2012 Master Community Gardener Schedule and Class Descriptions
Creating a successful community garden takes more than just a “green thumb.” In addition to horticultural skills, it also takes time, dedication, leadership, and organization. These trainings provide skills, resources and ideas to overcome the organizational and logistical challenges in order to build and maintain successful, productive and sustainable community gardens. Classes are interactive and a combination of lecture, panel discussions, and group activities. In addition, individuals will give presentations to the class on topics that frequently arise in community gardens. DUG’s Master Community Gardener Training Program is an 11-week course. Participants must be able to attend all classes, as partial attendance is not permitted.
Unless otherwise noted, all classes will take place at the Denver Botanic Gardens.
- Wednesday, February 15th, 6:00 - 8:45pm
History of Community Gardens and How to Start a New Community Garden
Ever wondered how community gardens are started? Learn about the history and benefits of community gardens, DUG, and the growing movement of local small-scale agriculture. The whole process will be discussed.
- Wednesday, February 22nd, 6:00 - 8:45pm
Communication Skills
This training includes skills and resources on conflict resolution, effective methods of communicating with gardeners, interacting with diverse populations, and overcoming language and cultural barriers.
- Wednesday, February 29th, 6:00 - 8:45pm
Community Organizing Basics (In the Garden and Out In the Neighborhood)
Learn effective methods of growing your community within the garden and out into the surrounding community. Including how to develop a gardener’s skills bank and encouraging partnerships in the community garden.
- Wednesday, March 7th, 6:00 - 8:45pm
Garden Management/Administration
The “how-to” class of managing a community garden, including the nuts and bolts of garden leadership, committees, budgeting, soliciting donations, and how to assign plots.
- Wednesday, March 14th, 6:00 - 8:45pm
Community Garden Design Principles
Principles and guidelines for garden design including physical parameters, building permanent features (e.g. raised beds and pathways), planning thematic beds, applying appropriate design for specific sites, and maintenance of infrastructure (such as how to fix simple irrigation breaks).
- Wednesday, March 21st, 6:00 - 8:45pm
Soil and Water Conservation
Learn basic fundamentals of plant biology and water conservation techniques and issues.
- Saturday, March 24th, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Basic Organic Growing of Edibles in Colorado - Part I
The two-part series of horticulture classes will provide a well-rounded approach to organic growing. Topics will include soil health and improvement techniques; composting methods and demonstration; seed selection; spacing and thinning; companion planting; weed and pest management; and seasonal planting techniques. This first class will focus primarily on spring gardening, including bed preparation and seed starting. There will be an outdoors, hands-on component to this class if weather permits.
- Wednesday, April 4th, 6:00 - 8:45pm
Basic Organic Growing of Edibles in Colorado - Part II
This class will build upon the previous week’s lessons with specific emphasis on warm and hot season crops, summer and fall gardening, seed saving, and putting the garden to rest for the winter.
- Wednesday, April 11th, 6:00 - 8:45pm
What To Do With All the Produce…
Identify and share community and online resources for nutrition information, healthy recipes, and preservation, as well as ideas to share with the broader community. Class includes how to hold a cooking demonstration.
- Saturday, March 31st OR Saturday, April 14th OR Wednesday, April 18th, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Hands-On Group Activity: Organizing a Work Day
Choose one of these dates to work with DUG’s Construction Manager, Dusty Martin, and learn how to work with a community and organize a work day. This opportunity guides participants in the organizational requirements, practical tools, and knowledge required to pull everything together and make the day a productive success! (Participants must commit to one of the above dates.)
- Saturday, April 14th OR Saturday April 21st OR Saturday April 28th, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Hands-On Group Activity: Education, Outreach and Community Engagement
Throughout the program, participants will work toward designing and implementing the components of a community activity. This hands-on group activity will utilize the new skills gained through the program, enabling participants to apply these skills in a new or existing community garden. (Participants must commit to one of the above dates.)
- Wednesday, May 2nd, 6:00 - 9:00pm
Troubleshooting – Where To Find the Resources You Need
This session will cover ideas to overcome common difficulties that frequently arise in a community garden. In addition, this session will include where to go for more resources and a discussion of volunteer opportunities for GiveBack hours.
Also see:
