Ways to Get Involved with Forsyth Community Gardens

Interested in volunteering with a community garden, or just want to know more about the program? There are plenty of ways to participate!

Volunteer: Join an Existing Community Garden

1. Review the online map of community gardens
2. Leave a note for our incoming Community Gardens Coordinator,  at extension@forsyth.cc with your name, email, phone number and zip code to be matched with a garden.
3. Complete the Volunteer Waiver
4. Set up a garden visit and coordinate a schedule with the garden leadership
5. Does your organization want to schedule a community service workday at a community garden? Contact the Extension office for more information.

 

Mentor Program

Forsyth Community Gardening offers training and support for local leaders to serve as Mentors to community gardens across the county. New Mentors first complete training sessions covering the community organizing skills and basic horticultural knowledge needed to start and sustain a community garden.After the initial training, Mentors are either matched with a community garden of their choosing to provide guidance (often a garden where they are already involved), or work with the Community Gardening Coordinator to identify a program-wide role based on their gifts. To continue growing their knowledge, skills, and networks, Mentors also participate in monthly garden meetings, gardening workshops, and a ‘buddy program’ that pairs Mentors for mutual support and learning. If you're interested in becoming a mentor or finding a mentor, please contact the Extension office for more information.

Start a Community Garden:

Read the full page on starting a community garden here

Donate Surplus Produce

There are a number of hunger relief organizations and food banks in the county. If you have some extra produce from a home, school, or community garden, consider donating it to continue hunger relief efforts in the county.

• Find a food pantry using the Food Pantries online map
• Review the Food Pantry Donation list to find contact information for a pantry near you
• Consider joining Piedmont Environmental Alliance's Giving Gardens Program
• Read the Farm to Food Bank Resource Guide

Come to a Community Garden Meeting!

Community garden meetings are held monthly, on the 4th Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Each meeting is held at a different community garden. Meetings typically cover program updates, a short educational program from a local expert or community gardener, and a garden tour. However, the main intention for these meetings is to offer time for gardeners to connect with each other, share ideas and experiences, and get to see what other gardeners in the area are doing. Want to attend a meeting? Subscribe to the monthly newsletter or contact the Community Gardening Program Coordinator.

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