ASHEVILLE BUNCOMBE COMMUNITY GARDEN NETWORK
The Asheville Buncombe Community Garden Network connects 30+ gardens through shared communications, meetups, garden workdays, workshops, volunteer recruitment, and resources. The goal of this program is to strengthen neighborhood-powered food initiatives through collaboration. It includes:
- Community garden meetups: networking potlucks every other month featuring an educational workshop on requested garden topics
- Tool library: shared lending library featuring garden tools and garden education and event supplies.
- Seed libraries: community gardeners can check out open-pollinated seeds for each growing season at the following locations, Leicester Library, Stephens Lee Center, Shiloh Community Center, Burton Street Community Center, and Southside Community Farm
- Monthly newsletter: helpful tips, upcoming events, and other relevant information in both English and Spanish
- Shared financial development: the Garden Network Coordinator pursues grant opportunities to benefit all network gardens
- Volunteer recruitment: the network serves as a portal for new community garden volunteers and to match volunteers with gardens based on skill, experience, availability, and need – visit the volunteer page for more information
- Connecting with food system initiatives: the Garden Network Coordinator participates in collaborative initiatives, including the Asheville/Buncombe Food Policy Council and the WNC Food Systems Coalition