The next meeting of the Edible Garden Group will be held on Monday, March 12th at the Newburyport Public Library. Let’s talk about what tools we can share, and what we need for tools for our garden season.  Does someone have need of a rototiller, garden planning, a truck to haul salt marsh hay? Does someone have a wheelbarrow, a hoe, or experience with double dug gardens they would share?

Bring you needs and ideas about available resources to the meeting and we’ll make a list of what we have and what we need. Tool sharing involves the following steps:

Hold a meeting to find out people’s needs and available resources., MARCH 12
Determine the scope of the program; it’s often best to start with simpler hand tools.
Determine storage—will tools be stored in homes or in a common space?
Determine how costs will be covered for tool purchases and ongoing maintenance.
Develop a clear set of lending, repair and tool-return rules.
Develop a list of “experts” who can share skills.
Organize a system to track checkout and return of tools.
Assign responsibility for maintenance and repair.

We’ll brainstorm solutions and see what is next!  See you then.

The Edible Garden Group was formed by community members who are interested in getting together to learn and share information about sustainable food growing – veggies, fruits, nuts. The meetings are focused on building community resilience through increasing the availability of safe, nutritious, sustainably-grown local food. To learn more visit our website at http://hyperlocavore.ning.com/group/egg and feel free to join the discussion on-line.