The University of Missouri Extension is offering a free Community Gardening Toolkit designed to support the growing number of community gardens across Missouri.
The toolkit is based on research and real-world experiences and provides a flexible framework for neighborhoods and organizations looking to start or sustain community gardens. It includes practical guidance for organizing gardeners and creating inclusive, productive garden spaces over time.
Bill McKelvey, senior project coordinator with University of Missouri Extension and author of the toolkit, said successful community gardens rely as much on people as they do on plants.
“The community garden is as much about the gardening as it is the community,” McKelvey said. “Gardening is one of those things where there’s a lot of information out there and people have experience doing it. But on the community side, sometimes people don’t think about the nuances of organizing a group and working together.”
Community gardens serve as shared land resources managed by groups working together to grow sustainable gardens. In addition to providing fresh fruits and vegetables, organizers say the gardens help strengthen community connections and encourage leadership and collaboration.
McKelvey said community gardens can also support local food pantries by supplying fresh produce that is often difficult to obtain through food assistance programs.
“Fresh fruits and vegetables are sometimes hard to come by,” McKelvey said. “When food pantry recipients are able to select from different fresh items, they really appreciate it. Volunteers growing and donating that produce also feel good about what they’re doing.”
The Community Gardening Toolkit is available for free download on the University of Missouri Extension website under the publications tab.