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Washington State University

Community Gardens Resources

WSU Whatcom County Extension – Free Diagnostic Plant Clinic
Bring sections of diseased plants or pest problems in closed plastic bags for diagnosis and advice.
M-F, 9am-Noon & 1-4pm • 600 Dupont Street, Suite A, Bellingham, WA 98225 • (360) 778-5811 • mg.whatcom@wsu.edu

Fruit Handbook for Western Washington

Tree Pruning Presentation

 

Raised Bed Gardening

WSU Raised Bed Fact Sheet
Building a Raised Bed – Video

Beneficial Insects Factsheet

Pest Control in Home Vegetable Gardens

Bellingham Food Bank – Garden Project Growing Guide

 

General Information on Community Gardening

American Community Gardening Association

Seattle’s Pea Patch Gardens Program

Portland, Oregon Community Gardens Program

Vancouver, B.C. demonstration garden

Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington

University of Maine cooperative Extension Bulletin # 4300
“Organizing Your Community Garden”

Enterprise Foundation’s Neighborhood Green Guide for Community-Based Organization

National Gardening Association

 

Funding Resources and Information

Possible funding sources for the materials and labor needed to set up your community garden space are linked below. Some local sources are also available. Check into the following:

Neighborhood Associations

Post the list of materials and special skills needed to develop your garden space in printed and electronic versions of your neighborhood newsletter, and on your neighborhood website, along with a request for donations of those materials and skilled and non-skilled labor.

Local Businesses

Write a letter requesting specific donations along with a one-page description of the project to present to local businesses. You can request a full or partial (wholesale cost) donation of materials or a small monetary donation. Be sure to have a method to publicly thank the businesses such as a neighborhood newsletter article, a sign posted at the community garden, and/or thank you ads posted on the neighborhood website.

National or Regional Corporations

Local branches of large corporations have established “Giving Programs.” These include the Cherry Point industries, Costco, Walmart and other commercial stores. Once or twice a year they accept requests for monetary assistance for community projects. Contact each corporation for specific information on their schedule and the format and detail of information you need to provide. These companies also appreciate recognition for their donations.

Whatcom Community Foundation is a public charitable organization created to enrich the quality of life for all residents of Whatcom County, Washington. WCF is both a grantmaker and a vehicle for donors to accomplish their philanthropic dreams.

World Hunger Year Food Security Learning Center

The National Gardening Association awards grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs. This site offers details about various awards.

KidsGardening

The Foundation Directory includes corporate and private foundations that give grants.

US Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant: The Community Development Block Grant program provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs.

USDA Community Foods Project Grants is a program to fight food insecurity through developing community food projects that help promote the self-sufficiency of low-income communities.

USEPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program: the purpose of this grant program is to support and empower communities that are working on local solutions to local environmental and/or public health issues.

Contact Information
For more information, contact Beth Chisholm, CFG Coordinator, at: beth.chisholm@wsu.edu

Master Gardener Program

Cultivating plants, people and communities since 1973.

 

Program Contact:

Beth Chisholm, Program Coordinator
(360) 778-5811
beth.chisholm@wsu.edu

Program Priorities Map

Helpful Resources:

 

Upcoming Events:

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, some events may be postponed or cancelled.

Partial map of Hovander Gardens

Hovander Demonstration Gardens Brochure