We are in the third year of a Coworker Community Garden behind our place of work in a large retail complex.

The purpose of creating the garden was to introduce coworkers to gardening and to promote a community outside of the work environment.  The skills and experience of the gardeners are widespread, from long-time gardeners to raw beginners. 

It has been demonstrated that a productive growing area can be created from repurposed and recycled materials from the workplace.  The gardeners have experimented with wicking beds, vertical growing and rainwater harvesting.  They have committed to organic growing methods.  As the gardeners grow in confidence, the diversity of vegetables, flowers, growing methods and willingness to try new ideas increases.  All ideas are welcomed, and collaboration is demonstrated and encouraged by the members.  Sucesses and challenges are shared. The gardeners experiences and garden developments are shared with the workplace through staff meetings, displays, a communication board and an international Yammer.com thread.

The company has highlighted the initiative as a good example of coworker engagement towards a "people and planet positive" culture. Many other locations around the globe have begun thier own coworker community gardens as a result.  What had started as a small seed in one location has borne fruit around the world!