A Template on Building Community

Posted: November 13, 2024

Trying to answer the question, “Cody, that’s cool and all, ‘look for the helpers, turn to community’… but like, how?”; I pulled from theories in positive, organizational, and relationship psychology arenas. While this is not a definitive guide to the kind of community you want or need, it’s at least a template you can adapt. Let’s pretend the community we want to grow is growers.

How to Build a Community of Gardeners

Step 0: Objective

Consider for yourself the “Big Why” that will motivate and carry you through challenges. Set boundaries of what and how much of your resources you are willing to commit to the project, what success will look like broadly, and when you will cut your losses or pass the baton. Why do you want a community of gardeners, what are willing to give to get that?

Step 1. Define the Purpose and Mission

Goal: Establish a clear mission that unites members around a shared love for gardening and promotes knowledge exchange.

Identify Specific Goals: Is the community focused on organic gardening, urban gardening, permaculture, flower gardening, or another niche?
Draft a Mission Statement: A concise statement outlining the purpose of the community. For example: “Our mission is to bring gardeners together to share knowledge, support one another, and inspire sustainable and rewarding gardening practices.”

Step 2. Identify Your Target Audience

Goal: Understand the types of gardeners you want to reach and tailor the community experience to their needs.

Define Gardening Levels: Are you targeting beginner gardeners, advanced horticulturalists, urban gardeners, or a mix?
Survey Potential Members: Conduct surveys or hold informal discussions to discover what specific topics or challenges members are interested in, such as pest control, seasonal planting, or plant recommendations.

Step 3. Choose a Platform

Goal: Select a platform that allows easy sharing of ideas, resources, and photos of plants and gardens.

(Some) Options:

Social Media Groups: Facebook or Instagram for photo-sharing, Reddit for discussion threads.
Dedicated Platforms: Discord, Slack, or a gardening-specific forum for more organized conversations.
Community Platforms: Consider platforms like Mighty Networks or Circle.so that offer features for paid memberships, special interest groups, and event scheduling.

Considerations:

Visual Sharing: Choose a platform that allows members to easily share photos and videos of their gardens.
Accessibility: Make sure the platform is easy to use and supports both mobile and desktop access.
Cost: Evaluate the platform’s cost, especially if you plan to offer workshops or special events.

Step 4. Establish Guidelines and Best Practices

Goal: Set up a safe and respectful environment where all members feel welcome to share their gardening experiences and knowledge.

(Suggested) Community Guidelines:

Encourage respectful sharing of advice, tips, and constructive feedback.
Prohibit harmful or inappropriate behavior, including spamming, advertising unrelated topics, and negative or unconstructive comments.
- In my humble opinion, this is a step key to going from a group of people to a living community.

Safety and Respect:

Include guidelines around sustainable and safe gardening practices.
Emphasize respect for differing opinions and encourage members to share their experiences without fear of criticism.

Step 5. Foster Engagement and Trust

Goal: Build an interactive and vibrant culture where gardeners can feel at home.

Organize Regular Events:

Host seasonal planting events, virtual garden tours, plant swaps, or “Gardener of the Month” showcases.
Set up a schedule for monthly Q&A sessions, expert talks, or themed discussions on topics like indoor gardening or composting.

Encourage Peer Support and Mentorship:

Pair experienced gardeners with beginners for one-on-one mentorship.
Create threads or channels where members can post questions and receive advice from others.

Promote Open Communication:

Use polls, feedback forms, and discussions to gauge interest in certain topics and keep the content relevant.
Appoint moderators or facilitators to keep conversations positive and ensure everyone has a chance to participate.

Step 6. Provide / Assess Resources and Education

Goal: Equip members with practical resources, guides, and tips to help them grow successful gardens.

Content Creation:

Share articles, how-to guides, video tutorials, and blog posts on topics like seasonal planting, soil health, pest control, and garden design.
Create a resource library where members can access tools such as gardening calendars, pest control guides, and soil improvement tips.

Workshops and Guest Speakers:

Invite horticulturists, botanists, or gardening influencers to host workshops on specialized topics, such as permaculture or native plant gardening.
Hold demonstrations on techniques like pruning, transplanting, or composting.

Skill-Building Challenges:

Organize monthly challenges, such as growing from seed, improving soil, or trying a new plant type, to encourage members to learn and share their progress.

Step 7. Promote the Community

Goal: Attract more gardeners by creating awareness and showcasing the benefits of being part of your community.

Social Media Marketing:

Share member highlights, seasonal tips, gardening hacks, and upcoming events on social media.
Use relevant hashtags (e.g., #gardenersofinstagram, #urbanfarming, #plantswap) to reach a wider audience.

Collaborate with Gardening Influencers and Experts:

Partner with popular gardening influencers, local nurseries, or botanical gardens to promote your community.
Organize joint events, webinars, or giveaways to attract new members.

Encourage Word of Mouth:

Encourage existing members to invite friends, family, or neighbors who are interested in gardening.
Recognize members who actively engage and contribute, fostering a sense of belonging and appreciation.

Step 8. Monitor, Evaluate, and Improve

Goal: Regularly assess community health and implement improvements based on feedback and participation trends.

Track Engagement Metrics:

Monitor activity levels, engagement with posts, attendance at events, and response rates to members’ questions.

Collect Feedback:

Use polls and surveys to get feedback on what’s working and what members would like to see improved or added.

Adapt and Evolve:

Adjust events or topics based on members’ interests, experiment with new formats, and stay updated on gardening trends.
Incorporate feedback on resources or event ideas to better meet members’ evolving needs.

Step 9. Celebrate Milestones and Successes

Goal: Recognize achievements within the community to build enthusiasm and foster a sense of pride.

Celebrate Members’ Successes: Highlight achievements, such as a member’s successful harvest or overcoming a garden pest challenge.
Acknowledge Community Growth: Share updates on new members, milestone events, or successful initiatives to keep the community motivated and inspired.

Building a gardening community takes patience, dedication, and a love for helping others grow, both in their gardens and as individuals. By following these steps, you can cultivate a thriving community where gardeners can connect, share, and flourish together·