Profile: GCPC Community Garden

The Grace Covenant Community Garden, Asheville, NC is tended cooperatively by +40 member gardeners who grow vegetables primarily for food pantries and community kitchens farm style. The gardeners divide themselves into four (4) different teams to tend and harvest the garden. The garden was started 2010. First crops are planted mid-March. The garden teams tended to the health of the crops on an alternating week basis. The vegetables that are grown vary by season; in the spring the gardeners grow—broccoli, cabbage, kale, collards and many other cool weather, hardy vegetables. In the summer—squash, tomatoes, peppers, beans, eggplant and okra were grown. As fall approaches, the garden is planted again with cool weather, hardy vegetables.  This year an herb bed of annual and perennial plants has been added to the garden.

In 2010 approximately 75% of all the vegetables found their way to someone else’s table through a food pantry or community kitchen. Twice weekly teams harvest the vegetables as they mature. The fresh vegetables are boxed and bagged and delivered to the food pantries and community kitchens. The gardeners share the risk and rewards of growing fresh vegetables and along the way while bending, stooping and crawling among the rows of vegetables they do meet their neighbors and make new friends. About half of the gardeners are members of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church and the other gardeners are neighborhood residents.  Gardeners share a common agreement and usually work throughout the growing season. For more information contact Buzz Durham, hobblein@hotmail.com or 828.775.5593.

Gardener’s Agreement

·   My household/family members and I will work cooperatively with other gardeners in planning, tending and harvesting the garden produce. 

·   I will share leadership and responsibility for the myriad of duties and tasks to make the garden successful.

·   I will respect my fellow gardeners and share my knowledge, skills and abilities with my fellow gardeners.

·   I will participate in the decision processes and support team decisions.

·   I will volunteer and lead garden work 2-6 hours with my team members.

·   I will not bring dogs or other pets into the garden.

·   I will supervise any children I bring with me into the garden.

·   I will work to conserve resources and follow good gardening practices.

·   I will not introduce nor use unapproved materials or chemicals in the garden.

·   I wear protective clothing and shoes when operating equipment, and as necessary at other times, and follow good safe garden practices.

·   I willingly share in the risk and rewards of gardening and the expenses, estimated at $20 a year.