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2013 Community Garden Timeline

The Cherokee County Extension office will be in charge of having manure spread and the garden plowed, oversee tilling and laying plastic mulch as weather permits in the spring. The Master Gardeners will assist garden participants with information on gardening techniques and making sure each participant is planting, harvesting and keeping row middles weeded through out the growing season. If any plot is neglected, the Master Gardeners will coordinate with local charities or the Sheriff’s department to harvest any un-attended plots and donate to food banks. All participants will be required to clean their plots at seasons end.

The above diagrams and drawings are from past Marble gardens layouts. New diagrams and plot layout will be determined by the number of participants at the time of registration. The layout of the MFC garden will be completely different from last year because of a new plot location there.

January- Finish cleaning up garden and prepare for spreading manure and plowing

February-MarchAdvertise and promote garden and start taking applications.

April- Application deadline 5th, garden meeting 19th to cover rules and expectations, beginning garden classes 25th. Complete tillage and lay plastic mulch and drip irrigation, assign garden plots, participant spring planting begins. Begin greenhouse construction and purchase trailer when grant funds are received.

May- Planting continues.

June-July- Garden maintenance and begin harvesting.

August- Garden Harvest Celebration. Start fall plant seedlings in greenhouses.

September- Fall planting and continued harvest.

October- Harvest remaining produce and fall crops.

November- Garden cleanup.

December- Finish cleanup and report total amount of produce donated.

The following document is the garden application for 2012. The Master Gardeners and Cherokee County Extension is working on the new applications to make minor changes.

Cherokee County’s “Our Garden”

Community Garden Participant Application

NC Cooperative Extension

North Carolina Cooperative Extension partners with communities to deliver education and technology that enrich the lives, land and economy of North Carolinians. Here in Cherokee county, Extension professionals assist people who want to improve their personal life, their community and the environment.

Section 1: Project Description and Participant Info

About the Project:

"Our Garden, Our Food" is a community garden project facilitated by the Cherokee County Center of the NC Cooperative Extension. The project is intended to provide an opportunity for interested individuals of all experience and socio-economic levels with the opportunity to share in the process and product of growing a garden together. Participants are expected to donate 10% of their total crop yield to a local charity. An additional component of the project will teach area youth, and consequently their families, the concepts environmental stewardship, basic gardening, and good nutrition.

Application Instructions:

Please fill out the form below completely. You may print a copy of this application, fill it out, and return it in person or mail it to our office at the following address: NC Cooperative Extension, Cherokee County Center 39 Peachtree St., Suite 103 Murphy, NC 28906. All applications must be received by Monday March 12, 2012 at 5pm whether submitted electronically or by mail, or in person. Space is limited, so be sure to apply early! There is a mandatory garden meeting on Tuesday March 13, 5:30pm and again on Wednesday March 13, 9:00am at the Community Garden. You do not have to attend both, your preference.

Participation Fee:

A participation fee of $35 is required in order for you application to be processed. There is also a $20 refundable deposit for garden clean up. Please make your $55 check payable to: Cherokee County 4-H. If selected to participate, the application fee is non-refundable.

1. Please complete the section below

First Name: ______Last Name: ______

Address: ______City: ______

State: ______Zip code: ______

Email: ______Phone: ______

2. Which of the following best describes your interest in Community Gardening? (You may choose up to 3 responses; please rank them in order of importance to you by placing a 1, 2, or 3 beside your selected responses).

___Food Supply ___Money Savings ___Herbal Gardening

___Food Preservation ___Supply Safety ___Food Safety

___Variety selection ___Healthy Lifestyle ___Hobby
___Learn Gardening Techniques___No suitable space for home garden

3. After participating in the upcoming growing season, would you be willing to start a Community Garden in your community/county?

Yes

No

4. For purposes of coordinating instruction and work sessions, please specify your most available date(s) and time(s). Check as many as apply:

M / T / W / Th / F / Sat
AM
PM
N/A

5. (Optional) Please tell us a bit about yourself. Where you're from, how you heard about the "Our Garden..." project, or you may wish to include your involvement (or lack thereof) with gardening and community projects. You may attach additional sheets or respond in the space below.
______

Please note:We plan to utilize Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which is a process that requires the use of chemical crop protection products as necessary. IPM programs use current, comprehensive information on the life cycles of pests and their interaction with the environment. This information, in combination with available pest control methods, is used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment.

Please read and complete the additional attached sections of the application. Return Application and Garden Use Agreement by Monday March 12, 2012 at 5pm.

Mail to:Cherokee County Community Garden

Cherokee County Cooperative Extension

39 Peachtree St. Suite 103
Murphy, NC 28906

Questions: 828-837-2210

Thank you for your interest in NC Cooperative Extension programming!

Cherokee County Community Garden Use Agreement (PLEASE PRINT):

Name ______Phone______

Address______

City Zip Code

E-mail address______

  1. How many years of gardening experience do you have? ______
  2. Who will be gardening in your plot? List names, for security reasons.______

______

CHEROKEE COUNTY COMMUNITY GARDEN USE AGREEMENT

  1. This agreement is between Cherokee County and ______(your name), for the 2011 season, March 12, 2012 – November 30, 2012.
  2. The purpose of this agreement is to provide garden plots for citizens in Cherokee County. The participation fee for a season will be $35.00 nonrefundable before the deadline of March 12th. In addition, a $20.00 clean up fee will be charged and refunded if plot is clean at the end of the growing season.
  3. There will be a tool shed containing a limited number of tools that will be available to participants on specific days. Each participant may want to have a few of their own tools and provide their own seed and transplants. (Donations are being solicited) Fertilizer will also need to be provided by each participant.
  4. Each garden plot holder must contribute 10% of his produce to the Community Garden produce charity (Cherokee County Cooperative Extension will provide a list of agencies that we will be donating the produce to.)
  5. Gardeners must harvest their produce in a timely manner. If ripe produce continues to go unharvested, we will assume you have abandoned you plot. At that time, your plot will be plowed up/destroyed or harvested by Master Gardeners or some other charity group.
  6. No plot can be gardened until payment of fees and a signed agreement is received and approved. No exceptions.
  7. Each gardener agrees to use the plot and tools at his own risk and agrees to hold Cherokee County harmless from any injury and damage. Gardeners under 16 years of age are permitted only with constant adult supervision. Gardeners 16 – 18 years of age must be on the list of plot names and have supervision to use the power tools. Proper shoes and safety equipment are required. NO FLIP FLOPS.
  8. This agreement may be revoked by Cherokee County at any time.

I have read and understand the application and garden use agreement and accept these rules as stated above and in the garden guideline document for the participation in the Cherokee County Community Garden.

Signed: ______Date: ______

Return Application and Garden Use Agreement by February 26th, 2011.

Mail to:Cherokee County Community GardenMake checks payable to: Cherokee County 4-H

Cherokee County Cooperative Extension

39 Peachtree St. Suite 103

Murphy, NC 28906

CHEROKEE COUNTY COMMUNITY GARDEN

GUIDELINES AND RULES

  • I will show progress of planting by May 1, or contact the Cherokee County Cooperative Extension with a valid reason.
  • I will maintain my plot after May 1 and throughout the growing season. Failure to do so will result in a warning letter and/or phone call. If the situation is not corrected within two weeks of the postmark date, the plot will be reassigned or destroyed with no refund of money.
  • I will contact the Cherokee County Cooperative Extension if I am unable to tend my plot at any time.
  • I will show progress of planting within 10 days of notification, if I have been on the waiting list and subsequently assigned a plot after May 1.
  • I understand that all produce and flowers from my garden are for family use and donations only, and not to be sold.
  • I will only grow legal, non-poisonous, and non-aggressive plants.
  • I will donate 10% of my produce to the Community Garden Charity (Cherokee County Cooperative Extension will provide a list of agencies that will accept donations.)
  • I will not build any permanent structure in my bed. If I have a trellis, I will keep it within the confines of my bed.
  • I will comply fully with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding the use of pesticides and chemicals.
  • I will conserve water!! I will turn off all faucets after watering.
  • I will maintain a neat plot, keeping the surrounding area, as well, free from overgrown weeds, insect pests, and diseases. I agree to maintain paths betweenrows by mulching, weeding, or mowing to keep them clear and passable.
  • I will harvest all produce and flowers when mature, and remove all plants when they have ceased to bear. I will arrange to have someone pick my produce while on vacation, and notify the Cherokee County Cooperative Extension as to who that will be.
  • I understand that if ripe produce goes unharvested, it will be collected by volunteers and donated to charity or destroyed.
  • I will deposit all litter into trash barrels and vegetative matter into designated compost piles.
  • I will be considerate of my neighbors by not planting sprawling or tall crops that might interfere or shade other plots.
  • I will harvest only from my assigned plot unless given permission by others.
  • 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 wear protective clothing and shoes when operating equipment, and as necessary at other times.
  • I will check the bulletin board at the garden each week for important messages.
  • I will record amount of harvested produce in a journal provided by Extension.
  • I will complete and return the end of season questionnaire and journal by November 30th.

Application approved by Cherokee County Cooperative Extension ______

Date______