THE CHALLENGES:

1) Residents living in or near Southwest DC want to participate in community gardening but there are only four gardens (and two will be closing soon), not enough gardens to meet demand. In addition, residents are eager to connect with one another and build an atmosphere of mutual respect and community.

2) Of the four current gardens, there are only individual plots, and no communal plots that multiple residents can tend to collaboratively.

But most people interact with only a small group of neighbors in the area. This prevents many residents from becoming more vested in their own neighborhood.

2) Southwest DC is home to a small number of community gardens, but a few of them will close in the coming years due to various development projects. In addition, none of these gardens present a truly “communal” garden space

OUR MISSION:

To create a space where neighbors can connect with one another in a hands-on, peaceful, and respectful environment around the activity of growing produce. In the process of tending to vegetables, fruits, and other plants, the Southwest Community Garden group seeks to grow fresh produce, educate community members about gardening and the nutritional value of fresh produce, and strengthen bonds among community members through inclusive community activities

OUR VISION:

We envision a neighborhood where neighbors have access to gardening activities and freshly grown food, ; know each other’s names, are trusting of one another; respect and value the community;  feel respected and valued by the community, are safe and happy; share resources; and feel motivated to proactively contribute to each other’s quality of life.

OUR ROLE:

We build, operate, and invite others’ participation in a community gardens to bring together residents living in and around Southwest DC. Our gardens provides a venue for people to connect with the earth, grow fresh produce and plants, spend time together and deepen relationships, and make plans to better the community.

Our first garden, the Lansburgh Park garden, will include individual plots for use by individuals or households in exchange for an annual cost. The garden will also include a communal portion on which any neighbor can grow produce and other plants in a collaborative, imaginative, mutually respectful manner.

BELIEFS:

• Community gardening quiets the mind, connects people with the earth, and grounds people within their local neighborhood
• People want to feel connected to their neighbors
• People want to feel trusted and valued by their neighbors
• Neighborhoods thrive when neighbors connect with one another in person
• Every person is equally vital to make a community work

VALUES:`

• Community-driven
• Inclusive
• Respectful
• Nonhierarchical
• Fun
• Innovative
• Collaborative