Community gardens are growing across Missouri by pairing shared land with shared purpose, but long-term success requires planning and organization.
To support communities beyond the initial stages of starting a garden, University of Missouri Extension has developed the Community Gardening Toolkit, said Bill McKelvey, senior project coordinator and author of the publication.
Based on research and practical experience, the toolkit offers guidance for organizing gardeners, defining roles and responsibilities and establishing structures that support inclusive, productive gardens over time. The guide provides a framework that rural towns, small cities and urban neighborhoods can adapt to local needs, McKelvey said.
Shared land and community stewardship
“When shared land becomes a garden, it becomes a place where community can take root,” said MU Extension horticulture specialist Tamra Reall.
Community gardens can transform vacant lots, church grounds, schoolyards and other underused areas into maintained green spaces. The gardens function as shared land resources managed by the people who use them, an approach that can be particularly important in communities where access to private growing space is limited, Reall said.
By working together to grow food, flowers and other crops, gardeners share responsibility for land use, infrastructure and long-term care. The toolkit includes resources intended to help groups clarify expectations, make decisions and plan for sustainability.
“As community gardens turn access to land into an opportunity for participation, leadership and connection, they also strengthen long-term investment,” Reall said.
A recurring theme in the toolkit is the ability of gardens to bring together people of different ages, backgrounds and experiences. Children can learn where food comes from, while adults share knowledge developed through years of growing.
In many gardens, MU Extension Master Gardener volunteers provide research-based information and help participants solve problems during the growing season, said Debi Kelly, coordinator of the MU Extension Master Gardener program. Last year, more than 2,000 volunteers contributed nearly 150,000 hours of service valued at more than $5 million, Kelly said.
Food access, health and environmental benefits
Community gardens can increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Harvests are often shared among gardeners, exchanged with neighbors or donated to local food pantries, Reall said.
“Every harvest reflects an investment in health, environment and community resilience,” she said.
Community gardens also may improve soil health, increase biodiversity, reduce stormwater runoff and help moderate neighborhood temperatures.
“Gardens provide opportunities for people to gather in their community while increasing their access to healthy food, participating in physical activity and spending time with family, friends and neighbors,” said Jo Britt Rankin, an MU Extension professional in health and human sciences.
“Community gardens demonstrate what is possible when shared land is paired with research-based guidance and strong local leadership,” McKelvey said. “Communities across Missouri are growing much more than food. They are growing stronger, more connected places.”
The toolkit is available for free download at extension.missouri.edu/publications/mp906.
