Develop a data collection and implementation plan for three community garden proposals (vegetable, pollinator, fruit).

The primary objective is to gather comprehensive data on community needs, preferences, resource availability, and the feasibility of each garden proposal (vegetable, pollinator, fruit) to enable an informed decision.

• Community Surveys: Design and distribute surveys (online and paper-based, translated into local languages if necessary) to a representative sample of community members. Questions will gauge interest in each garden type, perceived benefits (e.g., addressing food insecurity, supporting local ecology, providing fresh produce), willingness to volunteer, and preferred location.
• Focus Groups and Interviews: Conduct focus groups with diverse community segments (e.g., families, seniors, local businesses, environmental groups) to gather qualitative insights into their priorities, concerns, and expectations for a community garden. Conduct one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders such as local food bank managers, beekeepers, and community leaders.
• Site Assessments: Perform detailed assessments of the three potential land plots. This includes soil testing, sunlight exposure analysis, water access evaluation, and identification of existing flora and fauna. This data will inform the practical feasibility of each garden type.
• Resource Inventory: Document available community resources, including potential volunteer labor, tools, materials, and potential funding sources (e.g., grants, local donations).

• Phase 1: Planning (1 week)
  • Develop survey questionnaires and interview guides.
  • Identify target demographics for surveys and focus groups.
  • Secure necessary permissions for site access and community engagement activities.
• Phase 2: Data Gathering (3-4 weeks)
  • Distribute and collect surveys from the community.
  • Organize and conduct focus group sessions and stakeholder interviews.
  • Carry out on-site environmental assessments of the proposed plots.
  • Compile information on available resources.
• Phase 3: Data Analysis (2-3 weeks)
  • Analyze quantitative data from surveys to identify statistical trends in preferences and needs.
  • Synthesize qualitative data from focus groups and interviews to understand underlying community sentiments and priorities.
  • Integrate site assessment findings with garden type requirements to determine feasibility.
  • Compare the findings against the three garden proposals.
• Phase 4: Reporting and Recommendation (1 week)
  • Prepare a comprehensive report summarizing all findings, including community preferences, resource availability, and the feasibility of each garden type.
  • Formulate clear, data-driven recommendations for the community centre's board of directors, outlining which garden type best aligns with community needs and available resources.
  • Present the report and recommendations to the board for their informed decision.