Contact: The Greening of Detroit: greeningofdetroit.com
313.237.8733
Services offered:
Build a Garden program
Workforce training
Grow, Eat, Move classes
Farm Apprenticeships program
Land Forum resource fair
School and community nutrition classes
Youth employment and leadership development
Community engagement
Vacant land restoration
Tree planting
WHAT ASSISTANCE DO YOU OFFER FOR PEOPLE OR GROUPS INTERESTED IN STARTING AN URBAN AGRICULTURE PROJECT? WHAT TYPES OF PROJECTS (FARM, COMMUNITY GARDEN, MARKET GARDEN, HOUSEHOLD GARDEN) CAN YOU WORK WITH?
The Greening of Detroit is committed to increasing Detroiters' access to chemical-free, locally grown fruits and vegetables. We sell produce at the local farmer's markets throughout the city, and at our farm in Eastern Market. We also donate more than half the food we produce to community food banks and soup kitchens.
The Urband Agriculture team serves as a recource for individuals, families, community grups. ad schoos intereste din growng ffood. We provide gardening expertise, education, raised beds, compost, and transplants throughout Build a Garden program. Nutrtion education classes are also available to schools, public housing sites, and community groups.
HOW CAN GROWERS ACCESS YOUR SERVICES? IS THERE A SPECIFIC STAFF PERSON TO CONTACT? WHAT ROUTE OF ACCESS DO YOU PREFER (REFERRALS, PEOPLE ALREADY ENGAGED WITH YOUR ORGANIZATION IN OTHER WAYS, SOMEONE SIMPLY CONTACTING YOU ON THEIR OWN, SOMETHING ELSE)?
The Build a Garden program is available to residents of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland park. Growers can contact the Greening directly by phone at 313-237-8733, through our website at www.greeingofdetroit.com, or by stopping in the office at 1418 Michigan Avenue in Detroit. Folks are also welcome to message us through The Greening's Facebook page.
WHERE SHOULD GROWERS BE IN THE PROCESS WHEN THEY CONTACT YOU?
The Greening's main objective is to support beginner gardeners. The Build a Garden gives Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park residents the opportunity to create a garden. Compost soil and two raised beds are provided to Build a Garden members for just $25. Assistance is also available for garden design and crop selection. The Greening also has shovels, rakes, and wheelbarrows available through a community tool bank.
WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS CAN YOU NOT TAKE ON DUE TO FUNDING RESTRICTIONS, YOUR SCOPE OF SERVICE, A LACK OF FIT WITH YOUR MISSION, STAFF AVAILABILITY, ETC.? TO WHOM WOULD YOU REFER IN THAT CASE?
The Greening does not have the capacity to maintain people's individual gardens, although resources, information and expertise are available for growers and the community at large. A wide range of classes on growing, food preparation, cooking, nutrition, garden maintenance, etc. are offered throughout the season.
The Greening is capable of handling larger garden/farm or green infrastructure projects but these may need to be fee-for-service work, or funded through an additional grant.
WHAT KIND OF LEAD TIME, IF ANY, CAN PEOPLE EXPECT BETWEEN WHEN THEY CONTACT YOU AND WHEN YOU CAN BEGIN WORKING WITH THEM?
Once a Build a Garden application is submitted, the gardener will be contacted within two weeks. All participants are required to attend an orientation session before the garden is installed. There are several orientation dates scheduled during the spring season to ensure timely installation.
WHAT FEES DO YOU CHARGE FOR YOUR SERVICES?
The Build a Garden program is $25 per year. This includes compost, raised beds, garden expertise and direction, and free Grow, Eat, Move classes. These classes are also open to the community for $5 per class.
WHAT ELSE SHOULD PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOUR ORGANIZATION?
Greening of Detroit is the major tree-planting organization in the city. The Greening's Community Relations team works with neighborhood groups to engage residents in the tree planting efforts, and in visioning repurposed vacant land into healthy, green spaces. The Greening's adult workforce training program gives unemployed and under-employed Detroiters a second chance. Summer youth employment is also offered to Detroit Public School students, providing them with skills, knowledge and job experience. Many go on to college to pursue green careers, such as agriculture, forestry civil engineering, and environmental science.
The Greening of Detroit's scope of work has grown significantly since its inception almost 28 years ago. For more information about our work, visit www.greeningofdetroit.com.