Las Milpitas de Cottonwood Community Farm Plot Application & Waiver 2405 S. Cottonwood Lane, Tucson, AZ 85713 Welcome! Thank you for your interest in community gardening. Las Milpitas de Cottonwood Community Farm is a project of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona in partnership with Pima County and City High School. This six-acre farm is located on the banks of the Santa Cruz River, an area with a rich history and agricultural heritage. We work directly within the city of Tucson to create an inclusive and participatory community farm where residents can grow healthy food for themselves and their families. Through participation at the farm, gardeners can reclaim their farming heritage and promote food justice and security, environmental stewardship and self-sufficiency in their communities. GARDENER INFORMATION Each gardener should fill out their own waiver and application, even if sharing a plot. Name: Phone number: Home: Cell: Name of fellow gardener, if sharing a plot: Preferred method of contact: CALL EMAIL TEXT Languages you speak: Preferred language: Describe your gardening experience. What interests you about a community farm? What skills or interests do you have that you would like to share with the farm community? 1
As a gardener, you will have the opportunity to collaborate with other gardeners in teams to complete projects around the farm for volunteer hours. Please circle one area of interest: Compost Bees Irrigation Communications/event planning Worms Seedlings and seed saving Garden maintenance Rainwater harvesting Cooking Other: I have read the gardener rights and responsibilities and the Las Milpitas Code of Conduct. I agree to the terms of my plot and guidelines outlined in the attached document. Gardener signature Date: Staff signature Date: Submit your completed application at the Community Food Bank at 3003 S. Country Club Rd. or via email to eortiz@communityfoodbank.org. 2
GARDENER RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES The farm requires active participation from and collaboration with all gardeners in order to ensure that the space can be enjoyed by all. As a Las Milpitas gardener and community member, you are participating in a shared agreement with both rights and responsibilities. You may keep your plot as long as you abide by this agreement. As a Las Milpitas gardener, I have the right to: Basic amenities such as water, soil amendments, seeds/seedlings and garden tools from the Butterfly Shed. I will respect the rights of others by caring for, properly storing and locking materials after use. Orientation to the farm on Planting Day and assistance with my plot from Milpitas staff and/or Garden Leaders. Organize and host events at Las Milpitas. I will submit an event request form and coordinate with staff at least two weeks in advance. Equal opportunity and non-discrimination. A reasonably harmonious environment, and conflict resolution measures when necessary. Regular participation and contribution to the farm. Community meetings occur once a month (please see schedule). My participation, contribution and ideas for the farm will be highly valued and I am encouraged to attend. My responsibilities as a Las Milpitas gardener: Attend Planting Day. If I cannot attend, I am responsible for notifying staff ahead of time and scheduling another day to plant. Care for the land. I will not use non-organic pesticides and herbicides, or synthetic fertilizers. If I am not sure if something is allowed, I will talk with farm staff. Regularly maintain my plot and pathways around it. This includes planting, harvesting, pruning, weeding, and checking for leaks. Plants should not encroach into common areas. Personalization and barriers must remain within the dimensions of my plot and not impede access to nearby plots. If illness, travel, etc. prevent me from caring for my plot, I will inform farm staff and identify a temporary person to maintain it in my absence. A minimum of 3 volunteer hours per month toward community farm efforts by attending at least one community work day a month. This does not include maintaining my plot. Work days are a fun way to get involved at Las Milpitas and meet fellow gardeners! Three options are: First Friday clean-ups (evening), Thursday work days (morning), or Second Saturday work days (morning). I must regularly log these hours in the hours log, located in the Butterfly Shed. If I can t attend any of the events, I can contact staff for alternative days/times. 3
Conserve water. My plot is watered once a day for approximately 30 min. on drip irrigation. I will not additionally water my plot. I will fix leaks when possible and, if not, inform a staff member ASAP regarding a leak. I can use mulch (leaves, chop and drop, or hay) on top of the soil to hold moisture in the ground. Respect plots. I will not harvest food, pull flowers or weeds from another plot without permission. Respect for others. I will be civil and cooperative with other gardeners, neighbors, staff and the public. I will adhere to the Las Milpitas Code of Conduct (attached at the end of this application). If I can no longer care for my plot, I will notify farm staff and establish a timeline for removing any structures and non-plant materials. LAS MILPITAS GARDENER, VOLUNTEER, AND VISITOR CODE OF CONDUCT Each gardener is a valuable member of the community farm. Be civil and cooperative with other gardeners, Community Food Bank staff and the public. Do not harvest food, pull weeds, or pick flowers from another plot without permission from the gardener or farm staff. Use common courtesy and resolve differences in a neighborly way. Remember to stay polite and listen carefully. If you are unable to resolve differences, please contact Community Food Bank staff as soon as possible. No harassment or abuse of any kind is permitted or tolerated on Community Food Bank property, including but not limited to: o Laying a hand upon, striking, or threatening another person. o Sexual harassment and nonconsensual physical contact of any kind. o Harassment on the basis of a protected characteristic that shows hostility toward another individual. o Use of foul language (swearing) or abusive verbal attacks aimed at anyone in the farm space. o Engaging in abusive written communications with gardeners, volunteers, staff, or visitors. 4
Respectfully welcome visitors to the farm. The farm is open to visitors during the following hours: Tuesday-Saturday, April-September 7 am-2 pm, October-March 8 am-3 pm. If visitors ask you questions you re not comfortable answering, please direct them to Las Milpitas staff. Pets are not permitted inside the farm. Be safe, for the benefit of yourself and others. Respect the safety and privacy of others. Pick up after yourself and do not leave items or trash in the common areas. The possession of firearms is prohibited in the farm space. No consumption of drugs or alcohol are allowed on site. Gardeners or visitors will leave any portion of the farm immediately upon being told by a Community Food Bank staff person or volunteer. CONSEQUENCES If you fail to follow any of the above rules/responsibilities or Code of Conduct, a member of Las Milpitas staff will contact you and establish a reasonable period of time to correct the problem, up to 30 days. After that time, staff will revisit the situation with you to assess progress and 14 additional days to correct the problem. If the situation does not improve after that time, you may be asked to leave your plot. If you have an interpersonal problem at the farm that you need help resolving, please contact a staff member as soon as possible. Questions about the rules? Contact Elena Ortiz: 520-275-6699, eortiz@communityfoodbank.org. 5
Please print legibly. Community Food Bank Volunteer Application Date: / / Name: Email: Tel: ( ) Cell: ( ) Address: City: State: Zip: Emergency Contact Tel: 1. How did you hear about the Community Food Bank? (i.e., school, civic group / club, church, requirement, other): 2. Are you completing community service for any of these reasons? (Mark One) Court Requirement: Government-sponsored program? Housing: JOBS: Student Requirement? Other: Number of Hours Required Required Completion Date: 3. Physical Limitations: (Mark) Please explain / comments: Are you taking any medications we should be aware of? No Yes Do you have back problems? No Yes Do you prefer a seated volunteer position? No Yes How many pounds do you feel comfortable lifting? lbs 4. General Availability: (Mark when you are available.) Weekdays Weekends Evenings Special Events (Please write your email address above.) 5. Interests: Please mark your areas of interest. Customer Service/ Distributing Food: Children s Programs: Sorting/Packing Food: Garden/Farm: General Office Work: Advocacy/Policy/Research: Data Entry/Computer: Special Events: (Please write email above.) 6. How many other places do you volunteer? 7. Would you like to receive the CFB newsletter? Yes: No: Survey information: (Optional information for grant writing and funding purposes.) Age: Birthday: (month/day) Ethnicity: (Circle One): White (Non-Hispanic) Hispanic African-American Asian Other Education: (Circle One): <9 th Grade 9 th -12 th Dipl/GED Some College Assoc Degree Bachelors Masters PhD/Doctorate Income Range/Yr: (Circle One) <$25K $25K-$40K $40K-$60K $60K+ Occupation: Language Skills: Spanish Other Languages: Office Use Only: Rec d By: Walk-in? Needs Call Assigned? No Yes Dept: Start date: Date of Tour: Not Active Closed C:\Users\cfaught\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\OLK3FB9\Volunteer Application draft.doc
Volunteer Consent Thank you for agreeing to volunteer at the Community Food Bank. Your work will help to feed hungry people in Pima County. We appreciate all the work that volunteers do for us and we hope to make this a satisfying and fun experience for you as well. These guidelines have been established to create a safe, productive and gratifying volunteer experience for everyone. Community Food Bank Policies 1. Volunteers must not report to the Community Food Bank (CFB) under the influence of alcohol or any other mind-altering drug/substance. 2. Individuals convicted of a violent crime or any type of domestic abuse will not be accepted as volunteers. 3. All matters pertaining to clients will be considered strictly confidential. 4. Dress is expected to be appropriate. Nothing that may be a safety hazard will be permitted (i.e. loose fitting clothing or jewelry, opened toed shoes, sunglasses). Name tags must be worn at all times. 5. I agree to accurately record my volunteer time on the attendance sheets in each department. I must notify my area manager or Volunteer Services Coordinator as soon as possible if delayed or unable to keep my schedule. 6. If I have a question or a problem, I will go to the Volunteer Services Coordinator or to the Operations Director 7. When representing the Community Food Bank in public, I will act professionally, upholding the mission of the CFB. 8. No forms of harassment will be tolerated. The Community Food Bank is committed to providing a work environment where women and men can work together comfortably and productively, free from all forms of harassment, sexual or otherwise. 9. Eating is allowed only in the lunchroom where snacks are provided to be consumed only at CFB. There is no smoking in the warehouse or lunchroom at any time. Smoking is allowed outdoors 100 feet away from the building. 10. Report any accidents or injuries to your immediate supervisor or the Volunteer Coordinator. Report all injuries including minor injuries such as bruises and scrapes. Fill out an accident report provided by your supervisor. In return the Community Food Bank agrees to 1. Provide adequate job training. 2. Provide adequate space and good working conditions. 3. Maintain record of all volunteer hours. 4. Provide references and /or confirmation of hours worked (with advance notice). 5. As an equal opportunity employer, it is our policy to ensure that each volunteer is accorded equal treatment and opportunity. 6. The Volunteer Manager will provide further information on these policies through the Volunteer Manual (located in each department and in the reception area) or individually on request. Safety Standards and Emergency Procedures 1. Work according to good safety practices as posted, instructed and discussed. 2. Refrain from any unsafe act that might endanger oneself, the people we serve or co-workers. 3. Use all safety devices provided for your protection- failure to comply with safety requirements could result in immediate dismissal. 4. Report any unsafe situation or acts immediately to your supervisor. 5. Fires or emergencies should be reported to the supervisor. If evacuation is required, volunteers should use the closest unaffected exit in a quick and calm manner. Move as far away from the building as possible for your safety and make room for emergency vehicles. C:\Users\cfaught\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\OLK3FB9\Volunteer Application draft.doc
Waivers 1. I hereby agree to hold harmless and waive any and all claims or causes of action against the Community Food Bank arising out of any cause whatsoever, including but not limited to claims arising out of the negligence on intentional conduct of its employees or agents. 2. I attest that I am physically fit and prepared to perform the tasks assigned to me as a Community Food Bank volunteer. 3. I further agree to use my personal insurance as the primary provider in the event of injury due to my work as a volunteer for the Community Food Bank. 4. I shall not operate a personal vehicle for volunteer activities unless I have at least the minimum amount of liability insurance required by Arizona law. 5. The Community Food Bank is not responsible for loss or damage to volunteer s personal property. 6. I also grant the Community Food Bank full permission to use photographs of me. I have read, understand and agree to the above Community Food Bank policies, safety and emergency procedures, and waivers: Volunteer s Signature Date / / If under 18, signature of parent or legal guardian is required: Date / / Print Name(s): C:\Users\cfaught\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\OLK3FB9\Volunteer Application draft.doc