Community of Practice

Next Collective Gardening Community of Practice: Thursday, March 6 – read below for more!

One of the ways we are supporting collective gardening as a movement is by weaving together a Community of Practice. This has looked differently through the years as our capacity and programs evolve. In the past four years, we have organized three Collective Gardening Trainings and we’ve coordinated five community of practice gatherings, some virtual and others in person.

Particularly within the last year, we’ve heard from several gardeners, including those who already grow collectively, as well as groups interested in developing their own collective model. What we are hearing is a desire to gather with a group of people who share a passion for collective gardening, to share lessons learned and to glean ideas for unique challenges and opportunities.

Some of the conversation topics we’ve been having include:

• Planning for crops that can be bulk harvested and easily distributed among collective members (e.g. planting calendars for potatoes, garlic, winter squash)
• Choosing a communication tool that is accessible and appropriate for the group (e.g Google Groups, WhatsApp, Slack)
• Financial models for covering costs and  keeping membership fees accessible (e.g. sliding scale, non-profit fiscal entities)

In 2025, we will be organizing seasonal, in-person, Community of Practice gatherings. We are also considering the possibility of scheduling a monthly virtual gathering to welcome people from farther away and have more continuity. Participation in the Collective Gardening Community of Practice is open to everyone, from everywhere, and with all levels of experience in gardening or collectivism. 

Collective Gardening Community of Practice
Seeds, Conversation & Nourishment

Thursday, March 6
5 to 7pm
Skinny Pancake, Burlington waterfront location at 60 Lake Street

SEED SHARING – VGN will be sharing an abundance of seed packets at this gathering and we invite you to bring seeds you’d like to share too. Please label seed containers/packets with plant name, brief variety description, year seeds were collected, and any other info you would like to include to share the story of your seeds.

CONVERSATION – We keep returning to words spoken by a garden member at Seedsong Collective Garden a couple of years ago:

“Collective gardening seems like the way we were meant to garden. Why do something individually when there’s so much to be gained from community knowledge, from the give and take of having many people to rely on, when you can share abundance and advice and inspiration more widely!” 

We will facilitate conversation around collective gardening, invite folks curious about VGN’s offerings to ask questions, and continue the conversation in the direction(s) the group moves. We might focus on garden planning for the season ahead or explore collective decision-making or brainstorm where to source materials or share concerns over farming in a changing climate or something completely different, but still related to growing food in community. We will wrap up our time together by asking: How do we envision a community of practice supporting each other through the growing season and beyond?

NOURISHMENT – Food & beverages will be available for purchase. Burgers (meat & veggie options) are ½ off on Thursdays and our friends at Skinny Pancake are offering attendees a 10% discount on other food and non-alcoholic beverages. Additionally, sign in upon your arrival to receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win a $25 Skinny Pancake gift card!

RSVP here

Questions? Contact Carolina – carolina@vtgardens.org