The Rules & Policies of the Prospect Heights Community Farm were approved by garden members at the organization’s March 2009 meeting.
RULES & POLICIES OF
PROSPECT HEIGHTS COMMUNITY FARM
BOX RULES
Individual Boxes
- Box-holders are expected to actively maintain their plots.
- Box-holding members who do not till their plots by May 1st each year risk losing their plots.
- Box-holders must weed the walkway around their plots.
- Trees are not permitted in individual boxes.
- Members are not allowed to work in another member’s planting area or harvest their crops without prior approval of that member.
- Members who are unable to harvest their crops are asked to make arrangements with other garden members or contact the Coordinator(s) so that harvestable crops are not wasted.
Communal Boxes & Other Gardening Areas
(Communal beds are available for group tending – see garden Coordinator(s) for more info).
- Children may garden in the children’s beds (at the back, by the compost bins) however they must be supervised by adults.
- Members are not allowed to harvest crops from another member’s planting area without first seeking the approval of that member.
- Picking flowers from the communal areas of the garden is not allowed, although members wishing to grow flowers for personal harvest in their own boxes may do so.
- The herb garden is available for general harvesting, however please take only what you need and leave enough for others.
GARDENING & GROUNDKEEPING RULES
- Non-organic pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers shall not be used in the garden.
- Communal tools are available in the shed at the back of that garden but must be returned to the shed when not in use, otherwise they will rust and become unusable.
- Garden scraps or weeds can be added to the compost pile but should be broken down/chopped up before being added. Correct compost etiquette should also be followed (scraps should be turned into the pile, browns added on top).
- Structural additions or alterations to any portion of the garden are subject to the approval of the Garden Board before proceeding with plans (this would include pruning, major plant removal, changing of communal bed boundaries, etc.).
- All ornamentation not pertaining directly to gardening activities is subject to Garden Board approval before installation in or around the garden.
- Each season all members are required to fulfill a certain number of service hours involved in the operation and maintenance of the garden – e.g. open hours, filling water barrels, picking up garbage, tending the compost, clearing paths of weeds and debris, weeding communal spaces, as well as non-gardening tasks, such as planning for special events, mailings, meetings, committees, fundraising, capital planning.
OPEN HOURS & GATE/ACCESS RULES
- In keeping open hours a member must keep the gate open and put the sign out notifying that the garden is open for visitors.
- When in the garden outside of open hours, members are encouraged to leave the entrance gate open while in the garden, but this is not required.
- The gate must be locked when a member is not present.
- Members under 18 years old are requested to lock the gate behind them when they enter alone, for safety issues.
- For safety reasons, members are asked to not allow underage (less than 16 yrs. old) family members in the garden alone.
- If you are the last person in the garden, you must lock the gate when you leave. (Please double check to make sure you do not lock anyone inside the garden!)
PETS
- Member pet owners who wish to bring their animals to the garden must register their animals by signing a Pet Owner Agreement (available on the listserve website and in the garden) and file this with the Coordinator(s). This indicates the pet owner officially agrees to the policies stated in the Pet Owner Agreement.
- Only registered pets will be allowed in the garden.
- Visitor (non-member) pets are not permitted in the garden.
- Any animals used as seeing-eye dogs or as service-animals are welcome in the garden without registration.
EVENTS
- Anyone hosting an event in the garden must fill out an Event Application (available on the listerve website and in the garden) and submit this to the Coordinator(s) at least two weeks prior to the event. Once an event is approved, the Coordinator(s) will update a calendar posted in the garden.
- The garden may not be used for private parties (members and the public are always welcome).
- Alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited in and near the garden.
- Excessive noise or disorderly conduct in and near the garden is not permitted at any time out of respect for our neighbors.
VIOLENCE IN THE GARDEN
- Physical violence or verbally threatening another member is cause for immediate expulsion.
- If a person walks away from a verbal dispute and the other person follows in a threatening or menacing manner this can be viewed as a threat.
- Other examples of threats are saying such things as “You better watch it or else” are similar examples of verbal suggestions of violence.
- In the event of a conflict both sides in a conflict must meet the Garden Board for mediation.
- If a person has a complaint against another garden member they must bring the complaint before the Garden Board.
- If a member refuses to meet or makes him or herself unavailable for discussion they face a $25 fine or one-month suspension from the garden.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
- Members concerned with the observance of any and all garden rules and policies as they apply to themselves or to other members should contact the Garden Board to resolve any questions.
- Members concerned that another member may require discipline for breaking any of the above rules or policies should formally contact one of the garden Coordinators in writing with their complaint.