Plot Twist

Youth Gardening Clubs

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Why 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. Along with incentivizing participation, building youth governance structures around each garden helps to ensure every garden’s sustainability and 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’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.

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Two fists raised with thumbs up gesture, depicted in a dotted art style on a black background.

Club Readiness Checklist

A stylized illustration of a hand with a dotted pattern in yellow and purple on a black background.
A stylized illustration of a hand with a dotted pattern in yellow and purple on a black background.
Pop art style of a hand with fingers in a pinching gesture, colored in purple and yellow dots.
Pop art style of a hand with fingers in a pinching gesture, colored in purple and yellow dots.

Gardening Club Roles

  • Club Directors guide the overall operations of their Plot Twist Gardening Club. They plan the club’s growing seasons, organize meetings, coordinate group activities, and help ensure the club achieves 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.

    Club Director Roles:

    Meeting Director (1)

    Budget Director (1)

    Community Engagement Director (1)

    Garden Co-Directors (2)

    Distribution Director (1)

    Director Responsibilities:

    Schedule meetings & organize club activities

    Encourage participation & welcome new members

    Delegate responsibilities among club members

    Identify community needs that the gardening club can realistically support

    Develop planting plans based on community needs, soil, climate, growing seasons.

    Plan harvests & distribution

    Track all expenses & receipts

  • Club members work together to grow food, care for the garden, and support their community while developing friendships & skills.

    Club Member Responsibilities:

    Attend club meetings

    Participate in group gardening events & educational activities

    Support the garden’s creation, planting, watering, harvesting, distribution, maintenance & seed harvesting

  • 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.

    1. Site & Compliance Advisor(s): Ensures club establish a compliant, accessible & practical garden space.

    Help secure permission for the garden site

    Review legal & logistical requirements

    Assist with permits or approvals, when needed

    Coordinate with gep regarding required documentation

    Help evaluate potential garden locations for feasibility & accessibility

    2. Community Advisor(s): Connects club with community resources, partnerships & opportunities.

    Help identify local resources & partnerships

    Assist with harvest distribution logistics

    Encourage community engagement

    3. Finance Advisor(s): Supports Budget Director in responsibly managing club resources. Financial liaison between the club & gep.

    Review the club’s proposed budget before submission

    Verify that funding requests are reasonable and completed correctly

    Review receipts and expense documentation before they’re submitted to gep

    Serve as POC for financial matters between the club & gep

    4. Garden Advisor(s): Oversees garden’s horticultural success.

    Mentors Garden Directors

    Reviews garden designs & planting plans

    Advise on soil, irrigation, planting, seed harvesting & garden maintenance

    Help troubleshoot gardening challenges

    Share gardening knowledge & skills with club members

    Promote safe gardening practices & proper tool use

  • 1. Assign Club Directors

    2. Establish reliable communication network with Advisors & gep

    3. Recruit club members

    4. Plans first meeting

  • 1. Introductions

    2. Review readiness checklist

    3. Assign responsibilities

    4. Schedule future meetings

  • 1. Identify potential garden sites

    2. Evaluate locations

    3. Research necessary permissions

  • 1. Identify community impact goals

    2. Determine who the garden will support with food-insecure children prioritized

    3. Begin developing a plan of distribution

  • 1. Design garden layout

    2. Identify necessary materials & supplies for development

    3. Ensure the design is realistic & sustainable

  • 1. Research & plan crops based on community impact goals, growing seasons, climate, etc.

    2. Develop a one-year planting schedule

  • 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

  • 1. Review applicable planning documents

    2. Provide recommendations for improvement

    3. Confirm documents are ready by initialing where applicable

  • 1. Incorporate advisor feedback

    2. Finalize documents

    3. Submit Readiness Packet to gep for sponsorship & funding

Partner with Plot Twist

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 at connect@goldeneyesproject.com or fill out a contact form using the button below.

gep's Contact Form