2015 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 Horse Barn, 1031 33rd Street, Denver, CO 80205.

  • Wednesday, February 11th, 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.
  • Wednesday, February 18th, 6:00 – 8:45pm
    Communication Skills
    This training includes skills and resources on conflict resolution, effective methods of communicating with gardeners, and interacting with diverse populations including multilingual and multicultural gardeners.
  • Wednesday, February 25th, 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 developing a gardener’s skills bank and encouraging partnerships in the garden.
  • Wednesday, March 4th, 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, fundraising, soliciting donations, and plot assignments.
  • Wednesday, March 11th, 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 and applying appropriate design for specific sites.
  • Wednesday, March 18th, 6:00 – 8:45pm
    Soil and Water Conservation
    Learn basic fundamentals of plant biology and water conservation techniques and issues.
  • Saturday, March 21st, 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, March 25th, 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, and putting the garden to rest for the winter.
  • Wednesday, April 8th, 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 and an opportunity to try your hand at fermentation.
  • Wednesday, March 25th OR Saturday, March 28th OR Saturday, April 11th, 9:00am – 12:00pm
    Hands-On Group Activity: Organizing a Work Day
    Choose one of these dates to work with DUG’s Construction Volunteer Coordinator 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).
  • TBA weekends in April, 9:00am – 12:00pm with possible weekday evening options    
    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. Dates forthcoming.
  • Wednesday, April 22nd, 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.