Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/13

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences included urban, low-income, multicultural communities and elementary and middle schools that demonstrate a high participation rate in the federal free and reduced lunch program (exceeding 50%). New garden sites included: Lakewood/Dry Gulch Park (West Colfax Community Urban Garden), Maxwell Elementary (Jardin de Esperanza at Maxwell Elementary School), Morey Middle School (Morey Middle School Community Garden), the Renaissance at Lowry Boulevard (Lowry Family Community Garden), Samuels Elementary (Samuels Elementary School Community Garden), Jefferson High School (Saints Community Garden at Jefferson High School), the Learning Source (Cityscape Community Garden at Belmar), Eiber Elementary (Eiber Elementary School Community Garden), the Horse Barn/Posner Center For International Development (Horse Barn Demonstration Community Garden), Little Elementary (Little Sprouts Community Garden), McMeen Elementary (McMeen School Community Garen), North Middle School, Mountain View/Elliot Cottages (The Gardens at Mountain View Towers/Elliott Cottages), and Belmar Groves (Belmar Groves Community Garden). Efforts designed to cause a change in knowledge, actions, or conditions included numerous on-site design workshops with students and community members, experiential learning for students including measuring and staking sites, planting, site construction, and community outreach and classes on basic organic gardening, organic pest and weed control, edible weeks, cool season crops and seasonal and companion planting. The vast majority of these classes occurred in community garden settings. Changes/Problems:A minor change was reported in the Annual Report. This was a shift from the original goal of ten new community gardens in 2012 and four new community gardens in 2013 to seven new gardens established in 2012 and seven new gardens established in 2013. This shift occurred for a couple of reasons: one early proposed site's free and reduced numbers did not meet the criteria originally stated in the grant proposal and the other proposed site was unable to demonstrate community readiness due to losing organizational support from their respective agency. No other changes occurred, and all fourteen gardens are successfully thriving, providing community gardening, increasing food security and resources for each participating community. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Ongoing training and professional development occurred throughout the project. Educators participated in Helping Kids Get Healthy workshops which rotated through seasonally appropriate curriculum opportunities such as seed starting in the classroom with grow labs and nutrition lessons on engaging students in the process of discovering ways of incorporating fruits and vegetables into their daily diets. Additional workshops included plot planning, companion and succession planting, and designing garden environments that are engaging for youth. Extended summer workshops provided a foundation of growing practices to help educators build confidence and skills. All workshops are based on Colorado Academic Standards for science and comprehensive health and are garden-based. This training and professional development was geared toward students, educators, and those wanted to work with students in the school-based community garden. In addition to educator workshop opportunities, volunteer garden leadership teams received training in best practices in garden management. Gardeners received training in planting and cultivating seasonally appropriate crops and nutrition based classes. Participation in Master Community Gardener and Master Composter programs as well as the Free Seeds and Transplants program ensures that community members continue to sustain these gardens years after the grant-funding period. Finally, Master Gardeners from CSU Extension provided complementary onsite complementary horticultural programming. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dissemination outlets to reach community audiences included DUG publications (The Underground News, the Educational Carrot, monthly garden leader updates) and resources such as Thursday Folders (weekly school folders containing parent information), churches, recreation centers, neighborhood associations, libraries, local agencies, health departments, interfaith groups, flyering neighborhoods, and even bulletin boards at local grocers. Classes and educator workshops provided educational print material, including curriculum for teachers. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The Metro Denver People's Garden Grant engaged, educated, empowered and elevated communities through community gardening. This was achieved through changes in conditions: physical infrastructure improvements at each site, Institutional infrastructure enhancements, information resources, increased food supply and laying the foundation for reduced obesity and improved nutrition and health. Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) established a total of fourteen new, community-led produce-focused community gardens in under-served, food-insecure neighborhoods in Denver and Jefferson Counties. Sites reported on in the interim Annual Report, November 30, 2012 included: Lakewood/Dry Gulch Park, Maxwell Elementary, Morey Middle School, the Renaissance at Lowry Boulevard, Samuels Elementary, Jefferson High School, and The Learning Source. By the end of the project in August 31, 2013 an additional seven community gardens were established at Eiber Elementary (Jefferson County Public Schools), the Horse Barn/Posner Center for International Development (Denver Housing Authority), Little Elementary (Jefferson County Public Schools), McMeen Elementary (Denver Public Schools), North Middle School (Aurora Public Schools), Mountain View/Elliot Cottages (Denver Housing Authority), and Belmar Groves (Metro West Housing Solutions). Each new community garden continues to contribute to residents' increased perception of neighborhood safety (Tieg, 2009, p.1117) and a reduction in violent and non-violent crime in the neighborhood (ACGA, 2009, p. 41). Additionally, each community garden established by the end of August 2013 served an under-resourced population; when located at schools, the percentage of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch exceeded 50%; when located at sites owned by a housing authority, participants were documented to qualify for subsidized housing. As appropriate, the programming at each site reflected the primary audience (e.g. students and teachers, children and families, etc.) Each school site received support to establish a garden to cafeteria/farm to school program. Notably, the community garden at North Middle School served as a pilot site to test garden to cafeteria and subsequently expand the program to other schools in the Aurora Public School District. Students, with the support of parents and teachers, led the Youth Farm Stand program and sold their home-grown vegetables to teachers, parents, and nearby neighbors. The produce that the students grew was supplemented with produce grown by Colorado farmers along the Front Range. The garden at Eiber Elementary also served to connect volunteers from to garden to the school's literacy program; this partnership was duplicated by Samuels Elementary as well. Multiple teachers attended the Helping Kids Get Healthy educator workshops provided garden-based curriculum aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards for science and comprehensive health. Other on-site classes provided handouts illustrating the community-requested relevant topic. Volunteer garden leadership teams received a comprehensive handbook surveying best practices in garden management. Prior to the establishment of fourteen new community gardens, on-site food production was absent. With the advent of each garden, community gardeners planted and harvested their produce. For gardens established in late summer, gardeners received guidance in planting and cultivating cool-season crops. Colorado School of Public Health research found that 80% of community gardeners in Denver gardened as children (Litt, J.S., et al., 2012) and that community gardens positively influence a community gardener's daily intact of fruits and vegetables; on average 56% of community gardeners consume their daily five fruits and vegetables compared to 25% of non-gardeners (Litt, 2011, p. 1466). These suggest that gardening at a young age, and community gardening, are deeply impactful. This is a step in obesity reduction and improved nutrition and health (ACGA, 2009). Promoting Community Gardening Through Research: A Survey. Community Greening Review, 41. Litt, Jl, Soobader, M., Turbin, M., Hal, J., Buchenau, M., and Marshall, J. (2011). The influence of social involvement, neighborhood aesthetics, and community garden participation on and vegetable consumption. American Journal of Public Health, 101 (8), 1466-1473 (2011). Litt, J.S., et al., Community Gardens in the City: A Characterization of Denver's Garden Infrastructure, Awareness, Use, and Practices (Manuscript in preparation, 2012). Teig, E., Amulya, J., Buchenau, M., Bardwell, L., Marshall, J., & Litt, J.S. (2009) Collective Efficacy in Denver, Colorado: Strengthening Neighborhoods and Health through Community Gardens. Health and Place 15, 1115-1122.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: htthttp://jeffcoweb.jeffco.k12.co.us/communications/messenger/archive/2013-2014/2013.10.02/index.html
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Litt, J.S., Soobader, M., Turbin, M.S., Hale, J., Buchenau, M., Marshall, J.A. The influences of social involvement, neighborhood aesthetics and community garden participation on fruit and vegetable consumption. The American Journal of Public Health. 101 (2011) 1466-1473.

Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: DUG established seven new, community-led, produce-focused community gardens in under-served, food-insecure neighborhood in Denver and Jefferson Counties. New sites include Lakewood/Dry Gulch Park, Maxwell Elementary, Morey Middle School, the Renaissance at Lowry Boulevard, Samuels Elementary, Jefferson High School, and The Learning Source. These collaborations encompass the Metro Denver People's Garden Program's overarching goals: to engage, educate, empower and elevate communities through community gardening. Within the first year, the majority of the goals and objectives were met for each site - with some objectives integrated into the second year. Goal A, Engage Local Residents and Community Partners, was implemented across all sites. DUG, through the micro-subgranting process, worked with communities to determine readiness to establish and sustain a community garden. DUG conducted multiple meetings at proposed garden sites. Each site identified areas of interest and requested site-based classes. Classes and workshops occurred in 2012 and are planned for 2013. Goal B, Educate and Empower Participants to Build Community, was widely achieved. DUG strategized with leadership at each site to integrate the garden into the social culture. DUG provided numerous classes, design workshops and educator workshops. Volunteer garden leadership has been recruited at each site and will be invited to DUG's annual Garden Leader Symposium. All garden leaders and gardeners have been invited to participate in the 2013 Master Community Gardener and Master Composter programs. Due to the timing of applications for the Master Composter and Master Community Gardener programs, many gardeners were unable to apply in 2011, but will be able to in 2012. CSU Extension staff and master gardeners committed to teaching classes at garden sites in 2013. Goal C, Elevate Community Health and Nutrition, was broadly met. Seven new community-led community gardens were established; seven more will be in 2013. DPS sites plan to participate in Garden to Cafeteria; JPS sites are currently unable to due to district restrictions. DUG will work with sites established in 2012 to launch produce donation programs in 2013. Goal D, Create Models of Sustainability, was congruently implemented with Goal A. Diverse stakeholder engagement is inherent in substantiating community readiness. DUG partnered with communities to secure long-term garden sites and Use Agreements with property owners. DUG taught multiple science and nutrition garden-based classes. The majority of sites participated in the Free Seeds & Transplants program and plans to do so again in 2013. Dissemination outlets to reach intended audiences include DUG publications (The Underground News, the Educational Carrot, and monthly garden leader updates) and resources such as Thursday Folders (weekly school folders containing parent information), churches, recreation centers, neighborhood associations,, libraries, local agencies, health departments, interfaith groups, flyering neighborhoods, and even bulletin boards at local grocers. Classes and educator workshops provided educational print material, including curriculum for teachers. PARTICIPANTS: The following individuals have worked on the Metro Denver People's Garden Grant: Brubaker, Cheryl - DUG Controller - Directed DUG's budget and financially coordinated the distribution of 14 micro-subgrants Buchenau, Michael - DUG Executive Director - Lead design workshops, drafted site plans, managed and reviewed construction Elliott, Judy - DUG Community Empowerment and Education Coordinator - Taught educator workshops, on-site trainings Flamon, Lavell - Construction Volunteer Coordinator - works alongside volunteer residents to build the garden on community workdays Martin, Dustin - DUG Construction Manager - Oversaw community garden construction and works Romer, Jessica - DUG Community Initiatives Coordinator - Oversaw the Free Seeds and Transplants programs, taught educator workshops, worked with schools to integrate science and nutrition curriculum and youth programming Spurlock, Shannon - DUG Community Initiatives Coordinator - worked with communities to conduct outreach and create and establish new community gardens Partner organizations include Denver Parks and Recreation, Groundwork Denver, West Colfax Association of Neighbors, Denver Public Health, Maxwell Elementary, Morey Middle School, Samuels Elementary, Denver Public Schools, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, Jefferson High School, Jeffco Public Schools, the Learning Source, the Alameda Gateway Foundation, LiveWell Wheat Ridge, Slaterpaull Architects,Mile High Youth Corp, Metro Community Provider Network Americorps, Faith Christian High School School, CU Volunteer Resource Center, and Whole Foods. Professional development includes participation by educators in three Helping Kids Get Healthy Workshops. In January 2012, the workshop covered seed starting in the classroom with grow labs and included a nutrition lesson on engaging students in the process of discovering ways of incorporating fruits and vegetables into their daily diets. The March 2012 workshop covered plot planning, companion and succession planting, and designing a garden environment engaging for youth; it also included a complementary nutrition lesson about the plant parts that make up the human diet. In July 2012, the workshop covered basic organic gardening for youth educators; this was an extended summer workshop intended to provide a foundation of growing practices to help educators build confidence and skills. All workshops are based on Colorado Academic Standards for science and comprehensive health and are garden-based. All teachers at Maxwell Elementary attended an all-school training on seed starting and integrating garden-based education into their respective class/grade. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences for the Metro Denver People's Garden Grant include urban, low-income, multicultural communities and elementary schools that demonstrate a high participation rate in the free and reduced Lunch program. New community garden sites include: Lakewood/Dry Gulch Park, Maxwell Elementary, Morey Middle School, the Renaissance at Lowry Boulevard, Samuels Elementary, Jefferson High School (JHS), and The Learning Source. Each garden is community-led and located in an underserved, food-insecure neighborhood. Lakewood/Dry Gulch Park is in the West Colfax neighborhood whose neighborhood elementary schools (Cheltenham and Colfax) report a participation rate of 96% and 93% respectively in the free and reduced lunch program. 78% of the neighborhood identifies as Latino. Maxwell Elementary, in the Montebello neighborhood, reports 93% of students eligible for free and reduced lunch. 96% of the students are minorities. Morey Middle School, in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, reports 53% of students eligible to receive free and reduced lunch. 64% of the students are minorities. The Renaissance at Lowry Boulevard, housing for homeless and low-income families, is located in the Lowry Field neighborhood and is owned and operated by Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. The neighborhood elementary school (Lowry) has a participation rate of 38% in the free and reduced lunch program. Additionally, the Lowry Field neighborhood enjoys higher average incomes than the rest of Denver and a lower poverty rate. In this environment, the Renaissance is an anomaly and a critical asset for those who are unable to afford the very basics in life. The residents are an at-risk population (as defined by the Minnesota Department of Health). Samuels Elementary, in the Hampden South neighborhood, reports 76% of students eligible to receive free and reduced lunch. 78% of the students are minorities. Located in the City of Edgewater, Jefferson High School (JHS) has an eligibility rate of 87% for the free and reduced lunch program. Neighborhood elementary schools (Lumberg and Edgewater) have respective eligibility rates of 93% and 92% for the free and reduced lunch program. Lumberg Elementary is across the street from JHS. 87% of the students at JHS are minorities. Located the City of Lakewood, The Learning Source is an adult and family literacy center. 85% of the students at the neighborhood elementary school (Deane) qualify for free and reduced lunch, and another elementary (Stein), equidistant from The Learning Source, has an eligibility rate of 93%. Efforts designed to cause a change in knowledge, actions, or conditions include numerous on-site design workshops with students and community members, experiential learning for students including measuring and staking sites, planting, site construction, and community outreach and classes on basic organic gardening, organic pest and weed control, edible weeds, cool season crops and seasonal and companion planting. The vast majority of these classes have occurred in the community garden. It is anticipated that gardens established in 2012 will have more classes in 2013. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: There were no major change in approach to the Metro Denver People's Garden Grant. A minor change includes shifting the original goal from nine new community gardens in 2012 and five new community gardens in 2013 to seven new gardens in 2012 and seven new gardens in 2013. This shift occurred for a couple reasons: one early proposed site's free and reduced numbers did not meet the criteria originally stated in the grant proposal and the other proposed site was unable to demonstrate community readiness due to losing organizational support from their respective agency.

Impacts
The Metro Denver People's Garden Grant engages, educates, empowers and elevates communities through community gardening. This was achieved through changes in conditions: physical infrastructure improvements at each site, institutional infrastructure enhancements, information resources, increased food supply and laying the foundation for reduced obesity and improved nutrition and health. Seven new community gardens converted previously underutilized and fallow ground into transformative community spaces. Each new community garden contributes to residents' increased perception of neighborhood safety (Tieg, 2009, p. 1117) and a reduction in violent and non-violent crime in the neighborhood (ACGA, 2009, p. 41). Jeffco Public Schools' adopted an inclusive approach to community gardening, evidenced by the joint Use Agreement with DUG, a direct result of locating a community garden at Jefferson High School. Maxwell Elementary demonstrated a shift in institutional infrastructure by adopting a school-wide approach to garden-based education for each classroom and grade; this is evidenced by mandatory teacher attendance at training on seed starting and science- and nutrition-based garden education. Information resources were widely distributed. The Helping Kids Get Healthy educator workshops provided garden-based curriculum aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards for science and comprehensive health. Other on-site classes provided handouts illustrating the relevant topic. Volunteer garden leadership teams received a comprehensive handbook surveying best practices in garden management. Prior to the establishing seven new community gardens, on-site food production was absent. With the advent of each garden, gardeners planted and harvested their produce. For gardens established in late summer, gardeners received guidance in planting and cultivating cool-season crops. Colorado School of Public Health research found that 80% of community gardeners in Denver gardened as children (Litt, J.S., et al., 2012) and that community gardens positively influence a community gardener's daily intake of fruits and vegetables; on average 56% of community gardeners consume their daily five fruits and vegetables compared to 25% of nongardeners (Litt, 2011, p. 1466). These suggest that gardening at a young age and community gardening are deeply impactful. This is a step in obesity reduction and improved nutrition and health. ACGA, 2009. Promoting Community Gardening Through Research: A Survey. Community Greening Review, 41. Litt, J., Soobader, M., Turbin, M., Hale, J., Buchenau, M., & Marshall, J. (2011). The influence of social involvement, neighborhood aesthetics, and community garden participation on and vegetable consumption. American Journal of Public Health, 101 (8), 1466 - 1473. Litt, J.S., et al., Community gardens in the city: A characterization of Denver's garden infrastructure, awareness, use, and practices (Manuscript In preparation, 2012). Teig, E., Amulya, J., Buchenau, M., Bardwell, L., Marshall, J., & Litt, J.S. (2009) Collective efficacy in Denver, Colorado: Strengthening neighborhoods and health through community gardens. Health and Place, 15, 1115-1122.

Publications

• No publications reported this period