GRUB Supported Community Gardens

A GRUB supported community garden is a parcel of land containing one single garden that is shared by all. Each person working in the garden shares the day's harvest. Excess food is delivered to shelters, food pantries and those unable to get fresh produce locally.

The goal of the Community Garden project is to establish a sustainable food network in Chico. We are achieving this by creating a network of neighborhood gardens that are founded, worked, harvested, and supported by our community.

All gardens use sound principles of Organic gardening starting with composting to feed the soil. Fertilizers come from organic sources. We have found that virtually anything can be successfully grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides.

It's an interactive way of getting things done, based on shared learning, a convergence of goals and concerted action ... to "advocate an interactive or participatory style of problem solving whereby outside intervention takes the form of facilitation," in Wheelbarrows full of frogs: Social Learning in Rural Resource Management (Leeuwis & Pyburn, 2002).

We all bring our unique experiences to the table and to the garden - with humble beginnings. None of us had experience farming before starting GRUB.

• The intention for each community garden is to be sustainable, thus standing on its own; managed and maintained by its community members and volunteers.
• GRUB individuals act as a bridge that facilitates the needs of a group ready to care for or expand a garden; we are a resource to be utilized by our community.

We offer the initial impetus to get the ball rolling. Re-using salvaged and donated materials as well as working within a budget based upon available funding, we work in conjunction with the needs of the community and the nature of the space. Funding for the materials and labor is sporadic through the form of grants, fund-raisers, and community supported donations with a strong focus on volunteering.

Support through initial coordination and collective action. Construction, Installation and Consultation.

• Establish a new or expand an existing garden.
• Install or modify irrigation systems.
• Water catchment.
• Chicken coop, tool shed, greenhouse, shade-house.

Secure garden locations are donated by people in our community for people within our community. It is not necessary to know how to garden; you do not have to be an expert or have experience. You just have to be willing to try.

No one demographic is targeted. The more diverse we are the better; just like our gardens. The community gardens are non-exclusive. We want to increase access to and tenure of the land, and to encourage and welcome diversity in order to share our environmental and place based knowledge.

Learning in practice and learning from practice. Problem solving, mentoring, inspiring and networking.

Programs currently working within these gardens include but are not limited to:

• Chico Food Network
• Jesus Center
• Caring Choices
• ARC
• Experience Works

Gardens may take any form and can be installed anywhere big or small! It totally depends upon the needs of the group.

• Apartment complex
• Hanging baskets & porch gardens
• Straw bales
• Orchards
• Open fields
• Front yards

This program is run on community donations, which will go towards material costs and to pay for staff members. Please visit our donation page to contribute to this project.

If you would like to volunteer with this project or if you have any general inquiries, please contact Stephanie at stephanie@grubchico.org, (530) 354-1646, or fill out the form below.