How will it work?
We will work with community leaders to establish six HUBS in different Providence neighborhoods. HUBS may be community gardens or other community centers, serving as a distribution center for gardening materials and a host site for workshops and community events. Our pilot HUB this year will be the Davey Lopes Recreation Center located at 227 Dudley St. in Upper South Providence. Click here to download the flyer for the Providence Community Growers Network.
What are the benefits of joining the Network?
• screened compost from Rhode Island Resource Recovery (50 gallons for home/backyard growers and school gardens; 1/2 cubic yard for market growers)*
• vegetable seeds, fish emulsion (organic fertilizer), and cover crop seeds
• representation on the Network Council
• invitations and free admission to the Urban Agriculture Spring Kickoff, Open Garden Day and Harvest Party, Biggest Squash contest, and other Network events
• free admission to workshops on the Plant Providence calendar
• opportunities to advocate for urban agriculture in Providence
*Community gardens will have compost delivered directly to their site; this service is organized in partnership with the Providence Department of Parks and Recreation. The amount of compost will be enough for each gardener to add at least 1" to their plot(s). Only gardens who join the Network will receive compost.
**Market growers will also receive access to a micro-loan pilot project and two hours of consultation on business planning or land acquisition.
How much does it cost to join?
It is important to us that all Providence gardeners are able to participate in the Network, so we are using a sliding scale for joining fees.
• Home/backyard growers: Please pay $25-60, according to your ability.
• Market growers: Please pay $50-100, according to your ability.
• School gardens: Please pay $25-60, according to your ability.
• Community gardens: Each community garden decides how much they will pay as a garden to join the Network. Please pay $5-30 per gardener.
How do I join?
Download the membership form. We ask you to seriously consider how much you can afford to contribute. Once you or your garden joins the Network, you will receive all of the associated benefits for free that year. For more questions, contact Liza, the Community Growers Network Director, at gardens@southsideclt.org or (401) 273-9419, ext. 25.
