AG- GROWERS PROGRAM PLOT AT FARM
Old Rucker Farm & Park • 900 Rucker Road Alpharetta, GA 30009-1931 Organized by Alpharetta Recreation Parks & Cultural Services DepartmentAbout this event
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Description
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The City of Alpharetta welcomes you to participate in the 2024 Community Agriculture Program. The City of Alpharetta’s Community Agriculture Program operates within the Community Services Division of the Recreation, Parks & Cultural Services Department. The mission of this program is to model and inspire the stewardship of natural resources through the use of sustainable practices, while connecting the community through growing food and nature-based education.
The Community Ag growing programs available for the 2024 growing season are either Home or Farm Plot growers, and you will choose between growing vegetables, flowers or both. You can grow vegetables or flowers in your home garden, vegetables or flowers in your plot at the farm, or for a little more investment you can grow both! Depending on what you enjoy, there is a program that fits you.
This program is for a Farm Plot
The Farm Plot Grower program is designed to help you grow fresh, organic fruits, vegetables and/or flowers in a raised bed plot at the Old Rucker Farm. All Farm Plot Grower beds for 2024 are located at Old Rucker Farm. For the 2024 Season, there will be 35 garden beds available, all 6’10” x 3’5”.
- Flower Growers will receive 20 seedlings and 5 seed packets through out the season for planting. All our flowers are grown from seed and grown specifically as cut flower varieties.
- Vegetable Growers will receive 20 seedlings and 10 seed packets through out the season for planting. All the vegetable seedlings are grown at the Farm from seeds.
- With this grower program you get both, the higher fee covers the additional supplies, such as trays, seed-starting soil mixtures and seeds.
All members will be invited to participate in the seed and plant distributions, have access to classes and workshops, and be informed about the events that take place throughout the year. The program fees go toward the costs of the program and are not tax deductible.
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN FARM PLOT GROWING PROGRAM:
Raised Bed
Soil
Water
Tools and wheelbarrows on site
Shed to store shared equipment
MEMBER'S RESPONSIBILITY:
- Annual program participation fee
- Completion of community service hours at the Farm, which may include scheduled work days or hosting an educational class for the community
- Maintaining current address, email and phone numbers with the Community Agriculture Coordinator
- If plot at the Farm you must have a clearly worked, weeded and harvested plot all growing season
SEED & PLANT PICKUP
March 5-16 Spring Seeds & Transplants
April 2-13 Summer Seeds & Transplants
Aug 27-Sept 7 Fall Seeds & Transplants
GARDEN POLICIES
In order to have an enjoyable community garden for all members, there needs to be a set of agreed upon standards of practice. The following policies were developed by the City of Alpharetta with the input of many community members. The policies will evolve as time goes on, and needs arise.
All gardeners are responsible for following the rules and being mindful of neighboring plots. Failure to follow these rules may cause you to forfeit your plot space and lose your priority to renew a future plot space the following season.
Please read through all of the following information and rules, as well as the policy enforcement below, before completing your application.
1. Registration for existing garden plot members will begin November 6, 2023. Registration for new members will begin November 13, 2023. If plots fill up, you will be placed on a wait list in the order your paid application is received.
2. Old Rucker Farm Community Garden is open 7 days per week during daylight hours.
3. Children are welcome and encouraged in the garden; and for their safety they must be accompanied by an adult and supervised at all times.
4. Please help us make the garden a peaceful place by leaving amplified music at home and observing quiet hours from 9 pm to 8 am so neighboring residents are not disturbed.
5. Gardeners are encouraged to add their garden cuttings and plant waste from this community garden to the designated compost area at the Old Rucker Farm. Please do not bring household or private yard waste to the farm.
6. The use of persistent pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers is strictly prohibited. If you have pests or diseased plants, please use OMRI-approved products or ask the farm team for recommendations.
7. Do not disturb other plots. This includes weeding or removing anything from a plot other than your own.
8. Harvest only from your assigned plot.
9. Pets are not allowed in the garden area unless they are service animals.
10. No invasive edible plants, such as mint, can be planted in the garden plots.
11. To conserve water, we ask that you cover your plot with mulch or hay to reduce evaporation.
12. No debris of any kind should be left on site. Please use the trash receptacles, recycling, and compost bins to dispose of any unwanted material.
13. All plots will be inspected periodically by the City of Alpharetta. Plots that have not been planted, are weedy, or do not meet the guidelines will be notified. Failure to respond within 14 days may result in forfeiture of the plot.
14. All plots must be harvested once they are mature. Please let the farm team know if you have any surplus fruits and vegetables that you cannot use. Old Rucker Farm works closely with NFCC to ensure available, edible food is provided to those in need within the community.
15. A set number of community service hours must be conducted to participate in the Community Agriculture Program. This is in addition to maintenance of your plot(s). This will be tracked closely by the Community Agriculture Coordinator. Four community work days are scheduled each calendar year. Members who do not complete and log community service hours will forfeit their ability to register for future plots. Members can also use the Sign-Up Genius link, located on the farm's website and social media pages to choose volunteer days that work for their schedule. The deadline to complete and report community service hours is October 19, 2024 for all members.
Farm Plot, Home and Cut Flower Program Requirements – Four (4) hours of community service time (per plot/member, per year).
16) Garden Work Days—For your convenience, specific days throughout the season will be designated as community service work days. Work days for 2024 are outlined below.
a. Garden Work Day 1: April 13, 2024, 9 am - 12 noon
b. Garden Work Day 2: June 8, 2024, 9 am - 12 noon
c. Garden Work Day 3: September 7, 2024, 9 am - 12 noon
d. Garden Work Day 4: October 19, 2024, 9 am - 12 noon
17) NOT ALLOWED in the garden include the following: marijuana cultivation, bee hives, tires, pressure-treated wood, barbed wire, smoking, loud music, selling produce, pets and heavy machinery.
18) Basic tools and wheelbarrows are kept in the onsite garden shed. These tools are for everyone’s use. Please place any tools you use back in the shed and lock everything up at night. The City of Alpharetta is not responsible for any lost, stolen or broken tools. Garden décor is welcome but the City of Alpharetta is not responsible for any lost or stolen décor pieces in your garden. Plants that are damaged due to weather, bugs, animals or plants that are stolen will not be replaced by the City of Alpharetta. Gardeners may also donate to the shed any tools they feel may be useful in the garden, but please note, anything left in the shed is for everyone’s use. Any missing or broken tools will not be replaced.
19) Completion of this application does not guarantee acceptance. After we receive the application and full payment, the application will be placed in queue, in the order received. Plots are awarded on a first-come basis, once both application and payment are submitted. Applicants will receive confirmation of plot approval via email. Signing of this application confirms receipt and payment of application, as well as commitment to follow through with this process.
20) You have 14 days after you have received your approval email to request a refund.
GARDEN ACCOUNTABILITY & POLICY ENFORCEMENT
The farm team regularly monitors the community garden plots throughout the year. Below outlines the steps and timeline of accountability when garden policies are not met.
1. If a participant is not following the garden policies, the farm team will send them a reminder email.
2. The participant will have two weeks (14 days) to respond and address the issue.
3. If there is no action after 14 days, the plot will be reassigned.
4. After a participant receives three reminders from the farm team in one season (Jan 1- Dec 31), their plot will be forfeited for the remainder of the year (forfeiture notification will come in a 4th email).
5. When a garden member's plot is forfeited, it will be automatically reassigned to the next person on the wait-list.
Age Group
Adult
Location
900 Rucker Road, Alpharetta, GA 30004