Central Okanagan Community Gardens Society

- Our Vision –

"Gardens Grow Healthy Communities"

- Our Mission –

To help neighborhoods and communities
create sustainable green spaces
for gardening, food production, gathering and education.

- Goals and Objectives –

1. Location Goal
COCG will facilitate the development of stable and accessible community garden sites in a variety of locations to meet community needs.

Objectives:
A) To develop up to two garden sites each year.
B) To maintain those sites already established.

2. Awareness Goal
COCG will increase the community awareness of the benefits of community gardens.

Objective:
A) To increase awareness amongst our target groups :
i) public
ii) decision makers
iii) funders/sponsors
iv) users/clients/members
v) schools

3. Food Security Goal
The Gardens will contribute to food security* in the Central Okanagan.

Objectives:

A) To increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables.
B) To encourage people experiencing food insecurity to participate.
C) To encourage growing practices that are sustainable and environmentally responsible.
D) To donate food surpluses to people experiencing food insecurity and the agencies that serves them.

* as defined by the Central Okanagan Food Coalition

4. Community Building Goal
We will seek to involve a variety of user groups for the gardens.

Objectives:
A) To attract and accommodate a variety of people; for example:
- People without access to land
- People living with disabilities
- Seniors
- Teens/children
- Families and individuals
- People of all cultural backgrounds
B) To provide related educational opportunities; for example:
- Nutrition
- Cooking/preserving
- Growing (IPM [Integrated Pest Management], organic)
- Composting
- Seed saving
- Starting your own community garden
- Sustainability (gardens, agriculture, food choices)

5. Partnerships Goal
We will form strong partnerships in the community in order to develop, maintain, and expand community garden initiatives.

Objectives:
A) To form partnerships with key target groups:
1) City
2) Regional district
3) Community agencies
4) Residents
5) Neighbors to garden site
6) Funders
7) … and welcome new partnerships as opportunities arise

B) Evaluate partnerships regularly for effectiveness.

6. Operational Goal:
We will manage our affairs in a transparent and ethical manner consistent with our vision and goals, while respecting the diverse needs and values of our partners and participants.

Objective:
A) To develop a structure and regulations that supports the needs of the community.