Plot Twist
Youth Gardening Clubs
Plot Twist combines three evidence-based models for positive youth development: community gardens, youth clubs & youth governance. Together, they create opportunities for children to grow food, build leadership skills & strengthen their communities. Research has shown that community gardens alone can:
Improve food security
Increase fruit & vegetable consumption
Boost mental & physical health
Improve engagement in science & environmental education
Encourage active, outdoor play
Build confidence & responsibility
Teach practical life skills
Strengthen communities
Reduce crime & vandalism
Beautify neighborhoods
Support local wildlife & pollinators
By organizing community gardens with clubs of youth governance, Plot Twist builds on research showing that children display stronger engagement when they have a sense of belonging, meaningful leadership opportunities & ownership over their work.
Why Gardening Clubs?
Along with incentivizing participation, building youth governance structures around each garden helps to ensure every garden’s sustainability & community benefits.
gep’s Plot Twist initiative supports more than traditional garden plots. We transform underutilized spaces into thriving gardens of all forms: garden beds, vertical gardens, container gardens & other creative growing solutions that help children and their communities learn how to grow food resourcefully.
Like all of gep’s community-based initiatives, a Plot Twist Gardening Club can be developed by a child participating in our remote mentorship program, gep Magazine. gep also partners with schools, afterschool programs & other organizations supporting childhood development to bring the gift of gardening to children.
Plot Twist will begin with three pilot gardening clubs designed to test & refine the initiative’s model before expanding public outreach. The pilot will help evaluate youth leadership structures, gardening processes, community partnership opportunities & resource needs while gathering feedback to strengthen the program for future clubs.
Plot Twist’s Model
gep’s Plot Twist initiative equips children with the structure & support necessary to build a sustainable community garden. The Plot Twist initiative provides club creators with a readiness checklist developed with governance structures, policies, templates, educational materials, reporting processes & more.
As gep develops a trusted Advisory Board for each club, children work together to fulfill Club Director roles, complete their readiness checklist, and begin recruiting members to bring their local Plot Twist Gardening Club to life.
Gardening Club Roles
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Club Directors work together to guide the overall operations of their Plot Twist Gardening Club. Each Director takes responsibility for a specific area of club operations while collaborating with the other Directors to coordinate activities, plan growing seasons & help the club achieve its community impact goals.
Director roles are intended for youth who demonstrate the maturity, commitment & organizational skills needed to fulfill the responsibilities of the position.
Meeting Director: Schedules club meetings & coordinates club activities with the Engagement Director.
Budget Director: Tracks expenses & receipts and serves as the club’s point of contact for the Budget Advisor & gep.
Engagement Director: Encourages participation, welcomes new members & helps delegate responsibilities among club members.
Garden Co-Directors: Two directors who work together to oversee planting plans based on community needs, soil, climate, growing seasons & other local conditions.
Distribution Director: Researches community needs the gardening club can realistically support and leads harvest & distribution planning.
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All club members work together to grow food, care for their garden & support their community while building friendships, knowledge & real-world skills.
Club Rules:
1. Attend & participate in club meetings as much as possible.
2. Participate in gardening & club events when you can.
3. Care for your club’s garden like you mean it.
4. Help distribute harvests and support your community.
5. Remember to harvest & save seeds.
6. Share ideas & responsibilities to help achieve club’s goals.
7. Respect your fellow club members, your garden, your community & all wildlife that interact with your garden.
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The Advisory Board provides local expertise, oversight & practical support while empowering club members to lead their own community garden.
Once a club creator requests a Club Readiness Checklist, gep supports the club’s development by recruiting, onboarding & approving local Advisory support.
Club members are also encouraged to nominate trusted adults from their community to gep who are interested in serving as advisors.
Site & Compliance Advisors: Ensures club establish a compliant, accessible & practical garden space.
1. Help secure permission for the garden site
2. Review legal & logistical requirements
3. Assist with permits or approvals, when needed
4. Coordinate with gep regarding required documentation
5. Help evaluate potential garden locations for feasibility & accessibility
Community Advisors: Connects club with community resources, partnerships & opportunities.
1. Help identify local resources & partnerships
2. Assist with harvest distribution logistics
3. Encourage community engagement
Finance Advisors: Supports Budget Director in responsibly managing club resources. Financial liaison between the club & gep.
1. Review the club’s proposed budget before submission
2. Verify that funding requests are reasonable and completed correctly
3. Review receipts and expense documentation before they’re submitted to gep
4. Serve as POC for financial matters between the club & gep
Garden Advisors: Oversees garden’s horticultural success.
1. Mentors Garden Directors
2. Reviews garden designs & planting plans
3. Advise on soil, irrigation, planting, seed harvesting & garden maintenance
4. Help troubleshoot gardening challenges
5. Share gardening knowledge & skills with club members
6. Promote safe gardening practices & proper tool use
Club Readiness Checklist
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1. Assign Club Directors
2. Establish network with Advisors & gep
3. Recruit club members
4. Plans first meeting
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1. Give introductions
2. Review the club’s readiness checklist
3. Assign responsibilities
4. Schedule the next meeting
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1. Identify potential garden sites
2. Evaluate locations
3. Research necessary permissions
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1. Identify community impact goals
2. Determine who the garden will support
3. Begin developing a plan of distribution
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1. Design garden layout
2. Identify materials & supplies for development
3. Ensure the design is realistic & sustainable
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1. Research & plan crops based on community impact goals, growing seasons, climate, etc.
2. Develop a one-year planting schedule
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1. Estimate all required items for the garden’s creation, supporting the annual planting plan & proper garden maintenance
2. Itemize all materials & supplies with a total estimated cost
3. Prepare the funding request
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1. Review applicable planning documents
2. Provide recommendations for improvement
3. Confirm documents are ready by initialing where applicable
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1. Incorporate advisor feedback
2. Finalize documents
3. Submit Readiness Packet to gep for sponsorship & funding
Partnerships
We’re seeking partners to support the establishment of three gardens for Plot Twist’s pilot program. Together, we’ll create vibrant spaces for children to grow food, develop leadership skills & strengthen their communities.
Support may include funding, garden supplies, tools, seeds, lumber, educational materials, volunteer expertise or other resources that help children grow and connect with nature.
If your organization is interested in supporting Plot Twist’s pilot program, we’d love to connect. Please email us using the link below.