Ballard Garden Matchmaker Program
From Sustainable Ballard
Contents |
The Garden Matchmaker Project (Draft)
Project Description
Matchmaking service for gardeners provided and administered by Sustainable Ballard. Matches will be made between people with garden resources (e.g. garden space, fruit/nut trees) and people with time and ability to use the resources (e.g. apartment dwellers, urban farmers, people with canning and preserving tools).
Phase One
- Define the program
- Create a questionnaire and introduction to the program and test it on Sustainable Ballard members.
Phase Two
- Define the neighborhood
- Refine the program based on test
- Identify community groups and other forums for introduction
- Introduce and implement it in the neighborhood.
Phase Three
- Expand the program to include other collective activities, to include youth and senior programs, to coordinate with Food Bank or Senior meals programs, etc.
Goals
- Increase use of wasted space/resources
- Provide more locally grown food to neighborhood
- Create community/connections/social interaction
- Localize economy
- Create model/template for other guilds/neighborhoods
Challenges
- Liability (especially for fruit/nut pickers)
- Keeping program simple enough to appeal to maximum audience
- Getting enough (or the right) information to make a good match
- How do we handle a "bad match"?
- Designing the matchmaking mechanism (database)
Education
- Teach more people to garden
- Educate gardeners about sustainable practices
The Survey
Intro
There are resources going to waste in our neighborhood. At Sustainable Ballard we are looking at ways to make the most of our local resources. One of these ways is through the Garden Matchmaker Project. The program is completely free of charge, so read on.
Many backyard fruit and nut trees fill with produce, but most of us don’t have the time, skills or inclination to make the most of this produce. While others would love to have a few pounds of apples to make a batch of applesauce, but why should they buy apples imported from Wenatchee when there are apples right here in the neighborhood? Many of us have space on our property for a nice little vegetable or herb garden and would love to eat produce fresh from the garden, but perhaps work long hours and have little time for gardening. Others of us live in apartments, stay home with kids or work part-time and have the time and inclination to garden, but no space. The Pea Patch Program has a waiting list for these kinds of requests. If these neighbors could share that underutilized garden space then we could all profit.
Sustainable Ballard wants to help with something we call the Garden Matchmaker Project. If you are interested in being included in this "ground-breaking" community project, please take time to fill out one of the following questionnaires. Please choose either the "GardenSpace/Produce to Share" form or the "Time/Skills to Share" form. When completed, return the form to:
Sustainable Ballard 2442 NW Market St, #541 Seattle, WA 98107
We will make every effort to connect you with a suitable partner or group. Your private information will be safeguarded by Sustainable Ballard. Within 3 weeks we will contact you with a description of the partner(s) we have found for you. If you are happy with the selection, your first names and phone numbers will be exchanged, so that you may arrange to meet. When you notify us that a successful match has been made we will remove your listing.
Thanks for participating!
GardenSpace/Produce to Share
1. Name ________________________ Phone ___________________
2. Location of garden ______________________________________
3. Age: Under 18 18-25 26-35 36-50 over 50
4. Gender: Male Female
5. A. What do you have to offer?
- Produce - Fruit/nut trees/bushes:
Kind and number (e.g. walnuts (3))
_________________________ ______________________ _________________________ ______________________ _________________________ ______________________ _________________________ ______________________
- Garden space: How many square feet? ________
If you have multiple beds, please mark all that apply.
Light conditions?
- Sun
- part-sun/shade
- mostly shade
Bed conditions?
- Well-established
- Needs improvement
- Would like to create
Irrigation?
- Hand-watering
- Irrigation system
- Sprinkler
- Drip hose
Plant waste disposal?
- Worm Bin
- Compost
- Yard Waste
- None
5. B. How would you like to share?
- I am offering space/produce/resources only
Specify:____________________________________________
- I would like to trade_________________ for ___________________
- I would like to have a gardening partner or partners
- Other __________________________________________________
6. Is there a limit to how many people you would like to be involved in your yard?
- Yes (How many? ________)
- No
7. Are there particular days or times of day that would be best?
- Yes Specify:_____________________________________________
- No
If yes, Would access be restricted to those times?
- Yes
- No
8. What are your gardening skills?
- None
- Novice
- Intermediate
- Expert
10. Would you like to work with other people of a specific profile? (e.g. Age/Gender/Skill Level)
- Yes Specify:______________________________________________
- No
11. Do you have any special needs or restrictions that we should be aware of? (e.g. disabilities, physical limitations, allergies) or any other concerns?
- No
- Yes:_______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________
12. Does sharing your garden entail any special restrictions that we should be aware of? (e.g. presence of pets/kids, access limitations, fences/gates/locks, security)
- No
- Yes:_______________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________
13. Which of the following aspects of cooperative gardening are important to you? Please Rank. You may use N/A for any that do not appeal.
- Building community
- Using wasted space
- Food Recovery
- Edible Landscaping
- Feeding people
- Organic gardening
- Sustainable gardening
- Enjoying company in the garden
- Having a productive garden
- Learning more about gardening
- Teaching about gardening
- Other
14. Are you interested in growing or harvesting some food for the local food bank?
- Yes
- No
THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING THIS SURVEY. We will contact you when we find a match.