Setting up Community Garden in Charles County - Ask Extension
I am interested in setting up a community garden. There are 5 acres available off Bensville Rd. I'm thinking about combining a dog walking course ar...
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Setting up Community Garden in Charles County #434859
Asked November 18, 2017, 11:10 AM EST
I am interested in setting up a community garden. There are 5 acres available off Bensville Rd. I'm thinking about combining a dog walking course around the outside, near the trees with the garden plots in the middle fenced to keep the deer out of it. I believe there is a well on the property that would have to improved. or I could use rain barrels and pump to a cistern. I calculated I could get 52,000 gallons a year from my house.
Depending on the level of interest, I might rent part of the acreage for a horse pasture.
I am interested in sustainable use of the land.
Here are my questions
1) I don't see any community gardens listed on your website. Is this because there is no interest, or just none available?
2) I know the county runs dog parks, but is there a way I could charge for people to walk their dogs?
3) I searched for pasture rental for Charles co. I couldn't find any for single horses or for small acreage. Where could I find information on rates, and marketing.
Charles County Maryland
Expert Response
Thanks for your questions. I would love to talk through those with you and connect you with the most relevant information.
1.) To my knowledge, there are currently no public community gardens in Charles County. There are some HOAs that do have gardens open to their residents but not to the whole (public) community.
2.) Yes, I suppose you could charge an admission fee, but you would have to figure out an efficient way of collecting the fee.
3.) I don't know of published information on rates for small acreage pasture rental, but I will try to connect you with more relevant information. The average rates for cropland for 2016 are at the link below. http://agrisk.umd.edu/blog/2016-cash-rents-in-maryland-and-delaware
Feel free to call<personal data hidden>), or stop by the Extension office at 9375 Chesapeake St. #119 La Plata MD to discuss your plans and ideas.
1.) To my knowledge, there are currently no public community gardens in Charles County. There are some HOAs that do have gardens open to their residents but not to the whole (public) community.
2.) Yes, I suppose you could charge an admission fee, but you would have to figure out an efficient way of collecting the fee.
3.) I don't know of published information on rates for small acreage pasture rental, but I will try to connect you with more relevant information. The average rates for cropland for 2016 are at the link below. http://agrisk.umd.edu/blog/2016-cash-rents-in-maryland-and-delaware
Feel free to call<personal data hidden>), or stop by the Extension office at 9375 Chesapeake St. #119 La Plata MD to discuss your plans and ideas.
