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North Carolina Community Garden Partners — growing gardens, food & community How many gardens & where are they? There are currently 150+ gardens registered on the statewide directory, however we believe there are hundreds more given accounts from various regions of the state. Undoubtedly, the number of gardens and the interest in growing food and educaonal gardens has grown tremendously over the last 5-10 years. Food is grown in gardens for many reasons including for home consumpon, donaon, for nutrional and educaonal purposes and to sell at market. Community gardens are located at a wide variety of places and are associated with many different organizaons. Faith-based Schools, Colleges, Universies Food banks Hospitals, Health Centers Residenal, Neighborhoods Workplaces Public places, Parks A community garden is any piece of land gardened by a group of people. Community gardens are as varied as the places in which they are located. They are created to meet the needs of the people who come together to grow fruits, vegetables, flowers, herbs and more. A community garden can be any size or shape, from large gardens on two or three acres, to just a few raised beds in an urban parking lot. Parcipang in a community garden can: Increase fruit and vegetable consumpon Build community & strengthen bonds Improve skills in food preparaon Increase access to healthy food Teach life & business skills Increase physical acvity Save money Who are we? The North Carolina Community Garden Partners (NCCGP) is a nonprofit membership organizaon made up of partners across the state interested in “growing” community gardens. NCCGP Vision Our vision is to increase the quanty, quality and sustainability of community gardens in North Carolina. How will we do this? Advocate for community gardens Increase awareness of established community gardens and associated events Provide resources and best pracces for establishing new community gardens Organize statewide/regional educaonal workshops, conferences and tours Promote policies that encourage development, and sustainability of community gardens Support community gardens by supplying funding and resources
