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Community garden 1. MU Extension developed the Community Gardening Toolkit to help those wanting to establish community gardens. Photo courtesy of Tamra Reall, MU Extension horticulturist. -
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Community garden 2. Community gardens turn access to land into an opportunity for participation, leadership and connection throughout Missouri. Photo courtesy of Tamra Reall, MU Extension horticulturist. -
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Community garden 3. Community gardens are flourishing as people come together to improve their health through physical activity and access to nutritious food, says Jo Britt Rankin, MU Extension professional in health and human sciences. Photo courtesy of Tamra Reall, MU Extension horticulturist.
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Community gardens are thriving across Missouri by pairing shared land with shared purpose, but long-term success requires more than good intentions.
To support communities beyond startup enthusiasm, University of Missouri Extension has developed the Community Gardening Toolkit, says Bill McKelvey, senior project coordinator and author of the publication, which is available for free download.
Grounded in research and real-world experience, the toolkit offers practical guidance for organizing gardeners, defining roles and responsibilities and establishing structures that support inclusive, productive gardens over time, McKelvey says. From rural towns to small cities and urban neighborhoods, the guide provides a flexible framework that communities across Missouri can adapt to their local needs, he says.
Shared land and community stewardship
“When shared land becomes a garden, it becomes a place where community can take root,” says MU Extension horticulture specialist Tamra Reall.
Community gardens transform vacant lots, church grounds, schoolyards and other underused places into visible, cared-for green spaces. These gardens function as shared land resources managed by the people who use them, an approach that is especially important in communities where access to private growing space is limited, Reall says.
By working together to grow food, flowers and crops, gardeners build shared responsibility for land use, infrastructure and long-term care. The toolkit supports this stewardship model by offering tools that help groups clarify expectations, make collaborative decisions and plan for garden sustainability, she says.
“As community gardens turn access to land into an opportunity for participation, leadership and connection, they also strengthen long-term investment,” Reall adds.
A recurring theme in the toolkit is the ability to bring people together across ages, backgrounds and life experiences. Children learn where food comes from, while adults share knowledge gained over years of growing.
In many gardens, this learning is supported by MU Extension Master Gardener volunteers who provide research-based information and help gardeners solve problems throughout the growing season, says Debi Kelly, coordinator of the MU Extension Master Gardener program. Last year, more than 2,000 volunteers contributed almost 150,000 hours of service valued at over $5 million, Kelly says.
Improving food access, health and the environment
Community gardens contribute to community well-being by increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables. Harvests are often shared among gardeners, exchanged with neighbors or donated to local food pantries, helping reduce barriers to healthy eating, Reall says.
“Every harvest reflects an investment in health, environment, and community resilience,” she notes. In addition to social and nutritional benefits, community gardens improve soil health, increase biodiversity, reduce stormwater runoff and help moderate neighborhood temperatures — environmental benefits that contribute to long-term community resilience statewide.
Community gardens are flourishing as people come together to improve their health through physical activity and access to nutritious food, says Jo Britt Rankin, MU Extension professional in health and human sciences. “Gardens provide opportunities for people to gather in their community while increasing their access to healthy food, participating in physical activity and spending time with family, friends and neighbors,” she says.
A research-based guide for lasting impact
“Community gardens demonstrate what is possible when shared land is paired with research-based guidance and strong local leadership.” says McKelvey. “Communities across Missouri are growing much more than food. They are growing stronger, more connected places.”
Photos
Community garden 1. MU Extension developed the Community Gardening Toolkit to help those wanting to establish community gardens. Photo courtesy of Tamra Reall, MU Extension horticulturist.
Community garden 2. Community gardens turn access to land into an opportunity for participation, leadership and connection throughout Missouri. Photo courtesy of Tamra Reall, MU Extension horticulturist.
Community garden 3. Community gardens are flourishing as people come together to improve their health through physical activity and access to nutritious food, says Jo Britt Rankin, MU Extension professional in health and human sciences. Photo courtesy of Tamra Reall, MU Extension horticulturist.
