About Us
The Lafayette Community Garden and Outdoor Learning Center (LCG and OLC) is a cooperative community garden.
Work for the garden is usually done in teams on three weekly workdays. There are a number of teams, varying from crop group teams to a flower team, construction team, education team to a social team, each having designated leader(s.) Members are encouraged to find a niche or team where they’d like to focus their talents and energy, though many members prefer to be general workers, doing whatever they are asked or feel they would like to do.
The official garden season runs from mid-March to mid-October. During the season, a work list is compiled each week from crop, propagation and other team leaders and this is publicized in a weekly newsletter sent to all members as well as posted on an easel during the workdays.
Work directors help coordinate workers on the work days. During the winter season a smaller cadre of hearty gardeners gather on a lesser schedule.
Currently there are 110 member families. These individuals or families choose to be either a “working member” with a commitment to about six hours of work each month per family or “associate members” with no commitment to a specific number of work hours but with ability to participate in all social activities.
A governing board meets monthly to make decisions about policy and finances, approving ideas brought to the board by individuals or teams. Co-directors of the garden, also on the governing board, set the agendas for these meetings as well as monthly member meetings held the second Saturday of each month for an hour.
An active education team plans a calendar of events at the beginning of each season. These include gardening information lectures, crafts workshops and field trips. Many say this and the social aspect are some of their main sources of satisfaction at the garden.
Harvest grown in the garden is taken home by working members or associate members who have worked on a harvest day. Members are asked to take home only an amount that is appropriate for their family. Eggs are shared such that each working member can take a six-pack every other week. Harvest that is not taken is left in a harvest cooler to be accessed by any working member at any time.
An automatic drip system serves most beds and is set depending on the need of the crop. Daily waterers water those areas that don’t have drip, or sometimes seedlings that need more water than the drip provides.
We have a partnership with the UC Master Gardeners of Contra Costa, who conduct “Grand Rounds” once a month. This gives members and crop leaders a chance to get more information and problem-solve.
There is a renewal process for members each year, as well as an active waiting list. The membership committee administrates the renewals and wait list acceptances during the winter for the garden opening in March. Each new member is assigned a “buddy” and oriented to garden protocol. They are also reminded of three basic rules at the garden: 1. Wear a nametag, 2. No dogs, and 3. No guilt.
We encourage anyone in the community to join us as visitors any time we are open. We particularly encourage families to bring their children to see what’s growing. We host school groups and scout groups. We are about community, which is at the heart of how we operate.