Oral Presentations - Session 2B: UC 327
Missoula Household Gardening: A Case Study for the Potential Incorporation of 1,000 New Gardens as a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
Presentation Type
Presentation
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Jesse Munro
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Political Science
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Maintaining a household, food-producing garden has the potential to create an affordable, healthy, localized and sustainable food source for Missoulians. Recognizing this, 1,000 New Gardens is a University of Montana student group that provides free garden bed installation for Missoula community members. After installing 131 garden beds since 2009, 1,000 New Gardens’ organizers feel that the organization has reached the limits of its ability to serve the community within a student group format and has begun to explore incorporating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. With the first step to starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit being determining a need in the community, this research will explore the benefits and barriers of household gardening within two Missoula neighborhoods and if the current services of 1,000 New Gardens are needed to encourage and support new and continuing household gardeners within the Missoula community. It will also provide an overview of other gardening and sustainable food system organizations in Missoula and how they compare and contrast with the mission of 1,000 New Gardens. This information will be used to determine if there is sufficient community need to continue to pursue 501(c)(3) status and if 501(c)(3) status is the best approach to addressing organizational shortcomings. This research has the potential to greatly assist 1,000 New Gardens become a sustainable and highly useful organization within the Missoula community. It will also provide valuable information for governmental and independent organizations and businesses that serve gardeners in Missoula.
Missoula Household Gardening: A Case Study for the Potential Incorporation of 1,000 New Gardens as a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit
UC 327
Maintaining a household, food-producing garden has the potential to create an affordable, healthy, localized and sustainable food source for Missoulians. Recognizing this, 1,000 New Gardens is a University of Montana student group that provides free garden bed installation for Missoula community members. After installing 131 garden beds since 2009, 1,000 New Gardens’ organizers feel that the organization has reached the limits of its ability to serve the community within a student group format and has begun to explore incorporating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit. With the first step to starting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit being determining a need in the community, this research will explore the benefits and barriers of household gardening within two Missoula neighborhoods and if the current services of 1,000 New Gardens are needed to encourage and support new and continuing household gardeners within the Missoula community. It will also provide an overview of other gardening and sustainable food system organizations in Missoula and how they compare and contrast with the mission of 1,000 New Gardens. This information will be used to determine if there is sufficient community need to continue to pursue 501(c)(3) status and if 501(c)(3) status is the best approach to addressing organizational shortcomings. This research has the potential to greatly assist 1,000 New Gardens become a sustainable and highly useful organization within the Missoula community. It will also provide valuable information for governmental and independent organizations and businesses that serve gardeners in Missoula.