Support on-site gardening and farming | ULI Building Healthy Places Toolkit

12 Support on-site gardening and farming

Photo: Serena Peck

Provide space for growing food on site through community gardens, edible landscaping, or a smallscale farm.
Facilitate opportunities to get locally grown produce to residents, for example through farm stands, farmers markets, or community-supported agriculture arrangements.

Partner with local community organizations that offer gardening or farming expertise. Collaborate with them on site assessment, planning, and preparation.
Select sites that are suitable for growing food and readily accessible to potential gardeners.
Assess past uses and potential pollution sources. Test soils and take steps to manage risks as appropriate, for example, by using raised beds or container gardens.
Consult available local guidelines for community garden design.
Craft a management and maintenance plan with clearly laid-out responsibilities for day-to-day gardening activities, as well as rules, security, and strategies for preventing vandalism. If needed, hire a specialty landscaper or gardener.