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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the garden located?
On the far west of the Toronto Waldorf School (TWS) buildings
9100 Bathurst Street
Thornhill , ON
Is Membership only for the Toronto Waldorf School community?
- No, we lease land from the school and the majority of our members come from the broader local community who support the spirit of our garden.
Do I need any experience, tools, etc?
- No previous gardening experience is required. There is ongoing support for learning to all members, especially those who are new.
- We will gladly share our hand tools or you may bring your own
What makes the CCG work?
- Clarity of vision and mission
- Biodynamic principles and methods in order to increase soil fertility and food quality
- Associative Economic principles and our Harvest Sharing guidelines
- Professional management and organization
- Community ownership and engagement
- A cultivated social dynamic arising out of our shared garden activity
- It is the love and striving towards the above that matters
(Note: Lots more info is available)
How do members learn more about these key aspects of the garden?
- Come to an information meetings (contact Audrey for more details: 416-782-9593)
- Receive orientation and training from Guides
- Working along side and in conversation with experienced members
- There is extensive material available such as documents and training videos
- There is also additional information on our website.
What time commitments are required?
- The garden needs regular, timely attention, and at times larger group efforts (called “Frolics”).
- A contribution of approximately 3 hours per week – on average - is suggested to make your membership worthwhile in way of veggie return. Many members contribute much more time and some less. The garden scope is planned around the collective commitment (not individual plots) of all the members, compiled from the Membership survey information which you will submit with your Membership Application.
- Membership options are available to members with special circumstances – see our Pricing document.
What if I can’t make my weekly time commitment?
- Within the scope, we anticipate holidays, illness and unforeseen circumstances but we need to know of changes in your ability to meet your expressed commitment.
How much are the fees?
- See our Pricing document for details.
How are the fees set and what is my money being used for?
- Our budgeting and accounting process is transparent and a complete budget and accounts are available to each applicant or member upon request.
- Fees pay for expenses and administration of the garden activities, including seeds, compost, and outside contracted services. For example, our paid Garden Focilizer and Stabilizer oversee activities, methods and general administration activities.
- The membership price is set according to Associative Economic (AE) principles and methods. Information about AE and this year’s pricing meeting is available. . All profits are gifted to the TWS children’s gardening education program.
Is there a partial share or can people share a membership as a couple?
See our Pricing document for details of this year’s pricing options. Changes from previous years have been introduced this year.
How many members are there?
This year we have a capacity for 65 members
What is expected of members?
- Members must respect the needs of the garden and our social organism and agree to cooperate and take direction from the Focilizer and the Garden Leads.
- Members are welcome to work alone, in families, or in a group. We encourage members to join in the many group “Frolics”
- It is important for members to learn about our organization and methods from our Guides during orientation, other experienced gardeners, and from our current documents, and agreements.
- Attending our garden meetings during our famous monthly Potluck dinners and scheduled garden “walk-abouts” is a great place to ask question and to learn the basics. It is also a good opportunity for information exchange, to meet each other face to face, and have fun together in the larger group.
- Members are responsible for their own safety and insurance as per the signup application and waiver. The CCG2008, its members and administration assume no liability for the other members and does not carry collective liability insurance or funds.
- Members are required to fill out an application form with their personal contact information, proof of home insurance (a requirement of our Land-owners, TWS), and member profile. Email addresses will not be disseminated without your prior permission.
- For more details on the Membership Agreement or the Application Form, please contact Jeff Klein at 416-554-4811
How do Members communicate?
- See our “Communications” Document.
How will produce be shared and distributed?
- The garden is based upon a collective plot rather than individual plots.
- Yields from the garden will be shared proportionally according to your contributions which you chart as the season unfolds. For more information, see our Harvest Sharing guideline document
- We aim to share any excess harvest. For example, this may include Hesperus Fellowship Community and the food bank (Food Share Toronto).
Note: Given the nature of gardening, we cannot predict the yield of the garden. Yield will depend on many factors including:
- Weather
- Timing and completion of critical activities
- Member engagement and time contribution
Who runs this garden and how is it organized?
The land was leased under contract with the Toronto Waldorf School in exchange for $1 per year for 2008. The Garden is entirely self-funded and managed independently of the school. We also have a small group of people (“Star Keepers”) which holds and ensures the vision and mission of the garden from year to year but assumes no operations, financial accountability or responsibility for the garden
A team lead by a Focilizer and Stabilizer manage the garden. An overview of these roles are as follows;
- The Focilizer is responsible for instilling gardening expertise and methods, as well as overseeing the overall priorities and overall health of the garden
- The Stabilizer is responsible for the administration, overall economics, contracts, the organization, policies and infrastructure
- Garden Guides provide orientation and training to support new garden members
- Garden Aspect Leads are experienced CCG gardeners who oversee a specific crop or garden aspect, and communicate needs of each crop on the Shed Board for other members to see
- The Equalizer is responsible for helping the membership hold and resolve conflicts and helping sort out rights issues, if necessary
- Promotions and Sign-up team provides information and awareness to the public of what are the various aspects and benefits of CCG Garden are and recruits new members
- The Social Coordinator, and Education Coordinator organize potlucks, social events, workshops, field trips, canning and preserving sessions, etc
- Other external contracted services include; farm experts and web-site management
As a Member, what are the primary benefits?
- Learn about organic & biodynamic farming and gardening practices
- Share in planting, cultivating and harvesting organic food
- Be part of a socially oriented garden operation, organization, and economics
- Enjoy exercise, fresh air, sunshine & even rain
- Eat fresh, local and well loved veggies
- Make new friends and enjoy social activities
- Participate in sumptuous garden potluck dinners and other events
- Enhance fertility of the soil to establish the garden for the future
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