February,  2017
Take a look at our progress!

MISSION STATEMENT: The Coalition of Community Gardens is a network of community gardens and other allied entities who partner to support the success of community gardening by sharing knowledge, resources, experience; support public policies; and increase community gardening in the West Central Florida area.   
Who are members of the Coalition of Community Gardens?
All community gardens in the west central Florida area (Tampa Bay area) are encouraged to be a member of the Coalition of Community Gardens.

Community Gardens who have operated successfully for 3 or more years in the West Central Florida area are Mentor Members of the Coalition of Community Gardens.

Business and professionals are welcome as affiliate members of the Coalition.

Link to the current list of participating community gardens.
Progress? We are making progress in the following goals:
Forming a network:
  • applying for 501c3 status, funded by the challenge grant
  • gardens are completing a spreadsheet of resources at each garden
  • added another garden-member, Sulphur Springs Community Garden
  • Seeking a funding partner - met with the Sustany Foundation
  • quarterly meetings are well attended...click here for notes from our last meeting.

Promoting Community Gardens:

  • working closely with the Healthiest Cities-Counties Challenge (HCCC) Grant partners to gather data on food access, health factors, community descriptors to develop the model to be used to improve community gardening
  • have a table for the Coalition at Eco-Fest at Lowry Park, April 22
  • established a relationship with a graphic designer who is developing a new and improved logo for us....and a banner for Eco-Fest
  • each garden will hold some type of event/celebration/open house on that same weekend and we will advertise that as a group!!

Identifying potential new community gardens:

  1. Met with Extreme Life Ministries in Orient Park 
  2. hosted members of a Church in Ybor City, visiting the Tampa Hts.Community Garden
  3. Mango-Seffner Library Community Garden.  Meeting to be held soon - who wants to volunteer to be a mentor for this garden? 

Link to Additional Resources

Take a look at us!
Coalition of Community Gardens