History of the Tucson Organic Gardeners:
as compiled by
the Board of Directors
Surviving written documentation of the inception of the
Tucson Organic Gardeners (TOG) could not be located. Two versions of
the founding exist; nevertheless, both versions concur that TOG was
organized and functioning by the late 1960’s. In those years,
organic gardening was considered a fringe activity that was equated with
hippies and outcasts. The founding members of TOG appear to have
been anything but outcasts; both versions indicate that the founders were
upstanding, mainstream citizens who shared a love of gardening and zeal to
inform others of the joys and benefits of gardening organically.
In light of this, it appears that the original purpose of TOG was to
establish a forum for organic gardeners to gather, share information on
gardening in the Sonoran desert, and sell their produce. In
addition, TOG members desired to establish the credibility and promulgate
the benefits of and information on organic gardening. As best can be
documented, the mission of TOG from 1970-1975 appears to have been
providing the forum for members beginning at the Polish Club of Tucson,
then to Amphi H.S., and, eventually, Porter Hall (now Tucson Botanical
Gardens [TBG]). Furthermore, potluck meals were begun as a means to
facilitate camaraderie and interaction among the members and the sharing
of members’ garden harvests. Membership during this time appears to
have been 20-30 families from 1970-1975, but no information on finances or
outreach was available for this time period.
A dearth of written documentation of TOG’s first two decades
has survived. From available financial statements, meeting minutes,
and officers’ notes, it was found that in 1975 TOG adopted a “new”
constitution that provided for, among others, the offices of Librarian and
Editor. This indicates TOG placed an emphasis on
establishing/maintaining a repository of information (e.g., books,
periodicals, pamphlets, etc.) on organic gardening and disseminating such
information. A library/database was established during the late
1970’s and the first documented TOG newsletter published was in March
1977. The first documented organic gardening course was offered by
TOG in February 1976 and composting education was introduced, also.
During this time period, general membership meetings included guest
lecturers who spoke on gardening-related topics, seed exchanges, and plant
sales; potluck meals were continued, also.
TOG established
regular sources of income from membership dues, and the meetings’ and the
Reid Park Annual Flower and Garden Shows’ plant sales. In 1979, a
change in the constitution was made whereby the officer positions of
Librarian and Editor were removed and replaced with committees. The
reason for this change was not established, but it was surmised that the
change was meant to streamline the Board of Directors so that the Board
would function more as a governing and less as an administrative
body. TOG’s purpose from 1976-1980 is an extension of its original
purpose whereby it wished to provide a forum for organic gardeners,
organic gardening education, and to maintain an organic gardening
database. TOG’s mission was carried out through classes in organic
gardening, designing a composting slide show, and participation in
community events. Membership at the end of this time period
approached 40 families, financial statements indicated yearly expenses
were about $500.00 with income of about $700.00.
In the 1980’s, TOG meetings were held exclusively at TBG and, thus, TOG began paying a monthly “rent” to TBG. Monthly plant and yard sales were held by TOG at TBG, with the proceeds being split 50:50 between TOG and TBG (in 1982, this was re-negotiated so that the proceeds of the plant sales were split 70:30 between TOG and TBG); an additional source of income in 1981 was the “Tree Project.” During the early 1980’s, TOG began to be a sponsor of a regional science and engineering fair; this sponsorship provides further evidence of TOG’s commitment to education. TOG’s purpose continued to be the advancement of organic gardening and composting in the Sonoran desert while trying to maintain the financial viability of the organization; its mission was carried out through community outreach and education, and stabilizing its income foundation with additional funding projects. Membership during the early to mid-1980’s fluctuated from 25 to 40 families, financial statements were generally unavailable for this time period but estimates are that yearly income and expenses averaged less than $1000.00.
In the mid-1980’s, TOG began to write its mission (actually, its purpose) in the monthly newsletter (i.e., The Composter). The “mission” stated at this time was “ to promote interest in, and the knowledge and practice of, organic gardening.” This purpose is a natural extension of TOG’s original, inferred purpose first proposed in the early 1970’s. A regular pattern for TOG began to emerge during this time period, with invited speakers presenting talks at monthly meetings at TBG, regular pot luck/picnic meetings being held, an annual plant sale held to raise funds, field trips to members’ gardens, and sponsorship of the regional science and engineering fair. However, this was also a “stressful time” for TOG as the organization underwent “major changes” including the resignation of the president at one point. Members were not satisfied with the informal management of the organization, which was (apparently) evident to them when TOG was unable to keep its commitments to the community and to members.
In 1988, TOG began a transformation of its character and finances, and began re-building itself. A more responsive slate of officers was elected, a cable television gardening show was hosted by the TOG Vice President, a “communications center” was started so that members could exchange information on where to obtain organic produce, and a produce auction was initiated at the monthly membership meetings so that members could offer their extra produce for sale and provide TOG with additional income. Furthermore, a generous bequeath from the estate of longtime TOG members Sid and Louise Boyson provided a solid financial foundation for TOG and its efforts to provide composting education. By 1989, TOG began to envision itself as not only a club for members to exchange produce and gardening tips but as the community leader/educator in gardening, composting and sustainable resources.
To fulfill its vision as community leader/educator, TOG desired to obtain extramural funding of community-based projects and establishing a composting demonstration site. Towards this end, during 1989-1991 TOG applied to the Internal Revenue Service for non-profit status, developed the Home Education Program, started composting workshops at TBG, solicited donations for the demonstration site, and, through the effort of numerous member volunteers, built and maintained (through volunteer hours and the hiring of a site coordinator) the public demonstration site at TBG. TOG’s mission included public composting workshops, outreach with a traveling information booth presented at public events, consulting with other organic gardening groups, and sponsorship of the regional science and engineering fair. Membership during 1986-1991 grew to approximately 50 families, and financial statements available at the end of this time period indicate that TOG maintained a balance in excess of $2000.00.
In 1992, TOG was incorporated in the State of Arizona as a non-profit corporation; the importance of this to TOG was substantial (e.g., it would now allow TOG to apply for grants that were only available to non-profits, purchases could be made for TOG activities without having to pay sales tax). Also during 1992, TOG received its first extramural grant funding; this funding ($17,560.00) was from the Arizona Dept. of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) for waste reduction education. Included in this proposal were funds to complete the demonstration site at TBG, develop a composting video, and publish composting literature for distribution to the public.
During this time period, the Composting Education Committee (CEPAC) was formed to oversee grant activities and provide leadership within TOG in the area of composting (as opposed to gardening). Volunteers and paid personnel performed the grant-work and maintained the demonstration site; in 1993, a permanent site manager was hired.
During the early 1990’s, TOG continued to publish The
Composter, hold monthly membership meetings and composting workshops at
TBG, and continued its community outreach programs (e.g., information
booth at local fairs/festivals, publishing a composting brochure in
Spanish, and many informational papers were written for
dissemination). Also in the early 1990’s, TOG held the first “Beat
The Heap” (BTH) composting education workshops and composting bin
distribution (intended to assist the City of Tucson in helping establish a
recycling program; unintentionally, TOG was able to earn income from the
sales of the bins), Master Composter training was begun, and a WRiTE grant
($8,000.00) was awarded to TOG to develop composting educational classroom
material. A Heritage Foundation grant was also received.
In addition to promoting interest in, and the knowledge and practice
of, organic gardening, the purpose of TOG during this time period appears
to have been the professional improvement of the organization,
establishing TOG’s credibility as a diligent and successful grantee, and
increasing fundraising. To these ends, TOG’s mission was to start
CEPAC and bring in other organizations (e.g., YouthWorks) to complement
TOG’s members’ expertise, take part in government forums on waste
reduction, approaching City of Tucson officials to inform them of TOG’s
waste reduction education capabilities and about its composting
activities, applying for additional grants, and establishing a composting
telephone hotline, and continuing outreach. Membership during
1991-1995 grew to approximately 150 families, and financial statements
available at the end of this time period indicate that TOG maintained a
balance in excess of $12,000.00.
During the later part of the 1990’s, TOG’s purpose was stated as, “to promote and encourage the use of Nature’s resources as a guide for gardening and sustainable living.” In addition, TOG’s unstated purpose included the promotion of composting, education of its members and the public in organic gardening and composting, continuing to establish a resource database, and to acquire land for a permanent site. The mission of TOG was stated as, “We avoid the use of toxic materials in our relationship with Earth. We promote interest in and the knowledge of organic gardening, including composting, through programs open to the public, workshops, public events and other means of communication.” Other ways to fulfill the purpose of TOG were maintenance of the demonstration site, tours of members’ gardens, holding monthly membership meetings, and having regular potluck meals.
In the mid-1990’s, TOG began to apply for and receive
regular contracts from the City of Tucson to distribute bins and conduct
education workshops for “Beat The Heap;” from this, TOG began to receive a
regular source of annual income. Nevertheless, in order to recoup
publishing and other cost outlays, membership dues during this time period
were raised to $10.00/family. Also during this time period, a Board
retreat was held to generate new ideas for TOG and to define TOG’s future
direction, TOG was offered a new site to develop another compost
demonstration site (the site was not developed due to logistics), and TOG
approached Pima County officials about land for organic gardening and
composting education sites.
In the late 1990’s, TOG began to undertake
a re-assessment of its current programs and its future as an
organization. This occurred because the Board felt new and fresh
leadership was needed, and declining membership participation and
volunteering in TOG activities was occurring. Furthermore, income
from BTH had been declining due to oversight technicalities; this resulted
in projected financial difficulties for TOG if not resolved.
Membership during this period increased to over 180 families, and TOG
maintained a balance of approximately $12,000.00.
In 2000 TOG developed a relationship with St. Mark’s Presbyterian Church and the Miramonte neighborhood to help with their neighborhood garden. This has given TOG new meeting and storage space along with a garden and another compost demonstration site to develop.
In 2001 TOG’s Board presented new by-laws that were voted on
and approved by the membership. Updating the purpose:
To advocate and
educate about the use and benefits of organic gardening, home composting
and sustainable living; and the mission (see page 1). Membership fees were
increased to $12/family which includes a subscription to The Composter, a
membership sticker and the right to vote. $15 membership also includes a
bumper sticker. For a $25 membership we add a limited edition canvas
grocery tote. A $10 subscription to The Composter is available with no
membership benefits. Also, BTH has been reorganized and is contracted with
City of Tucson Solid Waste which has turned around the financial
difficulties of the late 1990’s.
Because of the influence of TOG’s education program, more gardeners are in tune with the environment and are turning to sustainable agriculture.