West Fargo staff outlines interest, obstacles for new community gardens

Aaron Nelson, West Fargo director of planning, briefed the City Commission on the results of stakeholder conversations about community gardens in West Fargo and surrounding jurisdictions.

Nelson said the item was informational and asked the commission to "receive and file" the report. He told commissioners staff had met with more than a dozen landholders and organizations since a June 16, 2024, commission direction to explore partnerships and opportunities for community gardens.

"While there are many knowledgeable stakeholders and entities that own land and are interested in hosting community gardens, none of these entities were looking to undertake the critical task of administering and championing the creation of new community gardens, at least not at this time," Nelson said. He noted the West Fargo Park District previously operated more than 75 garden plots at Elmwood Park until about 2000, when maintenance, neighbor concerns and theft contributed to program cessation.

Nelson summarized existing activity: a neighborhood-scale community garden operating under a 2011 land agreement, city forestry-managed community orchards, church-run plots with high demand (including Red River Church), and programs run by regional groups such as Cass Clay Food Partners and Growing Together Community Gardens. He identified potential landholders willing to host gardens if a leader emerged, including the Red River Valley Fairgrounds and parcels associated with the Metro Flood Diversion Authority.

Nelson said the common missing element for establishing new gardens is a "catalyst entity" to provide ongoing administration — managing plots, users and maintenance. "Without that key element, it's really hard to have a successful community garden," he said. He also thanked Leslie, the city's former senior planner who prepared the slide deck included in the meeting packet.

Commissioners asked whether information about community gardens appears on the city website; Nelson said it does not currently but staff could create a web resource. Commissioner Zundell noted that community orchards operated by the public works forestry division are already mapped on the city website.

The presentation concluded with staff recommendations to maintain outreach to potential partners, consider future land lease agreements similar to the 2011 neighborhood garden lease, and explore enhancing support for Cass Clay Food Partners' regional efforts if the commission wishes to pursue gardens further. No formal action was requested or taken beyond receiving and filing the information.

Public comment earlier in the meeting included resident David Withy of 2421 McLeod Drive East, who thanked commissioners and staff for their work in 2024 and expressed support for continued civic services; his remarks were not specific to the gardens item.

Nelson said the Technical Education Center (a local educational partnership that includes West Fargo Public Schools) plans to launch agricultural education programming in fall 2025, which could present future partnership opportunities for gardens.

Staff flagged next steps: (1) continue stakeholder outreach, (2) consider a city-hosted web resource listing existing garden and orchard opportunities, and (3) pursue lease or partnership agreements when a capable administering organization expresses interest.