4. SR 06-06-2011
~fC2.r1C~C~u.~ ~~ 9
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Open Mike
C~tv °' MEMORANDUM
~~~ ~~
Rimier
TO: City Council
DATE: June 6, 201 I
SUBJECT: Community Garden in Orono Park
Isabel Smith, a local resident, stopped by City Hall today and noted she is planning on
coming to the Open Mike portion of the meeting to request the use of community garden
space. As you may recall back in 2009, the University of MN Extension/4-H received a
grant in-order to develop a community garden in Sherburne County. Council approved the
request and Orono Park was chosen as the community garden site.
The Extension offices have discontinued offering this service because funding is no longer
available. Ms. Smith is requesting Council approval to continue with the community garden
program. She provided some of the attached documents she obtained from the U of M
Extension.
Most of the work for this program was done by the U of M. They took care of tilling,
contracts, releases, publicity, money, and general oversight. The city never received or
collected any funds for this program. If the city took on this project, it would need to
determine whether a fee should be collected, how much, how finances are handled, who
does the tilling, how contracts are handled, attorney review of the contracts, publicizing the
garden, general oversight, and how volunteers could be utilized.
The city donated compost at the beginning of the year, ERMU donated water, and
containers for water storage were donated. There may have been 2-3 400 gallon containers
fox water storage.
With the current allocation of resources, it would be very difficult for staff to take this
project on at this time and get the garden up and running during the 2011 growing season.
The Council could consider evaluating the Community Garden program to plan into the
2012 season.
N:\Public Bodies\Ciry Council\Council RCA\Community Garden.doc
community garden info
community garden info
Sarah Chur [bergs]@umn.edu]
Sent:Friday, June 03, 20113:22 PM
To: M.IOsorio-Smith
Hi, Isabel-
https: //mai I . e 1 kri ver. k 12.mn. us/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM. Note&i d=Rg.,~.
It was nice talking with you earlier today. As you independently pursue coordinating a community
garden with the City of Elk River, it might help you to have a clearer idea of the scope of the project
and also to have some verbage for the gardening contract as a starting point. The City of Elk River
ultimately would need to approve the contract and any other documents, but I am sharing pieces of what
was in last year's contract.
There is a considerable amount of coordination that would need to be done in terms of preparing the
garden, administering the plots and money, and just generally overseeing the project. Unfortunately, as
you know, Extension does not have the resources to be involved in the project this year. I hope the info
below is helpful to you, and I hope things turn out well. Good luck!
Sarah
Here are some items that will need to be coordinated by someone:
Garden disked
10 x 10 plots measured and staked (plots clearly marked)
Map and number plots
Publicity
Participants sign a contract, receive a plot
Money taken/processed
Availability to take money/assign plots and answer questions
Oversight of garden: are people maintaining their plots?
Decide whether to provide water - how to provide water
End of year garden clean-up
In the past:
Renters are responsible for planting, weeding, and harvesting their own plot
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community garden info
• Individual plots are available for rent
served basis
There has been a $15 non-refundable participation fee
Garden Plot Application Sample Info
2011 Season: [Dates?]
Applicant Information
Last Name
Street Address
City
Zip Code
Email
Home phone
Work phone
Plots will be available beginning . Reserving a garden plot can be done by mail or in
person by sending or delivering the completed Garden Plot Application and Use Agreement, along with
the participation fee, to ???
Enclose [amount you will charge for a participation fee???]
Make checks payable to: [??? Who will handle the finances???]
Date received
Processed by:
Plot allotted: ~s~ Yes lF! No Plot # Assigned:
2011 Community Garden Use Agreement
I, ("Gardener") wish to participate in the Community Garden program in [the City of Elk River???]. In
consideration of being allowed to participate in any way in the Community Garden program, Gardener
acknowledges, appreciates, and agrees that:
1. [who will coordinate this???] will:
[need to set dates] on a first come first
First Name
https: //mai l.el kri ver. k 12.mn.us/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&i d=Rg...
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community garden info
a. Prepare (disk) the garden plot for planting.
https: //mai 1. a Ikri ver.k 12.mn.us/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&i d=Rg.,~.
b. Stake out each ] 0' x 10" plot and identify all plots by number.
2. Gardener will:
a. Comply with Community Garden Rules and Regulations, and all applicable federal state and local laws.
b. Supply plantings, seeds, fertilizer, and tools for proper preparation, growing and cultivation of crops.
c. Keep garden pests (weeds, insects, and diseases) under control using only approved fertilizers and pesticides.
d. Be a good neighbor and use only assigned plot.
e. Park in designated parking area only.
f. Harvest plants and produce from assigned plot only.
3. Gardener's Liability. Gardener assumes all liability for use of the Community Garden and agrees to
compensate [the City of Elk River??] for injury or damage to person or property arising from or in
connection with Gardener's use of the Community Garden. Gardener further agrees to release, defend,
indemnify, and hold harmless [the City of Elk River??] from and against all actions, claims,
damages, or demands which may be brought or made against [the City of Elk River??] as a result
of Gardener's use of the Community Garden or in the exercise of the rights and privileges granted to
Gardener in this Agreement.
4. Limitation of Liability. _ [THE CITY OF ELK RIVER??] ASSUMES NO LIABILITY WHATSOEVER
FOR ACCIDENTS OR INJURY TO THE COMMUNITY GARDENER OR OTHERS, OR FOR VANDALISM
TO OR THEFT OR LOSS OF CROPS, EITHER ON OR ADJACENT TO THE PLOT AND THE
COMMUNITY GARDEN.
5. Termination. _ [The City of Elk River???] may immediately terminate this Ageement, and Gardener will
promptly remove all plantings, in the event Gardener violates any term of this Agreement, the Community Garden
Rules and Regulations, or a federal, state and local law or ordinance in Gardener's use of the Community Garden.
I AGREE TO ABIDE BY THESE CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RULES
AND REGULATIONS SET FORTH FOR COMMUNITY GARDENERS.
Applicant's Signature Date
Applicant Name:
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community garden info
Number of plots requested:
~~ 1 (one) '~^ 2 (two)
hops: //mai 1. el kri ver. k 12. mn.us/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM.Note&i d=Rg...
Are you interested in additional plots if they become available?
~a' Yes '^ No How many:
What are you planning to grow (i.e. tall plants such as corn or vine crops)?:
If you want to be located next to someone else we'll try to accommodate you.
Please list who:
Do you have any physical limitations or health concerns we should be aware of when assigning plot locations?
Plot location - if you have a preference, please mark your 1 sr through 5`h choices for plot assignments on the map
on the other side of this page.
Office Use Only:
'~a Cash ~~' Check # Amount Paid: $
Number of Plots: Signed Contract: ~L Yes ~~ No
Community Garden
Rules and Regulations
1. Gardeners may garden at their own convenience between 5:00 am and 9:00 pm, seven days a week. No gardening maybe
conducted before 5:00 am or after 9:00 pm.
2. The Community Garden is intended for personal use only. Gardening for commercial purposes is not allowed.
3. Pets are not allowed in the Community Garden area.
4. Children in the Community Garden area must be supervised at all times.
5. Gardeners are expected to keep their weeds to a minimum, All weeds, cuttings, and other debris must be removed with each
visit.
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community garden info https://mail.elkriver.kl2.mn.us/owa/?ae=Item&t=IPM:Note&id=Rg.,
6. Absolutely no dumping of landfill or debris into garden plots is allowed.
7. Garden plots may not be used to grow illegal plants or trees of any kind.
8. Crops, plants, vines, and vegetation must be contained within the boundaries of one's garden plot. Overlapping onto
adjacent pathways or garden plots is prohibited. If your vines exceed your plot boundaries, they will be moved or removed.
9. Gardeners must till and weed their plots by [need to set dates], have something planted by [need dates], and
then maintain plantings during the entire growing season. If Gardeners do not plant or maintain their plots within 7 days after
receiving notice to do so, the plot will be tilled and reassigned. [who will notify people of this???]
10. Gardeners must notify the [who is coordinating???] in advance if they must abandon their plot. Abandoned
or un-rented plots will be made available to garden participants after [set date] on a first-come, first-serve basis.
11. Only approved fertilizers or insecticides may be used. Herbicides are prohibited.
12. Plots may be fenced with fencing no more than four feet in height to protect crops from predators.
13. Portable equipment and gardening tools and materials must be removed after each use.
14. No automobiles, trucks or trailers are permitted on a plot or within the Community Garden.
15. Permanent structures, other than trellis or cages for vines, melons, and tomatoes are not allowed in the Community Garden.
16. All crops must be harvested and all materials removed by [set date -last year was October 31 ], 2011. This
includes sunflower or corn stalks greater than 1" in diameter. Remember to remove all root balls, too.
17. [The City of Elk River???] has the right of full access to all garden plots at any time to ensure compliance with Community
Garden Use Agreement, these Rules and Regulations and applicable laws and ordinance and, if necessary, may interrupt
activities or terminate a Gardener Use Agreement for the safety and welfare of Gardeners, the public and the Community
Garden.
18. Two plot maximum per family. More plots maybe available after [need to decide dates]. You may put your
name on an interest list for additional plots at the [where will people register/pay/get questions answered?] when
registering.
Sarah J. Chur
Regional Director
University of Minnesota Extension
3400 1st Street North, Suite 400
St. Cloud, MN 56303
Office: (320, 20
Cell: (612) 360-4510
Making a difference by connecti~rg community needs and University resources to address critical
issues in Minnesota.
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Registration Information
Applicants desiring a garden plot may pre-register by downloading a registration form at:
www extension umn.edu/county/Sherbume/, print the document `Sherbume County Community Gardens'.
Retum the form with paymen# to:
Sherbume County Extension Office
Attn: Community Garden
Sherburne County Government Center
13880 Highway 10 W
13880 Business Center Drive
Elk River, MN 55330-4601
Please allow enough time for the U.S. mail delivery prior to April 1S`. Beginning April 13t'' 8:00 a.m., applicants desiring a
garden plot may register on afirst-come, first-served basis as plots are available. To apply, please contact the Extension
office (see above address and location) or call 763-241-2720. if no plot is available, you may be placed on a waiting list.
Fees
When gardeners receive a plot, they will receive a copy of the garden guidelines and will be asked to sign an agreement
to abide by these guidelines. An annual deposit of $20.00 will be collected. At the end of the season when you have
cleared and cleaned your plot of vegetative matter, this deposit will be returned.
In addition, gardeners will be charged an annual rental fee of $10.00 for the small plot, $15,00 for the large plot. The fee
is non-refundable and covers the period from May 1~` to end of Sept. 30~'each year.
Shared/Common Areas
All gardeners are responsible for keeping common areas neat and weed-free.
Composting
We encourage use of compost to keep soil fertile. The city of Elk River has free compost (as available) for use by all
registered gardeners. Transportation of compost is the responsibility of the registered gardener.
Tools
Gardeners will provide their own tools.
Abandoned/Neglected Plots
if a plot is not planted within a reasonable time or left unplanted for three or more weeks during the growing season, or if
it appears abandoned or neglected, or if invasive weeds are allowed to run rampant, the gardener will be asked to take
immediate action to clean up the problem or the plot will be clean and the gardener will lose his/her deposit and their
plat(s). if an emergency contributes to such a problem, please let your fellow gardeners know so the group can help you.
Arts and Decoration
A broad range of garden art (including trellises and whimsical items} is welcome within garden plots, but please avoid
bring junk or trash into the garden. When in doubt, check with your fellow gardener.
Children
Kids are welcome in the Community Garden. For safety's sake and the comfort of fellow gardeners, please keep a careful
eye on your children.
Pets
If you take your pet to the garden, please keep them on a leash. Clean up after pets -remember dog and/ or cat
droppings are not suitable for composting. Please bag them and take them home.
Vandalism and Theft
Vandalism is a common fear among community gardeners. If you notice vandalism or theft, please notify the Sherbume
County Sheriffs Department at 763-241-2500 to report the crime. For your own safety, do not confront the culprit yourself.
Watering
For our first year of Community Gardens, you are responsible to provide your own water. Transporting water can be
accomplished by filling recycled plastic milk jugs, or other containers with lids, with water. A more convenient water
source may be available in the future.
Sherburne County Extension Off:ee -February 2009
Sherburne County Community Gardens
2009 Registration FormlWaiver Farm
Name:
Address:
Home Phone:
Email:
Number of Ptots which you are registering for:
Small Plot ($10.00 each)
Large Plot ($15.00 each)
Plot #
Plot #
WAIVER
Aft. Phone:
I, ,hereby release Sherburne County and the City of Elk
River, their elected officials, appointed officials and employees, and members of the
organizational committee of the Sherburne County Community Garden Project from any and al!
claims, demands, causes of action from any and all damages, including 6ufi not limited to
property damage and bodily injury incurred by me and members of my family resulting from any
and all activities associated with my participation in the Sherburne County Community Garden
Project.
(DATE) {SIGNATURE)
Sherburne County Extension Office -February 20!19