What We Do

Our Mission:

We foster community, equity, and food production by connecting people in Dane County with the space, education and resources to create and sustain community gardens.

Our Guiding Principles:

  • Equitable access to gardening and land tenure
  • Participatory processes and leadership development
  • Welcoming community and cultural expression
  • Sustainable growing practices and ecological stewardship
  • Intergenerational and multicultural connections

Our Practices:

  • Hold the lease for gardens on city-owned land and provide liability insurance to gardens as needed
  • Mentor organizers at current and future gardens and connect them with resources and institutions
  • Advocate for policies and systems that allow for the viability, success, and growth of community gardens in Dane County
  • Educate gardeners about growing vegetables and fruits in Wisconsin through sharing of technical publications, workshops, and our annual garden summit
  • Administer and raise funds for the gardens network microgrant program
  • Promote connections between gardeners around the county

Download our 2021 Annual Report here.

What we do is possible because of the support of our partners –  Rooted, the City of Madison, and UW-Madison Extension Dane County – as well as our funders.  If gardens are able, we ask that they support us by contributing 10% of their plot fees to the Gardens Network, which will go towards our microgrant program and to directly support community gardens. 

Individuals can support our work by DONATING HERE or make out a check to ‘Rooted’ with “Gardens Network” in the memo line and mail it to:

Rooted
Attn: Gardens Network
2702 International Lane, Suite 200
Madison, WI 53704