Support from N.C. Cooperative Extension, Forsyth County Center

Our local N.C. Cooperative Extension office supports residents in starting and sustaining community gardens, primarily by developing local leaders' skills in community organizing and sustainable horticulture. Subscribe to the newsletter to get monthly updates about workshops and training. Our office also provides a number of other resources to community gardens, which are listed below.

Seed Bank

N.C. Cooperative Extension of Forsyth County maintains a seed bank with vegetable, herb, and flower seeds, which are distributed free to community gardens registered with our program. To set a time to pick up seeds, please contact the Community Gardening Program Coordinator. To make sure you’re planting during the ideal season for each crop, review the Planting Calendar for Annual Vegetables, Fruits, and Herbs.

Tool Lending Program

The Tool Lending program operates out of the tool shed at the Forsyth County Agricultural Building. To rent tools, please see the Tool Lending Forms to find what tools are available for lending, what they can be used for, and review the lending policy and liability waiver. You will be asked to sign this form indicating your agreement with the policy upon picking up tools.Please note that a $25 deposit is required to check out hand tools and a $50 deposit is required for power tools (e.g., mini-tiller). When you come to pick up tools, please bring a check. Tools are lent out on a first-come, first-serve basis. To arrange a tool pick-up or drop-off, or if you have questions about tool lending, please contact the Community Gardening Program Coordinator. Please allow at least one business day for tools to be prepared after calling or emailing.

Monthly Garden Meetings, Newsletter, and Social Media

Community garden meetings are held on the 4th Thursday of each month at a different community garden. Program updates, upcoming workshops and training, and other opportunities are shared at these meetings. Gardeners can also share news about their gardens and ask each other questions. Meeting information is shared in the monthly newsletter and via the Mentors email group, please email mscoggi@ncsu.edu if you run a community or school garden and would like to be in the group.

Ongoing Technical Support

Community gardens registered in our program receive ongoing support from the Community Gardening Program Coordinator and the extended network of gardeners, volunteers, trained Mentors, and community partners. If you have a specific need for your garden, please call 336-703-2853.

Funding for Community Gardens

• List of Funding Opportunities for Community Gardens
• Funding and Resources (chapter from Collard Greens and Common Ground)

State & National Community Garden Organizations

• North Carolina Community Garden Partners
• American Community Gardening Association

Tools, Forms, and Record Keeping

 

• Asset Based Community Development

Community Building Resources

• Forsyth County Community Resources
• Forsyth County Community Assets Map

Garden Record Keeping

• Garden Journaling
• Vegetable Measurement Guide, Harvest Tracking Sheet
• NC Extension Gardener Handbook: Record Keeping and Evaluation
• Determining the Value of Crops Produced in Community Gardens
• Index of Garden Evaluation Forms- from the Conservation Fund, including harvest log, volunteer time log, garden management spreadsheet, and more.

Volunteer Management & Safety

• NC Extension Gardener Handbook: Ways Volunteer Educators Can Help
• Example_Release_of_All_Claims