“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Eleanor Roosevelt, activist
Market Gardening is briefly defined as growing, to sell, agricultural goods on a small amount
of land: with a goal of becoming profitable; or, at least, less dependent on outside charity.
For, community managed gardens; usually non-profit operations: creating a Market Garden
seeks make the urban garden more sustainable sustainable by increasing overall productivity.
This is done by using better methods; and by rewarding the work of the gardeners , through
cooperative shaaring of the work and rewards.
While gardening, is a pleasant outdoor hobby or pastime: it is also, a potential opportunity to
Improve the lower and moderate income peoples’ standard of living through entrepreneurial
labor. Through our community gardens we can directly improve our health; our stress levels;
our relations with neighbors; as well as; the bottom line of our wallets.
Especially; in this period of great economic stress: our Carrie McCracken TRUCE Garden needs
to improve its ability to pay for its upkeep. And, to maximize; it’s value to the community, as a
whole. With a strategy for Market gardening we begin to acknowledge that..
A purely non-profit and individualistic business model is unlikely to do succeed; on a level, approaching the cost ; of either: the lost taxes or other constructive uses that, the property on which the garden exists, could command in a fair market.
We, who say, we want this community garden to be preserved, need to keep in mind, the
Pure economic reality of the times. We need to be better prepared to defend ; on economic, and
Not just ecological and sociological terms, our endeavor. One; has only to look at recent cuts
to other social service; cultural; and municipal services ( due to budgetary contractions) to
see the a prudent course of action: is to become less reliant on government or private charity:
to fund the expense of our young community enterprise.
this is, in part why, last year; I began to campaign among the membership for a consensus to
apportion the garden’s space to permit the development of a Market Garden option for greater
participation. I’ve advertised for, and directly recruited cooperators for this project. And also
been gathering the needed tools, materials, and supplies to be able to start the transformation.
With support and faith from other key members; the groundwork was done, in a way, that
Provided more; not less, space for individual gardeners.
Now that the whole garden is substantially planted : I will convene a series of meetings to
explore the market gardening concept; meet with potential technical assistance providers; and
to give the willing members an opportunity to shape the next level of implementation. There is
no barrier to any Box Holder, also participating in the Market Garden’s development. In fact, I
believe, it will be a combination of individual and cooperative means of production; that will
make our community garden viable for the future.
I hope this project will receive continued and greater support from the membership: now that it is
On the verge of initiation. In the meantime; please, as with any garden matter, feel entitled to
speak with me directly: if you have questions and, or suggestions. I expect to be increasing my
on-site time in the garden shortly; and shouldn’t be hard to reach.
I would ask that you, first, take a look at some background information about the concept and
review some successful examples of market gardening. For instance:
http://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/marketgardening.html
http://www.littlecitygardens.com/
http://www.georgejonesfarm.org/operations/marketgardens.php
As with my initiation of this garden’s revival; I am focused but not inflexible in approach.
I don’t have all the answers: but I know and believe that ultimately access to the answers are
usually, just, a person ; a google search; and some honest conversations away.
Just don’t expect me to spoon feed you from the homework, I’ve had to do. People who come
only with questions and concerns: rarely contribute more than confusion to any progressive
movement. A harsh assessment: maybe: but, one born out of long experience, with this,
my neighborhood being last. Will you help us be first: in this?
Carrie McCracken TRUCE Community Garden 