make a big difference.
Featured Photo: Â M. King
Online Resources
New Roots in Charlottesville | The IRC
Food Justice Network – Cultivate Charlottesville
Home | City of Promise Charlottesville, VA
What Is A Community Garden And How Does It Work? – Green Packs
Public Health Benefits of Community Gardens – School of Public Health
HOME | ACGA American Community Gardening Association
The Many Benefits of Community Gardens
Community Gardens | NC State Extension Handbook available from NC State Extension
How to Organize a Community Garden | NC State Extension Publications
AG-737 How to Create a Community Garden (PDF version)
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank | Nourishing Our Community