Community gardens are more than just beautiful places to gather — they connect communities to food, nature, and one another. They create spaces for neighbors to meet, learn, share resources, and build stronger relationships.

A thriving community garden depends on community involvement. When neighbors work together, gardens become vibrant hubs for education, wellness, and connection.

What Is a Garden Steward?

Southside ReLeaf supports two community gardens in South Richmond: Blackwell Community Garden and Stockton Community Garden. We are looking for dedicated individuals to join our cohort of Garden Stewards.

We believe in a collective governance model, meaning the responsibilities of garden stewardship are shared across the community. This is an opportunity to become a leader, organizer, and gardener in your community while helping shape the future of food access, shared green space, and urban agriculture in Richmond. Collective governance is a model shared by Richmond Grows Gardens, a City of Richmond program that converts vacant city-owned lots into community gardens.

Garden Stewards are community members who help support the garden through gardening, organizing, outreach, maintenance, and other forms of participation. Whether you’re planting vegetables, coordinating volunteers, or helping connect neighbors to the space, Garden Stewards are considered site leaders.

Together, Garden Stewards help determine the garden's direction and support its overall operation—from community engagement to materials management and site maintenance. Stewards also serve as the primary point of contact with the City and help ensure that the garden adheres to City guidelines and expectations.

In addition, Garden Stewards become part of a broader gardening, farming, and urban agriculture network through Richmond Grows Gardens. Stewards have access to shared supplies and resources and play an active role in shaping Richmond’s urban agriculture community.

How Does it Work?

Time Commitment

One person or pair signs up for one full week at a time. Stewards will need to visit their assigned garden 2–3 times during their assigned week.

Volunteer Duties & Responsibilities

• Participate in decision-making around what is planted in the garden.

• Help maintain the garden, including watering and weeding.

• Support the organization of community workdays and events.

• Help foster a welcoming and collaborative community space.

Qualifications & Required Skills

You do not need prior gardening experience for this role, though it is a plus.

We are looking for committed, reliable, and collaborative individuals who can help these garden spaces thrive.

Our Goal

We need at least four committed volunteers, which would allow each person to cover only one week per month. More Garden Stewards are welcome to join — more hands make lighter work for all!

Interested in Getting Involved?

Garden Steward Interest Meeting
June 6, 3 - 4 p.m.
Blackwell Community Garden

Can’t make the meeting but still interested in becoming a Garden Steward? Email Syd at syd@southsidereleaf.org.