Documentation
Proper planning and communication at the beginning of the project is critical for success. There are enough obstacles along the journey without having to go back to the start to redefine objectives. For example, setting out to build a community garden, we had to define what kind of community garden it would be, for example: a Pea Patch model, where beds would be rented and the harvest kept by the gardener; a one harvest for all model where everyone donates their labor and the produce is distributed to others; or a combination, such as a pea patch with a row dedicated to needful persons. The model we would choose, would need to align with the project objectives and expectations.
We started by defining the opportunity, outlining goals, objectives, risks and of course costs. In looking at the overall project, if our goal was to feed needful persons of our community, was building a community garden the most timely and cost effective method to achieve this goal? Really it isn't - so we needed to define and document the primary purposes of the garden. In our case community outreach engaging various elements of the community to work together for the benefit of others became the focus of our project One of the results of this community effort was the production of organic produce to be distributed to needful persons of our community. Another garden project in our city has a focus on education and special needs children. Whatever is chosen, everyone should understand the risks and agree to the objectives before beginning.
Besides trying to figure out how we were going to pay for the garden, who was going to build it, etc. we first defined who would receive the bounties of the garden. The target groups we chose to receive the produce were:
We decided that we wanted an all for one harvest, one harvest for all model where the food is donated to the community. Our design was for a 10,000 sq. ft. garden, with an initial budget of $30,000, excluding the cost of the land, water and electric which was donated by the church.
We started by defining the opportunity, outlining goals, objectives, risks and of course costs. In looking at the overall project, if our goal was to feed needful persons of our community, was building a community garden the most timely and cost effective method to achieve this goal? Really it isn't - so we needed to define and document the primary purposes of the garden. In our case community outreach engaging various elements of the community to work together for the benefit of others became the focus of our project One of the results of this community effort was the production of organic produce to be distributed to needful persons of our community. Another garden project in our city has a focus on education and special needs children. Whatever is chosen, everyone should understand the risks and agree to the objectives before beginning.
Besides trying to figure out how we were going to pay for the garden, who was going to build it, etc. we first defined who would receive the bounties of the garden. The target groups we chose to receive the produce were:
- Underemployed families - Making too much for food stamps, but still struggling, e.g. recent immigrants, economic downturn, etc.
- Children on school lunch programs - School lunch programs are not generally available in the summer when our harvest is bountiful
- Seniors on limited incomes - Hunger among seniors is rising. Many seniors are unable to or will not take advantage of food bank programs
- Care ministry programs of local churches, including individuals, families and special projects
- Overflow would go to mission outreach programs such as Tacoma Rescue Mission or Multi Service Center
We decided that we wanted an all for one harvest, one harvest for all model where the food is donated to the community. Our design was for a 10,000 sq. ft. garden, with an initial budget of $30,000, excluding the cost of the land, water and electric which was donated by the church.
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Defining the opportunity
Initial understanding Project Objectives Project Statement Principles Responsibility, Accountability, Authority Community gardens presentation at Washington State Fair 2019 2016 Slide Show |
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