Residential Lawn-to-Food Garden Partnership Agreement
Two-Year Demonstration, Education & Stewardship Program
This Residential Lawn-to-Food Garden Partnership Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between:
Show Up and Grow, a nonprofit organization (“Show Up and Grow” or “Organization”)
and
Property Owner: ______________________________________________
Property Address: ____________________________________________
City/State/ZIP: ______________________________________________
Phone: _______________________ Email: ______________________
collectively referred to as the “Parties.”
Garden Area: Approximately 100 square feet of existing lawn or landscaped area designated for conversion into a food-producing garden (“Garden”).
Agreement Start Date: ______________________
Agreement End Date: ______________________
1. PURPOSE OF THE PARTNERSHIP
The purpose of this Agreement is to establish a two-year partnership between the Property Owner and Show Up and Grow to convert approximately 100 square feet of conventional lawn or landscaped area into a productive food garden.
The project is designed to:
replace a portion of conventional lawn with food-producing plants;
increase access to fresh, locally grown food;
improve soil health and biodiversity;
demonstrate regenerative and sustainable gardening practices;
provide hands-on gardening education;
create attractive and productive residential landscapes;
demonstrate practical alternatives to conventional lawn management;
encourage neighbors and communities to grow and share food;
create demonstration sites that can inspire additional lawn conversions; and
develop a replicable model for expanding residential food production.
The Parties recognize that the Garden is part of Show Up and Grow's nonprofit educational, environmental, food-access, and community-building mission.
This Agreement is intended to establish a Garden Partnership, not a conventional landscaping service arrangement.
2. TWO-YEAR GARDEN PARTNERSHIP
The Parties agree to participate in the Show Up and Grow Residential Food-Garden Program for an initial period of two (2) years.
The two-year period allows sufficient time for the Garden to be installed, established, observed through multiple growing seasons, maintained, evaluated, and transitioned toward long-term stewardship.
The goal is not for Show Up and Grow to maintain the Garden indefinitely. The goal is to establish a productive Garden, teach the Property Owner how to steward it, demonstrate the results, and use what is learned to help create additional gardens.
Year One — Assessment, Design, Installation & Establishment
During Year One, Show Up and Grow will generally:
assess the proposed Garden area;
evaluate sunlight, drainage, slope, soil conditions, existing vegetation, water access, and available growing space;
develop an appropriate Garden design;
select food-producing plants appropriate for the site;
prepare the site;
install the Garden;
establish plants and soil-building practices;
provide initial gardening education;
monitor establishment and make reasonable adjustments; and
document the Garden's progress.
Year One is primarily focused on establishing a healthy and productive Garden.
Year Two — Stewardship, Education & Transition
During Year Two, Show Up and Grow will:
continue reasonable Garden maintenance;
provide seasonal gardening guidance;
troubleshoot Garden problems;
replace or adjust plantings when reasonably necessary;
provide hands-on education;
encourage increasing participation by the Property Owner and household;
evaluate Garden productivity and ecological improvements;
document lessons learned; and
develop a transition plan for long-term stewardship.
Year Two is intended to help the Property Owner develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence necessary to maintain the Garden independently or with reduced assistance.
At the conclusion of the two-year term, the Parties may:
conclude the formal Show Up and Grow project;
transition the Garden to homeowner stewardship;
mutually agree to continue the demonstration partnership;
continue using the property as a demonstration site; or
enter into a new written agreement for additional services or programming.
Continued maintenance by Show Up and Grow after the two-year term is not guaranteed unless agreed to in writing.
3. GARDEN SITE
The Garden will be located at:
The approximate Garden area is 100 square feet.
A photograph, diagram, or site map may be attached as Exhibit A.
The Property Owner agrees not to substantially remove, pave, build upon, relocate, or otherwise interfere with the Garden during the project term without first discussing the proposed change with Show Up and Grow.
4. PROPERTY OWNERSHIP
The Property Owner retains ownership of the property and underlying land at all times.
Nothing in this Agreement transfers ownership of the property or creates a leasehold interest.
Unless otherwise agreed in writing, permanent improvements installed as part of the project—including perennial plants, fruit-producing plants, shrubs, trees, soil improvements, beds, paths, trellises, and similar improvements—will remain with the property.
Show Up and Grow retains ownership of its organizational materials, educational materials, designs, photographs, documentation, and other intellectual property.
5. ACCESS TO THE GARDEN
The Property Owner grants Show Up and Grow, its staff, volunteers, educators, contractors, and authorized representatives reasonable access to the Garden for purposes related to:
site assessment;
installation;
maintenance;
education;
harvesting;
documentation;
photography;
evaluation;
repair; and
replacement of Garden components.
Show Up and Grow will make reasonable efforts to coordinate visits with the Property Owner.
Access is limited to areas reasonably necessary for the Garden project.
6. PROPERTY OWNER PARTICIPATION
The Property Owner is encouraged to participate in the Garden to whatever degree is comfortable and practical.
Participation may include:
learning gardening skills;
planting;
watering;
harvesting;
observing plant and soil health;
attending educational sessions;
sharing produce;
helping neighbors learn about the project; and
eventually taking primary responsibility for Garden stewardship.
The Property Owner is not expected to have prior gardening experience.
The educational component of the program is intended to make food gardening accessible to people with different levels of knowledge and experience.
7. PROPERTY OWNER RESPONSIBILITIES
The Property Owner agrees to:
provide reasonable access to the Garden;
disclose known underground utilities, irrigation systems, septic systems, drainage systems, buried cables, or hazardous site conditions;
provide reasonable access to water when necessary for Garden establishment and maintenance, unless otherwise agreed;
notify Show Up and Grow of significant Garden problems;
avoid applying herbicides, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or other potentially harmful substances to the Garden without prior discussion;
avoid intentionally removing Garden plants or structures installed under this Agreement without consultation; and
notify Show Up and Grow before making substantial changes to the Garden area.
8. SHOW UP AND GROW RESPONSIBILITIES
Show Up and Grow will use reasonable care and good-faith efforts to design, install, maintain, educate, and support the Garden.
Practices may include:
organic and regenerative gardening;
composting;
mulching;
soil-building;
perennial food production;
annual vegetables;
herbs;
fruit-producing plants;
native and adapted plants;
pollinator habitat;
companion planting;
integrated pest management;
water conservation;
rainwater management; and
other appropriate ecological practices.
The Garden design may evolve as site conditions and Garden needs become apparent.
9. SITE ASSESSMENT & SOIL CONDITIONS
Show Up and Grow may recommend or conduct soil testing when appropriate.
If testing or observation identifies contamination or another condition that makes food production inappropriate, Show Up and Grow may modify, postpone, relocate, or decline portions of the Garden installation.
The Property Owner agrees to disclose known prior uses of the Garden area, including known applications of pesticides, herbicides, petroleum products, industrial chemicals, or other potentially hazardous substances.
No Party guarantees that Garden produce will be free from naturally occurring contaminants, pathogens, allergens, pests, or other food-related hazards.
Produce should be properly harvested, washed, stored, and handled before consumption.
10. GARDEN PRODUCE & RECIPROCITY
The Garden is intended to produce food for the benefit of the Property Owner, household, neighbors, and/or the broader community.
The Property Owner may choose how to participate in the project's reciprocity model.
The Property Owner may select one or more of the following:
☐ SHARE THE HARVEST
Share a portion of Garden produce with neighbors, family, friends, or community members.
☐ DONATE PRODUCE
Donate a portion of the harvest to Show Up and Grow for distribution to people experiencing food insecurity or other community needs.
☐ MAKE A VOLUNTARY DONATION
Make a voluntary cash donation to Show Up and Grow in an amount and at a frequency determined by the Property Owner.
☐ SUPPORT FUTURE GARDENS
Permit Show Up and Grow to harvest and sell a portion of the Garden's produce through an appropriate farmers market, farm stand, community event, or other lawful venue, with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit's mission and helping fund additional lawn-to-food-garden projects.
☐ COMBINATION
Use any combination of the above options.
No specific quantity of produce, percentage of harvest, or monetary contribution is required unless separately agreed to in writing.
The purpose of this provision is to encourage a culture of reciprocity, abundance, and community benefit, rather than create a mandatory fee or payment obligation.
11. SUPPORTING ADDITIONAL GARDEN CONVERSIONS
Where donations or produce-sale proceeds are received, Show Up and Grow may use unrestricted funds to support activities consistent with its nonprofit mission, including:
additional residential lawn conversions;
community gardens;
food-access programs;
gardening education;
youth programs;
soil-building projects;
seeds, plants, tools, and other gardening supplies;
volunteer programs;
demonstration gardens; and
community workshops.
The Property Owner acknowledges that participation in the program helps demonstrate a model that may be replicated at other properties.
12. PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO & PROJECT DOCUMENTATION
The Property Owner understands that Show Up and Grow may document the development of the Garden through photographs, video, written observations, measurements, and other project documentation.
Documentation may include:
before-and-after photographs;
Garden progress;
plants and harvests;
soil and landscape improvements;
installation activities;
educational activities; and
Garden outcomes.
Show Up and Grow may use Garden documentation for nonprofit:
educational purposes;
grant applications and reporting;
fundraising;
websites;
social media;
newsletters;
presentations;
promotional materials; and
community outreach.
The Organization will make reasonable efforts to obtain appropriate permission before intentionally identifying or prominently featuring the Property Owner or household members.
The Property Owner may request that identifiable images of themselves or household members not be used.
Property Owner Initials: __________
13. GARDEN SIGNAGE & DEMONSTRATION SITE
With the Property Owner's permission, Show Up and Grow may identify the Garden as a Show Up and Grow Demonstration Garden.
Optional signage:
☐ Property Owner approves a small demonstration-garden sign.
☐ Property Owner does not approve signage.
Any signage will be reasonably sized and placed in a manner agreed upon by the Parties.
14. LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK
The Property Owner understands that gardening and outdoor activities involve inherent risks, including but not limited to:
uneven ground;
roots, rocks, holes, and other natural terrain;
slips, trips, and falls;
insects and stinging insects;
ticks;
plants that may cause allergic reactions;
wildlife;
weather conditions;
heat, cold, rain, and sun exposure;
lifting or carrying materials;
use of hand tools;
gardening equipment;
falling branches or other natural hazards;
food-related risks; and
other ordinary risks associated with gardening and outdoor activities.
The Property Owner voluntarily assumes the ordinary and inherent risks associated with participating in Garden activities.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable Virginia law, the Property Owner releases and agrees not to hold Show Up and Grow, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, contractors, or representatives responsible for claims arising from the Property Owner's voluntary participation in Garden activities or exposure to ordinary and inherent gardening risks.
This release does not apply to conduct that cannot legally be released under applicable law, including intentional misconduct or gross negligence to the extent such claims cannot lawfully be waived.
The Property Owner is encouraged to maintain appropriate homeowner's or renter's insurance.
15. INDEMNIFICATION
To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Property Owner agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Show Up and Grow and its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, and representatives from claims, damages, or expenses arising from the Property Owner's intentional or negligent acts or omissions, or those of persons invited onto the property by the Property Owner, except to the extent caused by the negligence or wrongful conduct of Show Up and Grow.
Show Up and Grow remains responsible for its own negligent or wrongful acts to the extent required by law.
16. CHILDREN, GUESTS & PETS
The Property Owner is responsible for supervising children, guests, pets, and other persons whom the Property Owner invites onto the property unless Show Up and Grow has expressly agreed in writing to provide supervision.
Separate participant or parental consent forms may be required for individuals participating in organized Show Up and Grow activities.
The Property Owner will make reasonable efforts to prevent pets or other animals from damaging the Garden.
Show Up and Grow is not responsible for Garden damage caused by pets, livestock, wildlife, insects, or other animals.
17. MAINTENANCE & NATURAL GARDEN RISKS
Show Up and Grow will use reasonable efforts to maintain and support the Garden, but gardening outcomes cannot be guaranteed.
Plants may be damaged or lost due to:
extreme weather;
drought;
flooding;
pests;
disease;
wildlife;
soil conditions;
vandalism;
accidental damage;
plant availability; or
other circumstances beyond the Organization's reasonable control.
Show Up and Grow will make reasonable efforts to replace significant losses when practical and consistent with available resources.
18. NO GUARANTEE OF HARVEST
The Parties acknowledge that the Garden is a living ecological system.
Show Up and Grow does not guarantee a particular:
crop yield;
harvest quantity;
plant survival rate;
monetary value;
food-production level; or
frequency of harvest.
Success will be evaluated using multiple measures, which may include Garden health, soil improvement, biodiversity, food production, educational participation, and homeowner knowledge and confidence.
19. CHEMICAL USE
Because the project is intended to demonstrate food production and ecological stewardship, the Garden will prioritize non-chemical and least-toxic approaches whenever reasonably practical.
The Property Owner will not apply herbicides, pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, or other potentially harmful substances to the Garden without first notifying Show Up and Grow.
If treatment becomes necessary, the Parties will discuss an appropriate approach.
20. UTILITIES & PROPERTY CONDITIONS
The Property Owner is responsible for ordinary household utility costs associated with the property, including water used for Garden irrigation, unless otherwise agreed.
Show Up and Grow will exercise reasonable care to avoid damage to the Property.
Show Up and Grow is not responsible for damage resulting from undisclosed:
underground utilities;
irrigation systems;
septic systems;
drainage systems;
hazardous materials;
structural conditions; or
other property conditions.
Show Up and Grow will be responsible for damage caused by its own negligent conduct to the extent required by law.
21. GARDEN CHANGES
Garden designs may evolve.
Show Up and Grow may reasonably modify plant selections, layout, maintenance practices, and gardening techniques in response to:
weather;
plant health;
soil conditions;
pest pressure;
water availability;
ecological conditions;
plant availability; or
other Garden needs.
Major structural changes will be discussed with the Property Owner in advance.
22. TERMINATION
Either Party may request termination of this Agreement by providing 30 days' written notice.
Immediate termination may occur when reasonably necessary because of safety concerns, legal requirements, significant property concerns, or other circumstances that make continuation impractical.
If the Property Owner ends the Agreement before the two-year term, Show Up and Grow may discontinue maintenance, education, and other program services.
If Show Up and Grow ends the Agreement, the Organization will make reasonable efforts to provide the Property Owner with information needed to continue caring for the Garden.
When practical, the Parties will allow existing food crops to reach harvest before removing or discontinuing the Garden.
23. SALE OR TRANSFER OF PROPERTY
If the Property Owner sells, transfers, or otherwise conveys the property during the two-year term, the Property Owner agrees to notify Show Up and Grow.
The Property Owner may request that the new property owner continue the Garden Partnership.
Show Up and Grow may agree to continue the Garden with the new owner but is not obligated to do so.
If the Garden continues under a new owner, a new written agreement should be executed.
24. NONPROFIT FUNDING & RESOURCES
The Property Owner understands that Show Up and Grow's ability to provide materials, labor, maintenance, education, and other services depends upon available funding, grants, donations, volunteers, and organizational resources.
Show Up and Grow will make reasonable good-faith efforts to fulfill its commitments but cannot guarantee the availability of specific funding, personnel, volunteers, plants, materials, or other resources.
25. INSURANCE
Show Up and Grow may maintain general liability or other insurance appropriate to its activities.
Insurance coverage, if any, does not alter this Agreement or create coverage beyond the terms and limits of the applicable policy.
The Property Owner is responsible for maintaining appropriate insurance covering the Property and the Property Owner's personal property.
26. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
The Parties agree to first attempt to resolve disagreements through good-faith communication.
If a dispute cannot be resolved informally, the Parties may consider mediation before pursuing litigation, unless emergency circumstances or applicable law require otherwise.
27. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement constitutes the understanding between the Parties regarding the Show Up and Grow Residential Food-Garden Partnership.
Any material modification must be made in writing and acknowledged by both Parties.
If any provision of this Agreement is determined to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions will remain in effect to the extent permitted by law.
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
28. ACKNOWLEDGMENT
By signing below, the Parties acknowledge that they:
have read and understand this Agreement;
understand the purpose of the two-year Garden Partnership;
understand that the Garden is an educational and nonprofit demonstration project;
understand that gardening involves inherent risks;
understand that crop yields cannot be guaranteed;
understand that no mandatory harvest percentage or monetary contribution is required;
understand the project's community-benefit and reciprocity goals; and
voluntarily agree to participate in the Show Up and Grow Residential Food-Garden Program.
PROPERTY OWNER
Printed Name: ______________________________________________
Signature: _________________________________________________
Date: _____________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________________________
Email: ____________________________________________________
SHOW UP AND GROW
Authorized Representative: __________________________________
Title: _____________________________________________________
Signature: _________________________________________________
Date: _____________________________________________________
Email: ____________________________________________________
EXHIBIT A
GARDEN SITE & INITIAL PROJECT PLAN
Property Address: ____________________________________________
Approximate Garden Size: 100 square feet
Garden Location:
Planned Garden Elements
☐ Vegetables
☐ Herbs
☐ Perennial food plants
☐ Fruit-producing plants
☐ Native/pollinator plants
☐ Compost/soil-building area
☐ Mulch
☐ Trellis/vertical growing
☐ Rain/water conservation
☐ Other: ______________________________________
Initial Site Assessment
Sun exposure: _______________________________________________
Water access: _______________________________________________
Existing soil condition: ______________________________________
Drainage: __________________________________________________
Existing vegetation: _________________________________________
Known concerns: _____________________________________________
Soil testing recommended: ☐ Yes ☐ No
Other notes:
EXHIBIT B
RECIPROCITY & COMMUNITY BENEFIT
The Property Owner's preferred way of contributing to the broader community is:
☐ Share produce with neighbors/community
☐ Donate produce to Show Up and Grow for distribution to people in need
☐ Make voluntary cash donations to Show Up and Grow
☐ Permit Show Up and Grow to sell a portion of the harvest to support additional lawn-to-food-garden projects
☐ Combination of the above
Additional preference or agreement:
EXHIBIT C
TWO-YEAR GARDEN MILESTONES
YEAR ONE — ESTABLISH
Site Assessment → Design → Soil Preparation → Installation → Planting → Establishment → Education
YEAR TWO — STEWARD
Seasonal Maintenance → Harvest → Education → Troubleshooting → Evaluation → Increasing Homeowner Participation
END OF YEAR TWO — TRANSITION
Final Garden Assessment → Stewardship Plan → Demonstration/Documentation → Next-Step Decision
The desired outcome is a healthy, productive Garden and a Property Owner who has gained practical knowledge and confidence in growing food.