GardenforLIFE is a proven method of successfully producing healthy food efficiently. Decades of collaboration and practice have been combined to create a course that yields lots of food, builds soil/human health, and requires minimal resources. This approach is good for people, planet, and profit. Please watch this short introductory video.
ORGANIZATIONS are invited to make GardenforLIFE their own branded initiative. GfL is NOT building an organization, only a tool for others to use in accordance with their own vision and purpose. An organization that gives attention to empowering people to feed themselves and building character in the heart of individuals, plants seeds are that bring forth LIFE for generations. Stewarding the planet and the heart begins with “the power of one”. An ORGANIZATION has “the power of one + one + one + one”. With minimal expense your organization can be a catalyst for food security and personal/community development. GardenforLIFE is a tool that placed in the right hands changes the trajectory of people’s lives for the better.
Any ORGANIZATION, large or small, can host the GfL material on their own website, or use a portioned section of ours. GardenforLIFE will NOT solicit funds from or overwatch an ORGANIZATION using the program. GfL will, however, assist an organization in implementing the GfL program. The garden is by nature a LIFE building experience. Organizations have the power to give that experience in multiples. GfL recognizes that people are “messy” and that is okay, however, sometimes “messy” gets in the way of allowing a people to succeed. The unique quality in organizing a GardenforLIFE program is that it is a course, NOT a “community garden”. A course gives direction, purpose, schedule, and order. The goal is to follow the methods presented, NOT to argue about whose method is best. Farmers and gardeners often let their “experience” gets in the way of learning new things. A course is all about learning something new. To be successful in the garden and in LIFE requires understanding how our planet and our relationships work to create LIFE. Through compassionate leadership, shared responsibility, consistent work, and wise land stewardship people can feed themselves physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. This is a worthy goal for any ORGANIZATION. A ½ acre garden can easily produce 3 tons (6,000 lbs.) of mixed produce. Enough to eat and enough to give away.
GfL would love to assist your organization to create an exceptionally successful experience of feeding people, caring for the environment, and encouraging the soul. Please contact us for more information.
To get started you will need the following:
One of the benefits of working as a community is that some tools may be shared. You will need a place to secure tools for common use. (e.g. a shed or closet) There are many tools useful in the garden, however, what is needed is very simple. The list below separates tools into two categories: required and optional. Refer to the videos below for an explanation.
Required:
Optional:
An ORGANIZATION will need one primary GfL Coordinator to facilitate smooth operations. This will unlikely be a full-time job depending on the size of the organization. They will arrange for training Garden Managers to achieve organizational goals using the GfL tools. Consequently, the application of GfL will vary and adapt to each organization. GfL may be engaged to provide training and coordination as needed. GfL has experience in working in schools, churches, prisons, restaurants, and other organizations. ORGANIZATIONS are encouraged to take advantage of GfL’s expertise to ensure successful implementation.
GfL will assist ORGANIZATIONS with artwork templates to make independent branding and implementation easier.
A basic GardenforLIFE is designed to require approximately 2 hours/week of fieldwork per person. This could be more or less depending on several factors. However, the garden requires consistent initiative and influence: leadership. Working with joy and using the time to build relationships in family and community is the key. The LIFEWORK lessons are design to stimulate discussion on meaningful topics. Virtues are the best values and require intention and practice.
Structure helps share responsibilities and builds teamwork. GfL recommends that one person take the role of Garden Manager. Other key roles can be assigned separately or combined. These may include: Tool/Material Manager, Scheduling Manager, Homework Manager, and Discussion Leader. Assign them for a season, a month, or a week.
Organizing the Garden Work:
Get the 14-week video course & the GardenforLIFE field guide for free!
