Fillable Leon County Community Garden Application Package (Leon County Board of County Commissioners)

Fill Online, Printable, Fillable, Blank Leon County Community Garden Application Package (Leon County Board of County Commissioners) Form

Use Fill to complete blank online LEON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (FL) pdf forms for free. Once completed you can sign your fillable form or send for signing. All forms are printable and downloadable.

Leon County Community Garden Application Package (Leon County Board of County Commissioners)

On average this form takes 32 minutes to complete

The Leon County Community Garden Application Package (Leon County Board of County Commissioners) form is 18 pages long and contains:

8 signatures
6 check-boxes
94 other fields

Country of origin: US
File type: PDF

U.S.A. forms for Leon County Board of County Commissioners

BROWSE LEON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (FL) FORMS

Related forms

Fill has a huge library of thousands of forms all set up to be filled in easily and signed.

Fill in your chosen form

Sign the form using our drawing tool

Send to someone else to fill in and sign.

find another form

Leon County Community

Garden Application Package

Leon County’s Community Garden Program

This application package is for citizens who wish to create gardens on County property. To be approved,

these gardens must be operated and maintained by an organized group of a minimum of eight citizens. The

food grown shall be for use by participating gardeners or distribution to non-prot entities and shall not be

sold.

Those applying for support of a garden not on County property, please complete the appropriate Stakeholder

application, both of which can be found at: www.GrowingGreen.org

Overview, Eligibility and Appropriate Sites

County community gardens shall be for use by Leon County residents. The garden should enhance the

usefulness of the property to the public and improve neighborhood vitality. Sites must be approved by the

County to ensure that they are free of land-use conicts, environmental constraints, or safety concerns. If

gardens are not properly maintained, the County has the right to revoke permission of individuals or groups

to continue gardening on the County property.

Steps in Garden Application Process

1. Submit the completed application to Tessa Schreiner, including pledges from initial gardeners.

2. Upon receipt of the application package, the County will coordinate review with affected internal

departments regarding site suitability and other considerations as stated in the application.

3. A site visit is mandatory prior to application approval. An agent from Leon County Cooperative

Extension will be in contact to schedule the site visit, which should be completed within 10 business days

of the submission of a completed application.

4. Within 30 days, the applicant will be notied of the status of the application.

5. If approved, Garden Organizers are strongly encouraged to hold an

orientation session for gardeners. A consultation with Cooperative

Extension is available upon request.

6. Construction on the garden will only begin upon approval by Ofce of

Sustainability in consultation with County departments.

7. Update the County on garden progress by February 1 of each year. A template is

provided on the website, but creativity is encouraged.

If you have questions about the preparation of your application,

please contact Tessa Schreiner at the above information.

Once application package is complete, send to:

Tessa Schreiner, Leon County Sustainability & Recycling Manager

E-mail: SchreinerT@leoncounty.gov

Phone: 850.606.1827

Fax: 850.606.1801

Mail: Ofce of Resource Stewardship

7550 Apalachee Parkway

Tallahassee, FL 32311

ITEM 1. BASIC APPLICATION INFORMATION

1. Application Date: ____________________________________

2. Proposed address of garden site (If unavailable, please provide nearest intersecting roads

and/or parcel number.)

____________________________________________________

3. Name of proposed community garden. (If located on an already named County facility, for the purpose

of simplicity, the garden name should be the same.)

__________________________________________

4. Contact Information for Primary Garden Organizer

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________

Phone number(s): ___________________________________________________

E-mail: ____________________________________________________________

5. Contact Information for Assistant Garden Organizer

Name: ____________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________

Phone number(s): ___________________________________________________

E-mail: ____________________________________________________________

ITEM 2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Benets of community gardens include:

• Improve health and nutrition for those without easy access to fresh vegetables or space to garden

• Increase sense of community by having neighbors working side-by-side

• Promote techniques by fellow gardeners and educate community on the process of growing food

• Utilize public space in a productive and aesthetically appealing fashion

• Provide opportunities for recreation and intergenerational interaction

• Raise property values of surrounding neighborhood

Gardens may enable demonstrations about healthy cooking and nutrition. Overall, establishment of a

community garden on a County site should enhance the usefulness of the property to the public and

improve neighborhood vitality.

County Garden Application

In the space provided, or in an attached document, please answer the follow questions to

support your request to establish the garden.

1. What is the present land use at the proposed site, and how would the garden enhance

the usefulness of the property to the public or improve the neighborhood?

____________________________________________________________________________________

2. What is the purpose of the proposed garden?

____________________________________________________________________________________

County Garden Application

ITEM 3. SITE INFORMATION

Any County garden site proposed for a community garden must be free of land-use

conicts, environmental or safety concerns. Any unused land has the potential to be

turned into a community support garden, but the following characteristics make the

journey to success easier:

• Community support

• Proximity to neighborhoods with apartments and townhomes where space for personal gardens is

lacking

• Located at or near existing community centers, libraries or other facilities that already serve as

community gathering spaces

• Existing water sources in place

• Land that gets at least six hours of sunlight

The County may limit the establishment of a community garden due to the existence of environmentally

sensitive areas on the property. For garden sites of a half-acre or larger, the site must be evaluated by

Leon County Development Support and Environmental Management to determine whether an environ-

mental permit is required.

1. Describe reasons this site is a good location for a garden.

____________________________________________________________________________________

2. Provide a sketch of the proposed garden. Indicate the dimensions proposed for the garden site and

how it is located relative to roads, fences, buildings or other structures, water spigots, trees, and other

prominent features. Include a north arrow to indicate direction. Also indicate where

gardeners will park vehicles.

County Garden Application

ITEM 4. GARDEN OPERATION PLAN

Before establishment, the plan for a garden should be shared with the local

Neighborhood Association, if one exists. Gardeners are encouraged to contact

nearby residents in person to inform them of the plan and invite their participation.

The County will assist in publicizing the garden site via signage or other outreach as needed.

This section asks you to describe in general terms your plan for garden establishment, operation, and

maintenance. Prior to construction, agents from Cooperative Extension will come out to complete a

site visit for your proposed garden and will cover these topics in more detail.

Please answer the following questions.

1. What is the expected number of initial plot holders? _________

2. What is your plan for garden construction?

____________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is your plan for outreach to adjacent property owners and neighbors?

____________________________________________________________________________________

4. Do you plan to conduct an orientation session? yes no

5. How will common areas shared by all the gardeners, such as garden paths, be maintained?

____________________________________________________________________________________

County Garden Application

6. Will you have regular work days? yes no

7. Will there be a deadline set for planting at the start of the season and for clean-up

at the end of the season?

____________________________________________________________________________________

8. What is the planned use of produce not consumed by plot holders?

____________________________________________________________________________________

9. Do you plan to have educational or outreach events? yes no

ITEM 5. LISTING OF OTHER SUPPORT

1. Describe the support (in-kind and nancial) you are receiving or expect to receive from other

sources. (Note: other sources of funding are not required to receive the mini-grant.)

____________________________________________________________________________________

2. What will happen with your garden project if this funding is not received? How will the garden be

monetarily sustained over time?

____________________________________________________________________________________

County Garden Application

ITEM 6. REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

Assistance may be available for County gardens whose applications are approved by

the County Administrator or his designee in the form of the following resources:

Material Support

• Soil amendments (coarse and ne mulch), available from Solid Waste

• Assistance from Public Works for installation of fencing or water supply/plumbing

Please describe your needs and explain why you are seeking County support. Be specic about what your

requests are for each area above.

____________________________________________________________________________________

Grant Funds

County garden groups may apply for a grant not to exceed $500. Grant funds are awarded on a rst-

come, rst-served basis and are therefore contingent upon the availability of funds. All receipts must be

kept and made available to the County upon request.

The following are allowable expenditures with grant funds:

• Enhancement of water supply

• Fencing materials

• Lumber and other materials for construction of garden beds (green, pressure-treated wood,

concrete blocks, or other non-toxic materials)

• Purchase of soils amendments including topsoil or compost

Grant funds shall not be used for construction of accessory structures such as benches, tables and

storage sheds.

Itemized Budget

Please list materials needed and cost.

County Garden Application

Materials Needed Cost

Total Cost: $

ITEM 7. GARDEN RULES AND OPERATING PROCEDURES

Community garden groups are encouraged to independently develop bylaws and

guidelines, and are permitted to collect garden club dues. Gardens are intended to

be open to any Leon County citizen who expresses interest in joining. If the garden

is full, names of people wishing to join should be taken and new members added

on a rst-come, rst-serve basis. Resources for help with forming garden clubs are

included at the end of this application.

Community Gardens on Leon County property must abide by the rules and practices outlined below.

1. Gardening Best Practices

Gardens supported by the County should follow sustainable gardening practices. Following these

practices avoids overuse of water, storm-water runoff, and pollution from agricultural chemicals.

• Organic soil amendments are the preferred source of plant nutrients.

• Any application of manufactured fertilizer shall be consistent with label instructions.

• Use of inorganic weed killers (herbicides) is prohibited on garden plots, weeding should be

performed to keep plots and walkways tidy.

• Organic methods are the preferred manner of dealing with pests and diseases, but any use

of pesticides shall be consistent with label instructions and must follow best practices as put

forth by Leon County Cooperative Extension (http://leon.ifas.u.edu/).

• Composting of on-site garden waste is strongly encouraged. Compost must be contained in

a functional and aesthetically pleasing manner, such as a plastic bin, tumbler, or framed

wooden structure.

• Gardeners shall conserve water. Water should not be left running in a gardener’s absence.

• The garden layout should prevent erosion and storm-water runoff.

2. Garden Maintenance

Individuals and/or groups seeking use of County property for gardens shall agree to maintain a tidy

garden.

• The garden should be kept free of invasive/exotic plants or vines that spread beyond the

garden area.

• Garden paths should be mulched or otherwise be kept free of weeds.

• Plots should be kept tidy and the soil stabilized at all times, including after harvest.

• Tools, hoses and other gardening equipment should be removed from the site when not in

use.

• Gardeners consent to weed or otherwise clean up garden plots upon request from the

County.

3. Prohibited Activities

Activities that are not permitted in County community gardens include but are not limited to:

• Pets

• Unsupervised children

• Playing of loud, amplied music

• Smoking

• Littering or dumping

• Alcohol consumption or illegal drug use

County Garden Application

• Sale of garden produce

• Sampling of produce from other gardeners’ plots without express

permission

• Application of agricultural chemicals including fertilizer, pesticides,

insecticides, or herbicides in a manner that is not consistent with label

instructions or with Florida law

• Installation of permanent structures at garden sites

• Expansion of the garden without explicit County approval

• Illegal activities

4. Annual Report and Listing on County Websites

The garden group shall submit a brief annual update each year by February 1st that reports the

number of participants, how the produce was used and any special educational or other activities held

at the garden. Photos are invited. A sample one page form is available on the website, but creativity is

encouraged. The garden pictures or updates may be listed on County websites.

5. Termination of the Garden

• The County reserves the right to revoke permission to individuals or groups to garden on a

County site based on observations of poor maintenance or the inability of the garden group to

meet the standards set forth here.

• If the group decides to no longer maintain the garden, the primary contact should immediately

notify the County. The gardeners will be responsible for restoring the garden to a vegetated

and stabilized condition with non-invasive, non-exotic plants.

• The County reserves the right to end use of the property for gardening due to unforeseen

reasons. In such a case, the County would provide notice as far in advance as possible and

would attempt to suggest an alternative location.

• If the number of gardeners/plot holders falls below specied threshold for a period of 30 days,

the County has the right to revoke the usage of the land.

ITEM 8. GARDEN LEADERSHIP

Although each member of a community garden is responsible for the construction and proper main-

tenance of the garden, the leadership of Garden Organizers is also necessary. In addition to overall

coordination of garden activities, the Organizers serve as the point of contact between the County

and the gardener, with the Garden Organizer serving as the primary contact and the Assistant Garden

Organizer as an alternate to ll in when the Garden Organizer is not available.

The Garden Organizer and Assistant Garden Organizer are in charge of the following duties (this

does not preclude delegating some duties to other garden club members):

• Acting as a liaison to the County and to the public

• Informing all participating gardeners of the Garden Rules and Operating Procedures as

outlined in Item 7

• Abiding by and enforcing the Garden Rules and Operating Procedures

• Ensuring that all gardeners have signed the gardener pledge and Special Use Permit

• Assigning garden plots as needed

• Maintaining up-to-date roster of participating gardeners and a waiting list for interested

gardeners

County Garden Application

• Submitting a revised roster of garden members to the County within two

weeks of a change in participants

• Issuing warnings to gardeners whose plots are neglected

• Coordinating work days for maintaining garden as a whole

• Supervising the completion of the brief annual report to the County

• In the event the group wishes to terminate this agreement: notifying the

County Garden Program Administrator, Tessa Schreiner.

• In the event either of you can no longer fulll your role: nding a replacement, notifying the

County Garden Program Administrator, Tessa Schreiner, of the change in leadership.

Pledge: By signing below, I agree to fulll my duties as Garden Organizer or Assistant Garden

Organizer as outline above. In addition, I pledge to participate in the garden as a plot holder, which

entails taking responsibility for a garden plot within the garden; using my plot only for personal,

non-commercial purposes; and keeping my plot and the garden as a whole safe, usable and

attractive.

1) Primary Garden Organizer

Printed Name:_____________________________________________________

Signature ________________________________________________________

2) Assistant Garden Organizer

Printed Name:_____________________________________________________

Signature ________________________________________________________

ITEM 9. ROSTER OF GARDENERS AND PLEDGES OF COMMITMENT

A successful garden requires a commitment from a group of gardeners to maintain the garden over

an extended period of time. A minimum two-year commitment from a total of at least eight (8)

gardeners is strongly suggested, but applications will be considered if justication for the number of

starting plot holders is deemed sufcient by the County.

Please provide contact information and signatures of those pledging a two-year commitment. In

addition to the organizer and assistant organizer, the participation of at least six more gardeners is

suggested.

County Garden Application

Pledge: By signing below, I formally pledge to be an active participant in the

creation and maintenance of the community garden for which this application is

being made for the next two years. My participation entails taking responsibility for a

garden plot within the garden; abiding by the County’s Garden Rules and Operating

Procedures as have been outlined by the Garden Organizers; using my plot only for

personal, non-commercial purposes; and keeping my plot and the garden as a whole safe, usable,

and attractive. I agree to complete the portion of garden upkeep decided as appropriate by the group

for each plot holder in the event I wish to discontinue gardening. I agree to promptly notify the

Garden Organizers in the event I wish to discontinue gardening. It is also my duty to provide the

Garden Organizers with updated information if my contact information changes.

1. Printed Name: _________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________

Phone number(s): ________________________________________________

E-mail: _________________________________________________________

Signature _______________________________________________________

2. Printed Name: _________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________

Phone number(s): ________________________________________________

E-mail: _________________________________________________________

Signature _______________________________________________________

3. Printed Name: _________________________________________________

Address: _______________________________________________________

Phone number(s): ________________________________________________

E-mail: _________________________________________________________

Signature _______________________________________________________

County Garden Application

4. Printed Name: ___________________________________

Address: _________________________________________

Phone number(s): __________________________________

E-mail: ___________________________________________

Signature _________________________________________

5. Printed Name: ___________________________________

Address: _________________________________________

Phone number(s): __________________________________

E-mail: ___________________________________________

Signature _________________________________________

6. Printed Name: ___________________________________

Address: _________________________________________

Phone number(s): __________________________________

E-mail: ___________________________________________

Signature _________________________________________

Information for additional gardeners can be included below or on an attached sheet.

ITEM 10. PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT AND WAIVER OF LIABLITY

Special Restricted-Use Permits will be provided with your approved application. A completed permit

for each participant must be on le with the County before garden construction can start. Gardeners

who start after the initial garden formation must also sign a permit before taking part in garden

activities.

County Garden Application

Once application package is complete, send to:

Tessa Schreiner, Leon County Sustainability & Recycling Manager

E-mail: SchreinerT@leoncounty.gov

Phone: 850.606.1827

Fax: 850.606.1801

Mail: Ofce of Resource Stewardship

7550 Apalachee Parkway

Tallahassee, FL 32311

Note: Starting one calendar year after recieiving initial support from Leon County, you may be eligible for additional support, depending

on the availability of funds. Applications from gardens who have previously recieved grant funds will be accepted after August 1 of any

given year.

County Garden Application

RESOURCES

Fort Braden Community Garden Website

http://www.fortbradengarden.org/

Tallahassee Food Network

http://tallahasseefoodnetwork.blogspot.com/

American Community Gardening Association

http://www.communitygarden.org/learn/starting-a-community-garden.php

Thank you for your application.

You will be contacted upon receipt of all materials.

Email Form

Print Form

Download
Save PDF to desktop

Email
Email completed PDF

Send for Signing
Email for others to sign

Print
Print document

NAME

Leon County Community Garden Application Package (Leon County Board of County Commissioners)

View Audit Log
Print With Audit Log
Duplicate Document

Fillable Leon County Community Garden Application Package (Leon County Board of County Commissioners)

Fill Online, Printable, Fillable, Blank Leon County Community Garden Application Package (Leon County Board of County Commissioners) Form

Related forms

First 20 documents completely FREE!