REGISTRATION OPENED: 2021 Living Earth Community Garden Information and Registration

Living Earth Community Garden is fully managed and sponsored by the Living Earth Center. Living Earth Center is a non-profit fully incorporated as a 501c3 charitable organization. It is sponsored in part by the School Sisters of Notre Dame, as well through the generosity of donors.

Please carefully read the information below before registering. 

Welcome to the 2021 Gardening Season at the Living Earth Community Garden! 

If you are new to the Living Earth Community Garden, please fill out a registration form on this page. We will reach out to you to confirm if a garden plot is available by no later than March 31st. If no plots are available, we will automatically place you on a waitlist. If you submit payment and space is not available, you will be fully refunded. 

Being part of the Living Earth Community Garden is more than just having a place to grow food. We consider ourselves a community growing space in many different ways and have programs, workshops, volunteer opportunities and regular events that we encourage you to attend and participate in. If you have never gardened before, have no fear, we have a new gardener training program to help you grow and learn as well. 

Below are some things to keep in mind prior to signing up: 

COVID REGULATIONS
Due to COVID many of the policies and dates that we have now, may change. Please be ready to adapt as the pandemic evolves. The Garden will officially be opened on Saturday, April 24th for Garden Clean Up, Pot Luck and Seed Swap. More information will be forthcoming. 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY 
There is no garden experience required to garden at the Living Earth Community Garden! We welcome everyone with any level of gardening experience. Each plot must have a primary gardener (the primary person responsible for the plot) who fills out a garden contract. Anyone who gardens at the community garden including family and friends must fill out a garden liability form before entering the garden. Please note, failure to have forms submitted may result in your being asked to leave the garden or have your plot forfeited. 

RETURN GARDENERS
New this year! Please read the following updates for the 2021 Season: 

1) Virtual Update Meeting: Return gardeners do not have to attend in person meet and greet trainings. Instead, we ask that you join a virtual update meeting that will go over new things happening in the Garden. The virtual meeting will take place Wednesday, April 14th at 5:30 PM via Zoom.  

2) Garden Clean Up, Pot Luck and Seed Swap- The Garden Opening and Pot Luck Event will take place on Saturday, April 24th from 10:30-2:30 PM. In addition to volunteering to get the garden ready for the season, gardeners 

3) Clean Up Fine- please note that if you garden is not properly cleaned up at the end of the year, we will be charging a $30 clean up fee. 

NEW GARDENERS|
Garden Trainings- In order to have a full understanding of all the guidelines at the Garden. We ask that once you have been informed that there is plot available, you attend a New Gardener Training to select your plot and go over gardening basics. 

1) Monday April 20th at 5:30 at the Living Earth Community Garden (170 Good Counsel Dr., Mankato MN)

2) Tuesday April 27th at 5:30 at Living Earth Community Garden (170 Good Counsel Dr., Mankato MN)

3) By appointment with the Garden Manager 

GARDEN GATHERING AND SEED SWAP
We invite you to join your fellow gardeners to officially open the Barn doors and get the garden ready on Saturday, April 24th from 10:30-2:30 PM (with a potluck lunch break). We will gather together (rain or shine) to help get the barn cleaned up, the tools ready and the garden plots turned over. This fun day is a great way to meet other gardeners, give back to the community and swap some seeds. Please bring a dish to pass. 

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENT
We ask all gardeners to join a “team” that contributes to the maintenance of the Garden or works to build a strong Garden community. Please sign up for one Volunteer Team for the season. Time commitment varies from team to team. We ask that all gardeners record their volunteer hours on our volunteer record in the Barn. 

  • Partner Plot Team
    Responsible for planting, watering, weeding, and harvesting partner plots and delivering produce to Welcome Inn, Theresa House and other organizations with expressed need. Time commitment: weekly. 
     
  • Kids Peace Garden Team
    Responsible for helping to plant, water, and weed the Kids Peace Garden. Time commitment: weekly. 
     
  • Barn and Tool Care Team
    Responsible for keeping the barn and tools clean. Time commitment: weekly.
     
  • Hospitality and Education Team
    Responsible for helping to organize monthly gardener meet and greet potlucks with an education focus and posting tips on pest control and organic gardening methods. Time commitment: monthly. 
     
  • Flower Bed Team
    Responsible for planting, watering, and weeding flower beds near barn and around bird baths. Time commitment: weekly. 
     
  • Gardener Assistance Team
    Responsible for helping gardeners in need of assistance to weed or water their plots if they are on vacation or have a medical issue. Time commitment: as needed. 
     
  • Path Maintenance Team
    Responsible for laying cardboard and wood chips around paths and making sure they are maintained throughout the year. Time commitment: monthly. 
     
  • Garden Committee
    Responsible for meeting monthly during the Garden Season to discuss garden issues and make important decisions regarding the gardens. Time commitment: monthly. 

PLOT PAYMENT AND FEES
Plots are priced on a sliding scale. The first plot is $40, each additional plot is $10. We invite gardeners who can afford more to pay more if they are willing. This fee will go toward expenses of the community garden (electricity, water bills, compost, toilet fees, tools, maintenance, and education etc.). The fee includes ONE wheel barrow of compost per plot, water, the use of tools, and access to the barn. Gardeners will be charged $30 for every plot that is not fully picked up at the end of the season. 

Forms and Resources

  • Here is a downloadable application that can be mailed or emailed. Please mail completed forms to c/o Living Earth Center, 170 Good Counsel Dr. 56001 or email them to livingearthcenter@ssndcp.org.

  • Please review the garden contract and be ready to sign it during a meet and greet session. Note: You may not garden until this form and the liability waiver have both been signed and submitted.

  • Please sign and date this form and submit it during one of the meet and greets. Please note that you are not permitted to garden until this form has been signed and submitted.

2021 Living Earth Community Garden Registration Form

RETURN GARDENERS-  Welcome back for the 2021 Garden Season! 
Please fill out the from below by no later than March 1st to secure your garden plots from last year. If registration is not received, your plot will be forfeited and new gardeners will have an option to register for plots on a first come- first served basis. Payment is due by no later than March 31st to secure your spot. Nobody is turned away for inability to pay. If you are in need of a scholarship this year, please contact lpeterson@ssndcp.org. All return gardeners must attend a 30 minute virtual garden update meeting Wednesday, April 14th at 5:30 PM via Zoom. If you are unable to make it, please contact lpeterson@ssndcp.org.

NEW GARDENERS- Please fill out the form below. Plots will be assigned on a first come first served basis depending on availability. You will be informed if you have received a plot by no later than March 31st, otherwise, you will be placed on a waitlist and contacted until a plot opens up. 

For questions, please contact Laura Peterson, Living Earth Center, at 507-389-4272 or email lpeterson@ssndcp.org

Gardener Information
Please indicate who the primary contact will be for your garden plot.
First Name
Last Name
Country
Address Line 1
City
State
Postal Code
Please indicate the names and contact information of all people who will be gardening in your plot. Please note that all people who will be gardening on your plot must attend a Garden Meet and Greet Meeting and fill out a Garden Contract and Liability Waiver.
Please list the names, phone numbers and/or emails of any other gardeners who will be gardening in your plot
Garden Plot Information
Are you a new or returning gardener?
If you are a returning gardener, do you wish to keep the same plot(s) you had last year?
If no, please contact Laura Peterson at lpeterson@ssndcp.org to set up a time to be reassigned new plot(s).
How many garden plots would you like?
Garden plots are approximately 10' x 10'. The maximum amount of plots a gardener can have is 5 if space permits. If plots need to be filled, gardeners may take on more on a year to year basis.
Community Event and Volunteer Information
Do you plan to attend the Living Earth Garden Barn Clean Up, Seed Swap and Potluck on Saturday, April 24th from 10:30 AM -2:30 PM? (please check one)
In the spirit of community, we ask all Gardeners to attend the Spring Barn Clean Up and Potluck. The event occurs no matter the weather.
Please indicate what volunteer team are you interested in? Please see descriptions at the beginning of the form. (Please check all that apply)
All gardeners are asked to join a volunteer "team" to complete their four hours of volunteer community service.
Demographic Information

Living Earth Center asks optional demographic questions to better understand the community we serve, to secure outside funding and grants, and to inform programs and workshops. If you do not feel comfortable sharing the below information, it will not impact your garden application. 

Are you of Hispanic, Latino, or Latino origin?
How would you describe yourself?
What is your age?
Can you tell us your household income?
Health and Emergency Contact Information
The Living Earth Community Garden is a no hose garden. However, exceptions are made for those with documented medical need.
No file selected
Please provide the name of an emergency contact that does not also garden at the Living Earth Community Garden
I have read and understand the liability waiver
Please submit signed liability waivers for all people who plan to utilize the community garden.
No file selected
I have read and understand the Garden Contract. I understand that I must submit a signed contract before gardening at the
No file selected
Please note, only ONE garden contract per plot is required.
Payment and Fees
I am intersted in a scholarship
Plots are priced on a sliding scale. The first plot is $40, each additional plot is $10. We invite gardeners who can afford more to pay more if they are willing. This fee will go toward expenses of the community garden (electricity, water bills, compost, toilet fees, tools, maintenance, and education etc.). The fee includes ONE wheel barrow of compost per plot, water, the use of tools, and access to the barn. Nobody is turned away for inability to pay. Scholarships are available upon request. If you are interested in a scholarship, please leave this field blank or enter the amount that you can pay.
Payment Option
Before your plot can be secured, payment must be received. Nobody is turned away for inability to pay. If you are interested in receiving a scholarship, please check the Pay Later option
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