Ft. Scott Garden Membership Agreement: May 2013


Presidio Neighborhood Organic Community Garden
Membership Agreement: Ft. Scott


I. Name and Purpose
The Presidio Neighborhood Community Garden is a group of gardens in several locations within Area B of the Presidio. The Presidio Neighborhood Organic Community Garden strives to promote interest in and knowledge of organic gardening and sustainable food production through demonstration and service. The gardens provide residential neighborhoods with a beautiful attraction and gathering space. Members share both an interest in gardening and dedication to the cooperative spirit of the garden community.




Mission: 
Provide a reasonable number of gardening opportunities for park residents who desire to garden. 
Supplement interpretation of the Presidio by re-creating gardens in historic locations. 
Promote sustainable and healthy lifestyles through organic gardening. 
Enhance community in neighborhoods by providing places where residents can gather and work together. Situating gardens near playgrounds and bbq space is encouraged. 
Respond to the growing number of requests for garden opportunities; provide gardening opportunities that are safe, and which support the cultural and natural resources goals of the National Park. 


II. Membership Eligibility and Selection 
Membership in the Ft. Scott Community Garden is open to any resident or full-time employee of the Presidio. 

1. When a new neighborhood garden is built the following will take place: 

a. anyone who currently has a garden plot in the Fort Scott Garden (or another garden with no residency restrictions) and lives in the delineated neighborhood will be asked if they would like a plot in the new garden in their neighborhood. 

b. anyone on the Ft. Scott Garden waiting list, or if applicable, neighborhood waiting list, will be offered a plot. 

c. a letter will be sent to all households in the delineated area requesting that anyone interested in a plot contact the Garden Coordinator by a certain date (about 3 weeks in the future) 

d. if the number of people who (a) want to move from an existing garden + (b) are on the wait list + (c) replied to the letter exceeds the number of plots, then a lottery will be held from the people who have replied to the letter (group c). Those who do not receive a plot will be placed on the wait list for that garden in the order they are chosen in the lottery. 

e. if the number of people who (a) want to move + (b) are on the wait list exceeds the number of plots, then a lottery will be done from those two groups. Those who do not receive a plot will be placed on the wait list for the neighborhood garden, and retain their current places on the master list/ garden. A second lottery will be done with those who replied to the letter and their names will be placed on the waiting list after those from groups “a” and “b”. 


2. When a member of a neighborhood garden moves from that neighborhood to another neighborhood in the Presidio and wants to continue gardening: 

a. they must relinquish the garden plot in the original garden upon moving. 

b. if there is a garden in the new neighborhood, they will be placed at the end of the waiting list, or 

c. if there is not a garden in the new neighborhood, they will be placed at the end of the Ft. Scott Garden waiting list. 


After a garden is established, plots are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis as they become available to those whose names are on the waiting list. 

  • All those who have been assigned a garden plot, have signed the membership agreement outlining responsibilities of members and are maintaining their garden in accordance with the Membership Agreement will be considered members in good standing. 
  • Members will be accepted without discrimination on the basis of age, race, religion, disabilities, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin. 
  • Members must be Presidio residents or full-time Presidio employees. Proof may be requested. 
  • Membership status will be revoked for failure to abide by the terms in this document or for change in status that renders an individual no longer eligible (i.e. move from Presidio residence). 
  • All members shall be entitled to receive communications. 
III. Garden Management 
There will be one overall Community Garden Coordinator, a paid employee of The Presidio Trust, who will:  
  • Ensure that garden plots are maintained in accordance with the Membership Agreement. 
  • Revoke membership status of any gardener who fails to abide by the terms outlined in the Membership Agreement. 
  • Have final authority to settle the disputes. 
  • Assign garden plots. 
  • Maintain the waiting list. 
  • Maintain the list of current members. 
  • Purchase and maintain supplies. 
  • Prepare correspondence. 
  • Organize and lead community workdays; ensure community gardener’s needs are met. 

IV. Assignment and Maintenance of Garden Plots 
The demand for membership in Presidio Community Gardens exceeds the availability of garden plots and thus makes it imperative that members either use their plots or relinquish them. 

A. New Members 
  • New members shall have 30 days from the day the plot is assigned to begin working their plot. After 30 days, if the plot has not been used it will be considered abandoned. Notice will be given that membership in the garden has been revoked and the plot will be passed onto the next person on the waiting list. 
  • There is no parking dedicated for the gardens. Parking is very limited. When possible, park behind the garages or along the entrance road rather than in the turnaround near the entrance. This area should be for picking up/ dropping off materials only. 
  • Domestic animals must be kept on-leash. Domestic animals should be kept away from plots. Do not feed any wild animals. 
  • Children are not allowed to play in the garden unsupervised. Parents are expected to keep their children out of other people’s plots. They are encouraged to use the playground area for recreation. 
  • Weeds and green material must be placed in the appropriate compost receptacle. 
  • All related Park policies and guidelines will be enforced at the gardens. 

B. Usage 

  • Only one garden plot may be assigned to the residents of one housing unit, regardless of the number of occupants. 
  • Members and/or their family must be the primary users of the assigned garden plot- not paid staff. 
  • At no time shall any person be assigned to more than one plot- within or among Presidio Neighborhood Community gardens. 
  • Planting may occur only within designated plot boundaries. 
  • No trees may be planted in the garden plots. 
  • Members shall not weed, water, or harvest from any plot but the one assigned to them, unless specifically requested. 
  • It is the responsibility of each gardener to keep the walkways surrounding their plot clear of obstructions (i.e. pots or hoses) and weeded. 
  • No structures may obstruct vision throughout the garden. Exceptions are trellises and wire used to grow climbing plants, which may neither exceed 6 feet nor cast shade onto another gardener’s plot. 
  • Any structure, trellis, etc. constructed within a garden plot must be created entirely of materials appropriate for use in gardens. While recycling of material is supported, use of items such as pallets, tires, screen doors etc. is not allowed. Examples of approved materials are: pre-built trellises, fencing, and bamboo stakes. 
  • Pressure-treated lumber is not allowed. 
  • No synthetic fertilizers may be used (i.e. Miracle-Gro). No pesticides, fungicides, weed killers (i.e. Roundup) or repellents may be used that do not comply with organic standards. Such usage will result in immediate loss of garden plot. 
  • If a member observes non-organic practices in the garden, they must report such use to the Garden Coordinator. 
  • Water shall not be allowed to run out of the garden plot. 
  • No illegal substances may be grown in garden plots. 

C. Monthly Assessments and Warnings 
  • Gardeners are expected to actively use their assigned garden 12 months of the year. 
  • The standard for defining “active use” is that there are growing plants, crops are harvested, the plot is clean and relatively free of weeds, and the adjacent pathways are free of weeds and debris. 
  • Gardens may be left unplanted during the winter, but must be weeded regularly. 
  • Gardens will be assessed by the Garden Coordinator or designee on a monthly basis. 
  • Records will be kept of the status of each plot. 
  • If a garden plot is in violation of any term of this Agreement or is untended, the Garden Coordinator will advise the gardener in writing (via email) that the plot is out of compliance with a reminder or an official warning, depending on the situation. 
  • For an official warning, the gardener must correct the situation within 30 days, or lose the plot. 
  • In the event that a gardener receives two warnings, at the time a third warning would be issued, the gardener will be asked to relinquish the plot. There is no statute of limitations for warnings to expire (three strikes and you’re out).
  • If a member is asked to relinquish a garden plot, he/she may request to be placed on the waiting list. The former member will not be eligible for a plot for at least 6 months from the date the plot was reclaimed. 
  • If a member is temporarily unable to tend their assigned garden, they must make arrangements to have someone else tend it. This cannot be for a period of more than 3 months. 

E. Switching garden plots 
If a member wishes to exchange garden plots with another member who is willing to do so, both gardeners must contact the Garden Coordinator requesting a reassignment. If both gardeners are in agreement, the change will be approved. 

If a member wishes to exchange the plot currently to them assigned within the same garden they must contact the Garden Coordinator and request to be notified when there is a vacant plot. They will be given first right of refusal for the next open plot. 

F. Leaving the garden 
When a member is no longer eligible for a community garden plot- due to a change in employment or residence, it is the member’s responsibility to notify the Garden Coordinator in a timely manner. The plot should be left tidy and weed-free, but actively growing crops and approved perennials may remain in the plot. 


V. Garden Space 
  • There is no parking dedicated for the gardens. Parking is very limited. When possible, park behind the garages or along the entrance road rather than in the turnaround near the entrance. This area should be for picking up/ dropping off materials only. 
  • Domestic animals must be kept on-leash. Domestic animals should be kept away from plots. 
  • Children are not allowed to play in the garden unsupervised. Parents are expected to keep their children out of other people’s plots. They are encouraged to use the playground area for recreation. 
  • Weeds and green material must be placed in the appropriate compost receptacle. 
  • All related Park policies and guidelines will be enforced at the gardens. 

VI. Plants 
  • Gardeners must make themselves familiar with the list of plants allowed for use within the Presidio Neighborhood Organic Community Garden. 
  • Only plants on the approved list are allowed to be grown in the garden. If a prohibited plant is found in a plot, the gardener will be notified and asked to remove it. 
  • Plant lists may vary between gardens. 
  • No illegal substances may be grown in garden plots. 
  • Vegetables shall not be allowed to flower and set seed unless that is the intended food (i.e. peas). 
  • No plants labeled “California Native” may be brought into the Presidio. 
  • The best source of information is Golden Gate Gardening by Pam Pierce. 
  • My blog is also available for information: http://presidiocommunitygardens.blogspot.com/ 
  • Once a year we may provide a few seedlings. This will not be enough to plant a whole plot. Gardeners should plan to start seeds at home or purchase vegetable starts. 

VII. Pests 
  • Gardeners must use care when working in garden plots not to damage landscape fabric liner or metal hardware cloth installed in the bottom of the plot. 
  • For bird exclusion netting, please contact the Garden Coordinator. Help is available to construct a frame and bird-safe netting will be provided. 
  • If you are having problems with slugs or snails, Sluggo or hand-picking them works best. 
  • If gardeners notice unusual rodent or pest activity, they should notify the Garden Coordinator. 

VIII. Bird Nesting Restrictions 
  • Gardeners will honor all natural resource policies in the Park. 
  • Bird nesting season restrictions are in place from approximately March 1 to August 15 of every year. During this time trees may not be pruned and heavy brush must not be removed in order to prevent disturbing nesting birds. Gardeners may work in and maintain their plots, paths, and flower beds, taking care to be mindful of possible bird nests. This policy is in effect throughout the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. 

IX. Water 
  • Water use in the garden is metered. Presidio water comes from the water treatment plant whose primary source is Lobos Creek. 
  • Water is to be used only when the gardener is in attendance. 
  • Leaving water turned on while you are not present is prohibited. 
  • Water should be turned off at the faucet before leaving the garden. 
  • Re-coil the hose after leaving. 
  • Over-watering or watering that causes run-off is prohibited. 

X. Community Endeavors 
  • As befits a cooperative endeavor, there are many areas of the garden which are maintained for the benefit of the entire membership: walkways, fences, trees, the compost bins, community plots, shed, etc. Many of these common areas require continuous low-level maintenance, such as weeding and watering, if they are to be kept to an acceptable standard. Providing this maintenance is an obligation of each individual member. 
  • Volunteer Days: Volunteer days will be held on a weekend day- 4-6 times per year. Gardeners are encouraged to attend all volunteer days, but are required to attend at least two. Arrangements can be made on an individual basis for time conflicts. 
  • It is the gardener’s responsibility to fulfill their community requirements by contacting the garden coordinator if they are unable to attend any of the scheduled volunteer days. Failure to adequately complete community requirements is grounds for a warning. 
  • Scheduled community garden time: when appropriate, the garden coordinator will schedule community garden time during which members are encouraged to work in their plots in community with other gardeners- “Happy Hours” are family friendly! 

XI. Vandalism, Theft, Destruction of Property 
  • Actions such as theft of tools, equipment, produce, flowers, and vandalism or destruction of another gardener's garden/property will result in loss of gardening privileges. 
  • No gardener may remove material from another gardener's plot without permission. 
  • Theft or vandalism is subject to fine. 
  • Report any observed theft or vandalism to the Garden Coordinator with a description of person(s), vehicles, time and details of the occurrence. 

XII. Smoking and Alcoholic Beverages 
  • Smoking is prohibited. Tobacco mosaic virus can be devastating to tomato plants and can be transmitted from cigarettes. 
  • Consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons over 21 years of age is subject to Presidio Trust regulations. 

XI. Assumption of Risk, Release, and Indemnification 

a. Assumption of Risk: I hereby assume the risk of any harm or injury that might befall me as a result of my use of a Presidio Trust community garden in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement. 

b. Release of Claims: In consideration for the opportunity to recreationally use a Presidio Trust community garden and the undertakings described in this Agreement, on behalf of myself, my representatives and assigns, I hereby release and waive any claims that might arise against the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, the United States, the National Park Service and the Presidio Trust, its directors, officers, and employees (collectively, the “Released Parties”) that may arise from my use of such a garden. 

c. Indemnification: In further consideration for the opportunity to recreationally use a Presidio Trust community garden, I hereby agree to indemnify, defend, and hold the Released Parties harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, losses, liabilities and costs (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees, expert witness expenses, litigation costs, and disbursements) relating in any manner, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part to: (i) any act or omission of mine or any person present in a community garden at my request or with my permission or (ii) any accident relating in any way to my activities occurring under this Agreement involving death or injury to any person or property at any time during the term of this Agreement due to any cause whatsoever. 


XII. Execution 



I have read and agree to abide by the terms of this Agreement, and understand that failure to do so may result in the relinquishment of my garden plot and membership in the Presidio Neighborhood Organic Community Garden. 


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print name of Garden Coordinator/signature of Garden Coordinator/ date