Memberships
Market Garden Park (MGP) Community Garden Inc welcomes new members who support the objectives of the garden and agree to the Members Guidelines.
OBJECTIVES of MGP Community Garden Inc
To establish and maintain a community garden which enables members to learn about growing vegetables, fruit, herbs and other edibles by pursuing sustainable, organic and bush friendly principles and sharing in the produce
To foster health and well-being for individuals, families and the environment, including development of meaningful relationships within the community to strengthen social cohesion. Members agree to participate in the garden in an inclusive manner, respecting and celebrating cultural, linguistic, gender, religious and other forms of diversity, promoting access, and valuing individual differences.
If you support MGP Objectives and agree to the Guidelines and Responsibilities, you are invited to apply for membership by emailing the Secretary at mgpcommunitygarden@gmail.com You will need to complete a Membership Application Form. Once confirmed, a joining fee of $1 and an annual membership fee is due. The annual membership fee is payable each calendar year. It is currently set at $25 per year for adults, and $12 per year for under 18 year olds. 50% pro rata for members who join from 1 July each year. Payment of the membership fee ensures insurance coverage for public liability, product liability and accident insurance. All those who work in the garden need to join as members, including children.
Membership entitles you to:
* participate in growing organic vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers
*meet and socialise with other like-minded people as well as share/gain gardening knowledge from other members
*learn about organic gardening, recycling, water and waste reduction, composting and other techniques associated with sustainable living
*participate in events for members and the wider community such as gardening groups, school and kindergarten visits, arts and cultural activities
*share the produce grown, which is distributed among those who work together in the garden at regular garden meets on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
GUIDELINES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Upon joining, the President will induct new members on their first day, introducing them to the operation of the garden, bed organisation, location of tools/equipment and health as well as health and safety procedures. Regular Garden Meetings are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 9.30am to 12 noon. As a shared garden, members work together on all parts of the garden.
MGP community gardeners are expected to attend at least 4 garden meets per year.
Gardeners need to wear enclosed shoes, bring their own gardening gloves, a hat and sun/insect protection as necessary.
Dogs and other animals are not permitted, except for registered companion animals. Dogs travelling through the garden must be on a leash at all times.
No alcohol is to be consumed at the garden unless a specific social occasion has been arranged.
The garden is a non-smoking area.
Children under 16 years need to be accompanied by a garden member at all times while on site. Parents and carers are responsible for the care of their children, grandchildren or those in their care while visiting the garden.
Refer also to MGP Members Guidelines below.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
MGP Community Garden Inc is managed by a committee of 7 members, elected each year by the members at an Annual General Meeting. There may also be teams working on specific projects or tasks eg co-ordination of watering roster. The Management Committee meets at least 3-4 times per year. Minutes are available to members upon request.
Committee members take responsibility for the following roles –
President – sets direction and maintains an overview of key developments at the garden, communicating regularly with members, organising working bees, inductions, health and safety, oversees composting
Vice President – fundraising, liaison with other community gardens and relevant community groups, assisting the President and assuming the duties of President in the President’s absence
Secretary – organises meetings and minutes, maintains membership, correspondence and website
Treasurer – manages community garden funds, banking and insurance
Garden Planning and Planting – plans seasonal crops, garden beds, crop rotation, seed saving and plant propagation
Education and Events – co-ordinating events, social activities and educational workshops for gardeners to share information and skills.
Garden Maintenance – mananging garden tools, supplies, storage, garden tidiness.
At present (August 2023) the Watering Roster is co-ordinated by a non-committee member in liaison with the committee.
Special Note: Two individual plots are currently allocated to gardeners whose participation pre-dated the formation of MGP Community Garden. These gardeners maintain their individual plots with their own materials and supplies, independent of the rest of the community garden. When these plot holders relinquish their plots, or on cessation of the gardener’s memberships, these plots will revert to the communal garden. No further individual plots will be allocated.
Gardeners are responsible for safe maintenance, upkeep and activation of the garden space for the enjoyment of the community. Each member needs to agree to the gardeners’ guidelines which set a common direction and shared values for the garden.
To enable us to continue functioning we also need to buy supplies such as soil, compost, fertiliser, seeds etc. For this we rely on membership fees and fundraising efforts of some very committed gardeners
MGP Members Guidelines
MGP community garden embraces sustainable, organic and bush-friendly philosophies while providing opportunities for:
- learning the principles of organic gardening
- sharing gardening knowledge with each other and the community
- teaching residents about recycling, water and waste reduction, composting and other techniques associated with sustainable living
- hosting events for the wider community such as gardening workshops, school and kindergarten visits, Neighbour Day events etc
- meeting and socialising with like-minded people, and
- sharing in the garden produce
- Garden members are expected to encourage healthy soils, companion planting, biodiversity and crop rotation to promote good plant health and natural pest and disease control.
- Garden members must observe efficient water use in the garden, incorporating techniques such as hand watering and mulching where possible. Sydney Water restrictions must be observed and complied with.
- Garden members are expected to prevent weed infestation without harming wildlife, and provide habitat for native fauna as appropriate.
- Garden members are responsible for establishing and maintaining a welcoming, encouraging, inclusive, friendly and respectful garden atmosphere.
- Everyone is encouraged to learn, share and participate safely in the pleasure of gardening. This includes people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Children may require friendly reminders to take care. Parents /carers are responsible for their children, grandchildren or those in their care. Parents/carers must be present to supervise children under the age of 12 years.
- Language used should be suitable for a family environment and never abusive, threatening or rude.
- Unless a specific social occasion has been arranged, alcohol is not to be consumed at the garden and smoking is not allowed.
- Gardeners are responsible to sign in and out when they work in the garden.
- As a communal /shared garden members work together on all parts of the garden. Produce will be shared among those members who participate in working together on the garden.
- Safety is important in the garden and needs to be in the forefront of gardeners minds at all times. The Co-ordinator will provide a safety orientation to new garden members on the first day. Garden members are expected to be mindful of keeping themselves and others safe. If you see a potential danger or experience a ‘near miss’, inform the Co-ordinator who will make a record for future action.
- A First Aid Kit is provided on site. Injuries must be attended to promptly and recorded in the First Aid register.
- Gardeners are responsible to keep the garden area tidy and hazard free. Tools, including hoses, should not be left on pathways. No electrical or motorised equipment is to be used without the permission of the Co-ordinator.
- Any disputes should be resolved amicably. If this is not possible they should be referred to the President or in writing to the Management Committee.