Fairfield Community Garden (FCG) Member Agreement 2026

The Leadership Team
Coordinators: Barbara Rainbow (Director), Faith Reeves (Soil Health Educator), Karen DeAngelis (Manager)
Quadrant Contacts: Jill Hebert (QA), Monica Haward (QB)

Please read and indicate your agreement by checking each box at the end of the sections.

• Each member must provide and maintain an active email address and phone number. It is your responsibility to check your messages from the FCG regularly, respond promptly, and stay informed.
• Each member is required to attend an orientation meeting before preparing their plot or planting.
• Locking codes are provided at the orientation meeting and are not to be shared with any non-members without written consent by the Coordinators. Each member is responsible for properly locking the tool shed and gate before leaving the garden.
• Keep the entrance gate closed at all times.
• If visitors come to the garden, do not invite them in unless you are willing to host them and enforce the rules.
• Children 16 years old and younger must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times. While in the garden, children must stay within their own family's plot or on established paths.
• Pets are not allowed inside the fenced garden area.
• Bring your own drinking water. The City water from the hydrant is considered not safe for drinking. However, it is safe for watering gardens, cleaning equipment, and washing your hands.
• Plots must show evidence of being planted by May 15th, or the plot may be forfeited.
• No invasive plants, corn, or woody perennials are allowed in member plots.
• Commercial operations or the sale of garden products are not permitted.
• Plants over 6’ tall must not interfere with neighboring plots and they must be staked or trellised.
• Use only organic fertilizers and soil amendments. Synthetic fertilizers and animal manure are not allowed.
• Use only organic insect and disease control methods. Synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are not permitted. If a threat to other plots arises, the Coordinators may require special control measures.
• Monthly workshops, demonstrations, and pot lucks will be offered throughout the growing season and all members are encouraged to participate.
• Each member is asked to contribute at least 4 hours of community garden volunteer service per growing season to help maintain our shared spaces. Scheduled work parties will be organized and all members are encouraged to participate.
• The garden is a smoke-free and alcohol-free area. Loud radios or music are not allowed.
• Security and Safety: Call 911 if there is an emergency. Report any security or safety issues to the Coordinators as soon as possible. Their contact information is posted inside the tool shed. This includes the gate or tool shed being left unlocked, the water left on, vandalism, harassment, illegal activities, or theft. Also report any damage to the garden infrastructure, tools, equipment, or water system so they can be repaired.
• Share your ideas, concerns, or recommendations with the Leadership Team. If you were a 2025 member, please fill out the  FGC 2025 Feedback form.

• Keep your plot and the pathway around it tidy and weed-free.
• Let the Coordinators know if you need gardening assistance.
• If you are unable to maintain your plot, please notify the Coordinators.
• Keep garden activities within your plot, and avoid extending into adjacent plots or pathways.
• Limit watering time to 30 minutes if others are waiting. Only use hand sprayers or watering cans to water. Be careful when moving hoses to avoid damaging neighboring plots. Always check that the water hydrant is turned off when not in use and before locking the gate. Report any leaks to the Coordinators immediately.
• Clean any tools or garden equipment you borrow from the lending library and return them to their designated storage areas.
• Control your rambling vines by using the provided trellises and keep them out of the pathway.
• Mulch your plot with the provided organic straw to prevent weeds and conserve water.
• Remove your weeds and plant matter from the garden. Place them at the edge of the woods, south of the garden, but not on the mowed grass areas. Do not leave any plant matter in The City Park and Recreation Department trash cans.
• Remove any infested or diseased plants from the area. Please take them home for disposal.
• Take your trash with you when you leave.
• Do not plant, weed, water, amend, fertilize or harvest another person’s plot without their permission.
• Each member is responsible for completely clearing their plot at the end of the growing season.

• Registration for the following year opens first to current members. They may request the same plot for the next season.
• To be eligible for early registration, members must complete this application and submit it, be in good standing, and pay their membership fee by the announced deadline.

• We will not share your contact information without your prior approval. However, we encourage you to connect with other members in ways you are comfortable with. A list of member names and their plot numbers is posted inside the tool shed. The Fairfield, Iowa Community Garden Group on Facebook is a members-only platform for connecting and sharing.
• The garden will be periodically inspected for maintenance issues. If a plot or the surrounding pathways have problems – such as excessive weeds, insect infestations, plant diseases, or spoiled produce - the member will be notified by email with a 7-day deadline to correct the problem. If the issue continues, a second warning email will be sent with another 7-day deadline. If the problem is not corrected after the two email notifications (14 days), the member will not be eligible for a plot the next growing season, and the Coordinators may determine the plot has been abandoned and will have it cleared.
• Our community garden thrives on respect, open communication, cooperation, tolerance, and privacy. We encourage all members to engage in these values in all interactions within the garden space.  If the Leadership Team receives a report of inappropriate behavior, the involved members will be contacted privately to fully understand the situation. The Leadership Team will then make recommendations for a resolution and follow up with a written communication outlining the expectations and necessary changes in behavior. Continued misbehavior, after these steps, may lead to revocation or non-renewal of garden membership.
• By using the garden plot, you acknowledge and agree that the garden Leadership Team and the City of Fairfield are not responsible for preserving or protecting your plot. Any loss or damage to your products, property, or any other loss related to the use of the garden plot is your sole responsibility.
• Continued use of the garden is at the sole discretion of the Coordinators. The decision to revoke a plot is made by the Leadership Team and refunds are generally not available.

• After clicking the submit button, you will receive a submission confirmation email. 
• We'll reach out to you soon with information for the membership payment. 
• In early February, you will receive important details about the 2026 growing season.
• If you have any questions about the application process, and/or difficulty submitting your application or payment, please send an email to fairfieldiowacommunitygarden@gmail.com, and we'll get back to you soon.