Urban Roots: Garden Leadership Training

Urban Roots Community Garden Leadership Program

Keep Growing Detroit is excited to offer the Urban Roots Community Garden Training Program again this fall. This seven-week, hands-on course is for community leaders interested in starting and sustaining community gardens. The class will support students with the skills to find and secure land, engage their community, and design and mobilize resources to launch and expand garden projects. During this class, students will receive one-on-one garden development support from KGD's staff to develop a personal garden portfolio and will also be connected to all of the amazing resources and networking opportunities with Detroit's urban agriculture community of 2,500+ gardens and farms.

2025 Urban Roots Program Details

Urban Roots is hosted in person to give students the best experience. As weather permits, we will be outside as much as possible, so please plan to dress accordingly.

Classes will be held Saturdays, 10AM-2PM from September 6 to October 18 at Georgia Street Community Collective (GSCC) on the Eastside. There is a hands-on workday as a part of this course that will take place at a separate location.

September 6: The Food System with a Short History of Urban Agriculture in Detroit
September 13: Creating a Vision for a Community Garden and Community Engagement
September 20: Site Assessment and Urban Agriculture Policy
September 27: Growing Vegetables and Garden Infrastructure/ Hands-on Workday
October 4: Community Workday
October 11: Garden Resource Mobilization
October 18: Graduation Celebration and Portfolio Presentation

Participation in all classes is required. No guests may attend these classes.
Accessibility Note: GSCC has a large step at the front entry but there is an accessible ramp located at the kitchen entrance.

Applications will be made available late July.

CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

What role do community gardens play in our food system? Why do you want to start a community garden? Are you familiar with what’s already happening in the city? Open your eyes to the wide world of community gardens and the roles that they play in our community.
What do you envision your garden will achieve? Do your neighbors and community share that vision? Learn techniques to get people involved, ensure community support, and build effective leadership in your community garden.
We’ll dig in to considerations for how to choose a garden site and how to navigate land acquisition processes and urban agriculture policies in the city. We’ll also get hands-on practice with site assessment and creating a plot plan to support your garden development plans.
In this hands-on class, we’ll learn the basics of growing and tending vegetables as well as practical tips for successful maintenance. We’ll also explore what elements your garden might contain, such as raised beds, pathways, water catchment systems, signs and benches.
Assess the needs of your garden and explore the options for making it happen! This class will explore the world of funding opportunities for community-based projects. We’ll learn to create a budget and the basics of searching for funding and putting together proposals to reach your goals.
Although class technically ends with graduation, KGD’s staff is committed to supporting Urban Roots Students though the winter and following spring to ensure you are ready for the upcoming growing season! Over the winter, you can expect support from KGD with your community organizing, garden design and development plans.