Round Hill Community Garden (RHCG) FAQ rev 12/08

1) What is a Community Garden?

2) Where is the RHCG?
3) How big are plots?
4) How much will the plots cost?
5) How do I sign up?
6) How will the gardens be managed?
7) What amenities will be available to gardeners?
8) Why start a Community Garden in Round Hill?
9) Who's paying for this garden?
10) I'm convinced, how can I support the Garden?

1) What is a Community Garden?

A community garden is a piece of land shared by friends and neighbors to grow food and
flowers. The RHCG will provide a plot to subscribers for a small annual fee.

2) Where is the RHCG?

The garden's proposed location is on Falls Place, on the vacant parcels just South of the Potts
Barn foundation. This use of this location is pending approval by the Town's regulatory
bodies as it is Town-owned land.

3) How big are plots?

Plot sizes will be 20’x20’ (400 sq feet). A few half-size plots will also be available (20’x10’).

4) How much will the plots cost?

The fee we are considering (though this may be adjusted) is $25/season, with an additional
$25 deposit, refundable at season's end. These fees will cover the minimal maintenance costs
associated with the garden.

5) How do I sign up?

Indicate your interest by email (RHCG@rebaf.com) or phone (540 338-2574) to be first in
line when actual sign-ups are processed in mid-Spring 2009. Your registering interest does
not obligate you to take a plot.
Round Hill Community Garden (RHCG) FAQ rev 12/08

6) How will the gardens be managed?

Rules for the garden and its management will be determined by the volunteers organizing the
garden, but will minimally provide for a) initial set-up of the fenced structure and stakes for
marking plots, b) a number of volunteer on-site managers who are rewarded with free plots,
c) a contract for maintenance of the plots, signed by all tenants d) management of provision
of irrigation of some sort (TBD)

7) What amenities will be available to gardeners?

At minimum, tenants will be provided with a pre-tilled, planting- ready plot. The exterior of
the entire garden will be protected from wildlife by a tall fence that extends several inches
underground. There will be compost piles for garden refuse, a trash can for other waste and a
bench for resting gardeners. There will be a gravel parking area accommodating 4-5 vehicles,
plus on-street parking.

Additional envisioned amenities include a lockable storage shed with shared tools, a weather-
proof bulletin board, a memorial garden perimeter planting, and surrounding native plant
garden for encouraging pollinators, and a sheltered porta-potty. We are looking to the
community to help us source and design these features.

8) Why start a Community Garden in Round Hill?

We believe that a Community Garden is a first, easy step in adjusting to a world in which
easy, cheap food is no longer guaranteed. Through participation in the garden, citizens can
reconnect with their neighbors, and children can establish valuable connections to the natural
world which supports us.

We expect our first tenants of diverse economic levels, races and ages. Pre-tilled garden plots
are especially valuable to older gardeners, homeowners whose yard soil is poor or who have
too many trees, those who enjoy sharing their love of gardening with others, and community
groups (scouts, schools, churches).

Advantages of a community garden include:

preserves town green space
beautifies and enriches the neighborhood
reduces stress and improves mental health of participants
encourages exposure and connection to nature
opportunity for positive social interaction and building community
opportunity to adopt and nurture surrounding wetlands
opportunity to grow and donate food to the local food bank
provides a safe learning space for children and adults
Round Hill Community Garden (RHCG) FAQ rev 12/08

9) Who's paying for this garden?

While the Town sees the value in the use of Town land for a Community Garden, they do not
have any money in the budget to contribute to startup costs at this time. A community-based
Steering Committee, formed in Fall 2008, has been cooperating with the Town to arrange to
use the Falls Place property free of charge; this process is proceeding successfully so far.

The remaining amenities and start up costs are being raised in the community. The Steering
committee has been successful in soliciting money and in-kind donations from citizens,
church and civic groups, landscaping companies and other businesses in the area.

Among the groups already involved: Loudoun County Master Gardeners, Luckstone, Blake
Landscaping, Giant Food, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Great Country Farms, Keep Loudoun
Beautiful, Round Hill Women's Club, Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship,
Giant Food, Abernathy and Spencer, Great Country Farms, and Stoneybrook Organic Farm.

In-kind donations are being arranged daily: what can you offer? We will begin accepting cash
donations (checks made to Town of Round Hill) in early Spring 2009.

10) I'm convinced, how can I support the Garden?

Sign up for a plot: email RHCG@rebaf.com or phone 540 338-2574

Don't wait too long. As of Dec 2008, we have 8 on the waiting list, and its growing rapidly;
remember this is no obligation--just registering a desire to be considered when the plots are
handed out

Learn More: visit www.roundhillrecord.org/communitygarden

This website will be updated to reflect the latest status of the garden; to be more frequently
informed, sign up for a plot or to volunteer.

Lend a Hand: to find out what needs doing, email RHCG@rebaf.com

Join our team! We need help with publicity, writing the garden contract, site preparation,
fundraising, and in-kind donations

Donate: indicate your financial support by emailing RHCGfunds@rebaf.com

donations from citizens as well as businesses and civic groups will be recognized on-site when
the bulletin board is built; no contribution is too small: $25 household donation would be
gladly accepted. Checks written to Town of Round Hill with "Community Garden" in the
memo line will be accepted at the Town Office in 2009, pending approval by the Town of the
project.