Introduction
The Heart & Soil People’s Garden is a community space that is committed to the empowerment and upliftment of community, women growers and women entrepreneurs. We are located in a food insecure neighborhood in Central Phoenix and work in collaboration with the USDA People’s Garden Initiative, Local First AZ and Phoenix Local Organizing Committee.
Grow Spaces
Heart and Soil has several grow spaces committed to the sustainability of three demographics through several partnerships; local families within a 3 mile radius, women growers in collaboration with BaeHive Women Beekeepers and Phoenix Local Organizing Committee. We are able to provide this important service to the community with the help of the Local First AZ, Phoenix Local Organizing Committee and USDA People’s Garden Initiative.
Heart and Soil agrees to provide it’s community growers on space with the following:
- A garden plot to grow produce, herbs and/or flowers for harvest by plot holders
- Access to water provided by an automatic irrigation system
- Access to basic garden tools such as shovels and rakes
- Compost bins and/or an area for disposal of garden waste
- Educational programs to assist new gardeners
- Social events to celebrate a community of gardeners
Heart & Soil Contacts:
Garden Director/ Lead Grower: Nika Forte’ | abcmecllc@gmail.com | 480-721-1141
Garden Assistant: Charlotte Goode | annsloan83@gmail.com | 623-226-9068
Lead Volunteer: Charlynn Forte’ | charlynnforte555@gmail.com | 623-277-0141
Lead Volunteer: Talibah Muhammad | mgt32phx@gmail.com | 623-419-9982
What you will have access to:
There are 14 grow rows available to women within the BaeHive Beekeeping Sisterhood and the women of the nonprofit Phoenix Local Organizing Committee (PHXLOC). In addition, there are another 10 grow rows set aside for families and community members within a 3 mile radius of the garden.
Perks included:
By being a grower on this space there will be training and resources provided for you which include but are not limited to the following:
Training:
- How to care for your plants
- What to plant and when
- How to propagate from clippings
- Building planter boxes
- Record keeping and crop rotation
- Women's self defense
- How to sell your produce at market
- How to market your business
Resources:
- Starter plants and/or seeds at the start of each season (depending on funds and availability)
- Growers resource library
- Sustainable watering system
- Access to reduced prices for events
- Access to set up at monthly Farmers Market on space and at GrassRootz Bookstore in downtown Phoenix (coming soon)
- Guidance and assistance with growing from lead instructors, assistant instructors, and lead volunteers.
You will be allowed to decorate your space with whatever markers you want. I plan on creating signs to number or identify each row. More community resources will be provided as we build collaborations with other organizations in the valley. Also, we are looking to apply for grants that will provide more funding and resources for growers on the space.
Training and resources provided by ABC Mobile Education Center LLC, Local First AZ, Health Zone AZ and other community members.
Cost of the Grow Rows
The cost of the grow spaces vary. The 14 rows available to the women within BaeHive and PHXLOC will pay $10 a month per row (billed quarterly) or an annual payment of $90. The 10 rows that are meant for local families will be sponsored by ABC Mobile Education Center, local businesses, community members and organizations. If you would like to learn more about becoming a sponsor and/or adopting a family, please feel free to reach out to us @ abcmecllc@gmail.com. Zelle pay at info@abcmec.org or 480-721-1141
As a grower on the space you agree to the following:
- I will take care of all tools provided and let staff know if something is broken and needs to be replaced
- I will return all tools to their proper place when done using them
- I will return all keys and locks to their proper place before leaving the property
- I will not share keys and/or access codes to the space with anyone without prior permission from garden staff
- I will not take tools and/or other materials from the location without proper authorization or permission
- I will keep my space and the space around my grow area neat, clean and free of weeds and grass.
- I will only harvest what I grow unless given permission by the responsible grower
- I will be respectful of the space and everyone who visits it
- If I see trash in the space I will pick it up
- I will do my best to help keep the space beautiful and thriving
- I will clean up after myself if I use the grill/sink or any other shared space on the property
- I will help my fellow growers when and how I can
- I will ask for help when needed
- I will make sure any waste I add to the compost area is properly placed and covered within the bin area
- I will make sure to maintain my space regularly or will forfeit my space if left unattended for a period of 30 days or longer without notification to staff and a plan for upkeep.
- I will check on my plot at least once a week
- I agree to not use any chemical pesticides or herbicides on the grow space at any time (if you are caught using any chemicals on the space that are not pre-approved by leads you will be asked to forfeit your grow row immediately, your plants will be removed and space covered for restoration)
- I agree to hold a safe space for all my fellow sister and treat them all respectfully
- I will sign in everytime I come to the garden
- I will attend monthly meetings or make arrangements to meet with garden staff to go over any information in meetings missed
Monthly activity schedule:
1st Saturday - Yoga with Brittany Nichelle
2nd Saturday - Breathwork & Tai Chi with Brother James 10am - 12pm
3rd Saturday - Open Air Market 1pm - 4pm
2nd & 4th Sundays - Community Volunteer Days (Times may vary)
Important dates:
Tuesday, March 21st USDA Designation Event
Charlotte's days and times:
Monday: 10 am - 1pm
Thursday: 10 am - 1 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 1 pm
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