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Custom Application

2019 Community Garden Program Application

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Deadline: Jul 31, 2019 5:00 pm (GMT-04:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada)
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Date: Dec 14, 2018 1:00 am - Jan 31, 2020 5:00 pm (EDT)
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$27-54

About the event

The City of Alpharetta’s new Farm at Old Rucker Park welcomes you to participate in the community garden, part of our Community Recreational Agriculture Program. In the following pages you will find the City’s Community Recreational Agriculture Program membership information, structure, rules and practices. The City of Alpharetta’s Community Recreational Agriculture Program operates within the Community Services Division of the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Services Department. The City is happy to provide this program and service to the community. The vision for this program is to model and inspire the stewardship of natural resources through the use of sustainable practices, while connecting the community through growing food and nature-based education. The Community Recreational Agriculture Program was developed in 2018 with collaboration and guidance from numerous residents and community organizations. The program will evolve overtime, striving to best serve and meet the needs of the entire community. This is merely the beginning of the Community Recreational Agriculture Program, and the City of Alpharetta will continue to develop partnerships and programs to enhance this offering. Community Garden Membership Information There are four types of memberships available for the 2019 growing season, depending on your growing needs – there is a membership that fits you. All members will receive seed and plant distributions in the early spring and mid-summer, have access to classes and workshops, and be included in the many related events that take place throughout the year. The membership fees go toward the costs of the program and are not tax deductible.
CITY OF ALPHARETTA
CITY OF ALPHARETTA
CITY OF ALPHARETTA
CITY OF ALPHARETTA

About the application

Home Memberships – The Home Membership is tailored to the resident who already has a garden plot in their back yards, or plans to create one, and would like to join the community of other gardeners who share a common interest. The home plot can be as small or large as you choose. Seasonal Memberships (Available in 2020) – Seasonal Memberships will be available in 2020, and are connected to the schools that become members of the Community Recreational Agriculture Program. The Seasonal Members will have access to their assigned raised beds from Memorial Day to Labor Day at the partnering school location. The Seasonal Membership is perfect if you love to plant the “Hot Crops”, such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplant. Seasonal Members will be responsible to hand over a plant-ready bed to the school by Labor Day, providing our local educators with the needed assistance to help incorporate classroom gardens into our children’s education. Annual Memberships – Annual Membership beds for 2019 are all located at the Farm at Old Rucker Road Park. For the 2019 Season, there will be 12 garden beds available at the Farm at Old Rucker Road Park, and all will be 6’10” x 3’5”. The number of beds will increase as demand from the community dictates the need. School Memberships (Available in 2020)– School Memberships are free to any Alpharetta school and will be available in 2020. The school is responsible for installing the raised beds and filling it with soil, and making the beds accessible to the Seasonal Members during the summer break. School Members will take responsibility for their gardens from Labor Day through Memorial Day. Seed and plant distribution will be delivered to the school by the Community Recreational Agriculture Program on mutually agreed upon dates. If you are a school/educator interested in joining the Community Recreational Agriculture Program, email amusilli@alpharetta.ga.us. Old Rucker Farm & Park's Community Garden Program provides: o Water (regulated by the farm and weather conditions) o Tools & wheelbarrows on site o Four seed and plant distribution dates, with quantities based on membership type o Onsite shed to store equipment shared by the garden members Gardeners are responsible for: o Annual program participation fee o Completion of a set number of community service hours (based on membership type) for the garden per year, which may include scheduled work days or hosting an educational class for the community o A clearly worked, weeded and harvested plot all growing season o Additional hand tools needed to maintain your plot o Row covers o Any additional plot needs o Maintaining current address, phone numbers & email address with your Garden Coordinator

Terms & Conditions

In order to have an enjoyable community garden for all members, there needs to be a set of agreed upon standards of practice. The following program guidelines have been developed by the City of Alpharetta with the input of many community members. The Community Garden guidelines will evolve as time goes on, and needs arise. All gardeners are responsible for following the guidelines and being mindful of neighboring plots. Failure to do so may cause you to forfeit your plot space and lose your priority to renew a future plot space the following season. Please read through all of the following information, as well as the enforcement below, before completing your application. 1) Plot priority is given to City of Alpharetta & Milton residents. Registration for residents will begin December 14, 2018 and registration for non-residents will be December 21, 2018. 2) The Farm at Old Rucker Park Community Garden is open 7 days a week during day light hours. 3) Children are welcome in the garden; however, they must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times. 4) Please help us make the garden a peaceful place by leaving amplified music at home, and observing quiet hours from 9 P.M. to 8 A.M. so neighboring residents are not disturbed. 5) Gardeners are encouraged to add their garden cuttings and fruits and vegetable waste from this community garden to the designated compost area at the Old Rucker Park. Please, do no bring in household or private yard waste to this area. 6) The use of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers is strictly prohibited. If you have pests or diseased plants, please use OMRI-Approved products or ask the Garden Manager for recommendations. Each garden member will be responsible for tracking the fertilizer inputs applied to their garden in the log provided by the City. 7) Garden members will be responsible for recording the plant types grown in their plot each season, in the log provided by the City. This information will be passed along to future plot holders to ensure successful growing. 8) Do not disturb other plots. This includes weeding or removing anything from a plot other than your own. 9) Harvest only from your assigned plot. 10) Pets are not allowed in the garden area unless they are service animals. 11) No invasive edible plants, such as mint, can be planted in the garden plots. 12) To conserve water we ask that your plots are covered with mulch or hay to reduce evaporation. 13) No debris of any kind should be left on site. Please use the trash receptacles, recycling, and compost bins next to the gardens to dispose of any unwanted material. 14) All plots will be inspected periodically by the City of Alpharetta. Plots that have not been planted, are weedy, or do not meet the guidelines will be notified. Failure to respond within 14 days may result in forfeiture of the plot. 15) All plots must be harvested once they are mature. Please let your Garden Coordinator know if you have any an extra surplus of fruits & vegetables that you cannot use. The Farm at Old Rucker Park works closely with the NFCC to ensure available, edible food is provided to those in need within the community. 16) A set number of community service hours must be conducted to participate in the Community Garden Program. This is in addition to maintenance of your plot(s). This will be tracked closely by the Garden Coordinator. Four community work days are scheduled each calendar year, and a list of additional volunteer opportunities that can count toward your annual number of hours will be provided by the Garden Coordinator. Members who do not complete and log community service hours two years in a row will forfeit your ability to register for future plots. The farm will hold a variety of Garden Work Days where you may sign up to complete your hours. The deadline to complete and report community service hours is September 1, 2019 for Seasonal Members and November 16, 2019 for Annual and Home Members. a. Annual Membership Requirements – Four (4) hours of community service time (per plot, per year) b. Seasonal Membership Requirements – Two (2) hours of community service time (per plot, per year) 17) Garden Work Days—For your convenience, specific days throughout the season will be designated as community service work days. Work days for 2019 are outlined below. Your Garden Coordinator will supervise these days. a. Garden Work Day 1: May 18, 2019 b. Garden Work Day 2: June 22, 2019 c. Garden Work Day 3: August 24, 2019 d. Garden Work Day 4: October 19, 2019 18) NOT ALLOWED in the garden include the following: marijuana cultivation, tires, pressure treated wood, barbed wire, smoking, loud music, selling produce, pets and heavy machinery. 19) Basic tools and wheelbarrows are kept in the onsite garden shed. These tools are for everyone’s use. Please place any tools you use back in the shed and lock everything up at night. The City of Alpharetta is not responsible for any lost, stolen or broken tools. Garden décor is welcomed but The City of Alpharetta is not responsible for any lost or stolen décor pieces in your garden. Any plants that are damaged due to weather, bugs, animals or plants that are stolen will not be replaced by the City of Alpharetta. Gardeners may also donate to the shed any tools they feel may be useful in the garden but please note anything left in the shed is for everyone’s use. Any missing or broken tools will not be replaced. 20) Completion of this application does not guarantee acceptance. After we receive the application and full payment, the application will be placed in queue, in the order received. Plots are awarded on a first-come basis, once both application and payment are submitted. Applicants will receive confirmation of plot approval via email. Signing of this application confirms receipt and payment of application, as well as commitment to follow through with this process. 21) You have 14 days after you have received your approval email to receive a full refund. Garden Accountability & Enforcement City staff will regularly monitor community garden plots throughout the year. Below outlines the steps and timeline of accountability when garden guidelines are not met. • If a member is not following the garden guidelines, City staff will send them a reminder. • The plot member will have two (2) weeks (14 days) to respond and start tending/gardening. Garden Accountability & Enforcement (continued) • If there is no action after 14 days, the plot will be reassigned. • When a garden member receives three reminders from City staff in one season (Jan 1- Dec 31), they have the option to forfeit their plot for the remainder of the year or will be given one more chance. • When a garden member receives three reminders from City staff in one season (Jan 1- Dec 31), their garden plot will be automatically forfeited and reassigned. Liability Waiver and Release: By completing this application and submitting it I hereby assume all responsibility for, and risks and hazards of, participation in The Farm at Old Rucker Park Community Garden Program. In considerations of the City of Alpharetta providing permission to use the space requested, I do hereby release the City of Alpharetta, including all officials, officers, employees, sponsors, organizers, supervisors, volunteers, participants, and all other agents, of any and all claims, demands, rights, and causes of action of whatever kind and nature, arising from and by reason of, and all known and unknown, foreseen and unforeseen, bodily and personal injuries, damage to property, and the consequences thereof, resulting from participation in the Community Garden Program planned in the City of Alpharetta. Because some activities – including the use of garden tools -- may present physical and other risks, I will use my best judgment and reasonable care prior to and while at the community garden. I know, understand, and appreciate the health and other risks that are inherent to the activities offered by the City of Alpharetta at the Farm at Rucker Road Park. By signing this form, I acknowledge, agree, and understand that my participation is strictly voluntary, and I assume the risks associated with the activities in which I will be participating. The City of Alpharetta uses photos to help others understand the magic that happens on the Farm at Rucker Road Park. I willingly give my permission to use any and all images of me and/or my garden plot. I voluntarily consent and grant the City of Alpharetta and its designees the right to use, display, broadcast, market, distribute, modify or duplicate, either in whole or in part, and either alone or with other products, for commercial or non-commercial purposes, and any other purpose that the City of Alpharetta and its designees in their sole discretion may determine my name, likeness, image, voice, appearance and/or performance in the activities whether recorded on or transferred to media now known or later developed. The City of Alpharetta and its designees shall have complete ownership in media in which my name, likeness, image, voice, appearance and/or performance appears, including copyright interests; and I acknowledge that I have no interest or ownership in the media or copyright created by the City of Alpharetta and its designees. I hereby give all clearances, copyright and otherwise, for use of my likeness, image, voice, appearance and/or performance. By reading this information and submitting this Participant Agreement, I am agreeing to abide by all guidelines set forth by the organizers of the 2019 Community Garden at The Farm at Old Rucker Park and made a part hereof by reference.

Prices

Home Plot Membership $27 *There has been an additional $2.00 processing fee added on* YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED UNTIL YOU ARE APPROVED The Home Membership is tailored to the resident who already has a garden plot in their back yards, or plans to create one, and would like to join the community of other gardeners who share a common interest. The home plot can be as small or large as you choose.
Annual Plot Membership $54 *There is a $4.00 processing fee that has been added on* YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED UNTIL YOU ARE APPROVED Annual Membership beds for 2019 are located at the Farm at Old Rucker Road Park. For the 2019 season, there will be 12 garden beds available at the Farm at Old Rucker Road Park, and all will be 6'10" x 3'5". The number of beds will increase as demand from the community dictates the need.

Questions on the application

User information

  • First name
  • Last name
  • Email
  • Gender
  • Birthday
  • Address

Additional information

  • Which Plot Membership are you applying for? *YOU WILL NOT BE CHARGED UNTIL YOU ARE APPROVED*
  • What ways would you most like to volunteer with the community garden?
  • If you answered "other" in the question above please describe what you would like to contribute to the farm.
  • I agree to abide by all the rules and regulations set forth by the event organizers in the 2019 Community Garden at The Farm at Old Rucker Park and made a part hereof by reference.
2019 Community Garden Program Application
2019 Community Garden Program Application
Old Rucker Farm & Park Community Garden 2019
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