Subcommittee Descriptions

Below is a summary of tasks and active dates for Troy Gardens subcommittees.

Spring Registration

Review and update plot application, garden rules and other documents for new season. Responsible for all tasks related to getting ready for the Spring Registration event. Reserve location and recruit Hmong/Lao/Spanish translators. Recruit additional volunteers outside of subcommittee as needed to staff the event.

Subcommittee is active: January through Spring Registration (generally early March)

Plot Assignment

Responsible for reviewing plot applications and assigning garden plots. Contact applicants as needed to clarify plot application information. Data entry of all plot application information in gardener database. Volunteer at Opening Day as “experts” in plot assignment details.

Subcommittee is active: February through Opening Day (generally third week of April)

Plot Layout

Make sure garden plots in plowed section are free of any large debris that may interfere with plowing. Coordinate plot layout date(s) with CSA farmer who does plowing. Responsible for staking and marking boundaries of all plots in plowed section of the garden. Mark all plots with plot number/gardener name immediately prior to Opening Day.

Subcommittee is active: April

Opening Day

Responsible for all tasks related to getting ready for Opening Day event. Recruit Hmong/Lao/Spanish translators. Recruit additional volunteers outside of subcommittee as needed to staff event. Make sure Plot Assignment Subcommittee representatives are available to answer plot assignment questions. Distribute hay to plots and row cover to gardeners as they sign-in to receive their plot assignment. Collect any outstanding fees and hand out refunds as needed.

Subcommittee is active: March and April

Plot Monitoring

Make sure plots are planted by June 1 and contact gardeners who have not planted to warn them their plot may be reassigned if they are not going to plant it. Monitor plots throughout the season and contact gardeners who are not keeping their plots tended. Keep records of untended plots. Monitor garden site in general for any maintenance that needs to be done and contact Work Day Subcommittee with these tasks.

Subcommittee is active: May through October

Work Day

Compile the list of tasks to be accomplished at scheduled work days. Lead work days by providing at least one person from subcommittee to direct volunteers. This leader will coordinate the mowing and weed trimming tasks with the volunteer from Equipment Subcommittee present at the work day. Arrange to have a volunteer who can speak both English and Hmong to translate work day tasks to Hmong volunteers. Make sure volunteers record their hours in Volunteer Sign-in binder.

Subcommittee is active: April through October

Water

Turn on water in the spring and repair/replace leaks discovered throughout system. Keep water system in repair throughout season, including repairing hoses. Coordinate shut down of water with the City of Madison Water Department in the fall and purge the system with compressed air to avoid winter freeze up.

Subcommittee is active: April through October

Equipment

Maintain all hand tools and wheelbarrows. Maintain power equipment, including mowers, rototillers and weed whackers. Make sure a volunteer from the subcommittee is at each scheduled work day and have appropriate fuel available for the power equipment.

Subcommittee is active: March through October

Edible Landscape/Mendota Orchard

Coordinate pruning work with Community GroundWorks  Natural Areas Coordinator. Help organize the Mendota apple orchard pruning in the spring. Organize pruning raspberries and grapes at appropriate times of the year.

Subcommittee is active: March through May

Newsletter

Prepare monthly newsletter and post card communications to gardeners. Write articles or recruit volunteers to write articles for newsletter. Get important communications translated into Hmong and Spanish for post cards and newsletters. Mail/email newsletters and postcards.

Subcommittee is active: February through October

Special Events

This subcommittee will organize any special events for the Community Gardens. In the past, we have held Harvest Festivals in September, including apple cider pressing and a potluck. We also have participated in the CAC Garden Days, an annual event sponsored by Community Action Coalition featuring area community gardens.

Subcommittee is active: September