Agreements & Policies

POLICY: Community agreements and expectations

Parker Learning Gardens strives to create an inclusive environment where all are welcome and feel a sense of belonging. To foster a culture of community care, we maintain specific expectations for individuals, families, and groups who interact with farm representatives and visit the farm.

Volunteers, staff, students, family members, board members, and all visitors to Parker Learning Gardens are expected to follow all rules of the farm, including, but not limited to:

• Agree to abide by theYouth Protection Policy. 

• Treat animals, plants, people, and the farm with kindness and respect. 

• Use appropriate language. Do not swear or use offensive language.

• Do not bring any non-organic personal foods unless as part of a staff-approved accommodation plan or program protocol (i.e., Mom & Me Garden Club snacks). 

• Listen and learn from each other. Work together cooperatively to create a positive experience for everyone involved. 

• Communicate your personal needs to staff, volunteers, or other participants as appropriate to ensure your safe and inclusive participation, including accommodations, allergies, personal boundaries, etc.

• Move intentionally and with care throughout the farm to avoid falling or tripping risks, electric fences, poisonous or thorny plants, and injuries from or to animals. 

• Practice receiving enthusiastic consent to engage in appropriate physical contact and interactions, prioritizing the comfort and safety of others. 

  • Examples include providing alternatives for those who aren’t comfortable participating in an activity or task and both or all parties, including family members, agreeing on appropriate physical contact like a hug, high five, fist bump, or no contact.

• Be open to correction and resolution if you have impacted other participants, students, staff, board members, volunteers, or visitors, especially if your actions or communication have caused others physical or emotional harm. 

  • Resolution may include apologizing sincerely for actions, creating a plan to ensure behaviors do not reoccur, participating in training, taking a break during programs, or working with families or staff to modify behavior.

• Park in designated areas in front of the white hoop house, to the right of the brown barn, and under the bigleaf maple trees on the right after the mailbox and driveway entrance. Drive 5 mph or less.

• Do not bring pets and outside animals to the farm or classes unless you have received written prior approval from PLG staff.

Youth participants, in particular, are expected to:

• Stay with their group at all times in view of approved adults, who may include vetted parents, volunteers, or employees.

• Harvest, forage, or consume plants only with explicit permission from an adult who can positively ID it.

• Keep toys, books, cards, and other personal items at home or in vehicles, unless approved by staff as an accommodation. Students may bring water and seasonally appropriate clothing or accessories.

• Follow all safety rules of staff and the farm, including staying behind flags in designated areas, not climbing straw bales, playing with sticks and rocks safely, etc.

  • Running and risky play should only occur during safe staff-designated times and locations with minimal or no hazards.

Prohibited behaviors that may result in removal, firing, suspension, or expulsion of volunteers, staff, students, family members, board members, and visitors:

• Theft or vandalism

• Repeated bullying, defiance, altercations, or intimidation; and/or refusal to resolve these behaviors appropriately

• Threats, hate speech, or physical violence

• Possession or use of a weapon, including using tools in an unsafe or inappropriate manner and defying tool use instructions, especially if it causes harm to self or others. 

• Illegal and inappropriate substance use, not to include approved farm events when alcohol is served and use is monitored

• Overt sexual acts, harassment, or communication

Parker Learning Gardens staff and board members reserve the right to determine whether individuals or groups have violated this policy. We will resolve issues collaboratively with affected parties when possible but repeated or severe violations may result in removal from the farm, programs, and/or communication channels (social media, blocked phone number, etc.). 

Policy last updated: January 17, 2025

In order to provide a safe environment for children and adults, Parker Learning Gardens requires all employees and volunteers working with children to comply with the “Requirements of Employees and Volunteers” and the “Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures” that make up this, the “Child Protection Policy” adopted by Parker Learning Gardens. In so doing, those individuals will be asked to comply with at least the Basic Screening Procedures and possibly more depending on the level of interaction with a child, and review the attached “Guidelines and Procedures” as part of their orientation and training. All employees will be under the supervision of the Executive Director as well as any program director for which they may work/volunteer. At Parker Learning Gardens we are committed to inspire and support youth while keeping children and members of the community safe by proactively reducing the risks of potential hazards.

1. Requirements for Employees and Volunteers

1. Complete and sign a written application for volunteer opportunities or employment.

2. Provide at least 2 personal references for volunteers and at least 2 employment references for employees.

3. Complete a personal interview with the Executive Director, Program Director, or authorized hiring committee.

4. Comply with all application review and reference check processes that will be conducted by the appropriate program staff person(s). (All required background checks will be completed prior to work with youth and shall be documented in a personnel file prior to an individual beginning service.)

5. Successfully complete a volunteer/employee training as well as educational sessions as directed annually.

6. Successfully pass all criminal record/background checks.

7. Van Driving Policy: Those driving a 12+ passenger rented vehicle must complete and pass a Defensive Driving Course/Van Driving Court/Submit a current Motor Vehicle Report, provide a current OR Driver’s License, and a copy of valid driving insurance.

2. Youth Protection Guidelines and Procedures

1. At no time shall one employee or volunteer be alone with a child. The only exception to this policy would be in a situation in which the contact occurs in a public place or other persons are able to clearly witness the interaction by being in and out of the area where the employee or volunteer is working with the child. If a situation unexpectedly does not meet this criterion, then alternatives must be put into place so the event is in compliance.

2. Volunteers and employees must read the “Youth Protection Policy”, agree to it by completing and signing the appropriate application form(s), and submitting to the appropriate level of screening and training as listed in Part 1. of this policy.

3. All Parker Learning Gardens’ instructors are encouraged to obtain the current First Aid/CPR training through Red Cross.

4. For natural disasters (flooding, wildfire, etc.) instructors and management personnel on site during times where the public/youth are present shall have charged and working smart phones or other devices that alert for any safety warnings in the area.

For On-Site Activities/Programs:

1. Parker Learning Gardens’ instructors will contact parents/families of youth on site immediately upon receiving information about any hazards, with the goal to reunite all youth with families as quickly as possible.

2. All instructors and farm management will obtain, upon the initial arrival for any “drop-off” classes, parent or legal guardian contact information saved directly to their phone. They will also provide the parent with one to two phone numbers of instructors who will be with the class that day.

3. Only designated adult personnel given explicit permission and enthusiastic consent from the minor and their legal guardian will communicate directly via phone, text or social media with students - only concerning matters related to the farm or to support the student in an official mentor capacity, again with explicit consent of all parties.

4. Each building or structure with minors present will have a trained adult monitor present during program hours.

5. Restroom Use: Children shall be accompanied to the restroom (2 children minimum to 1 adult) by an instructor, parent or volunteer, who will wait outside the door for the child. The child’s instructor will be informed of their destination at the time of exiting and returning to the class.

For Off-Site Activities/Programs when youth, employees and/or volunteers are participating in a Parker Learning Gardens sponsored event:

1. As each facility will be different, it will be the responsibility of the executive or program director to determine how best to use the facility and comply with Parker Learning Gardens’ policies.

2. Overnights: Males and females shall be separated during sleeping time. If it is deemed necessary for adults to share sleeping accommodations with the children, a minimum of two adults, the same sex as the children being chaperoned, shall sleep in each area and adults may not be present while minors are changing clothes or using restroom facilities. Chaperones must seek a private space for changing clothes, bathing, etc.

3. All volunteer and staff persons who drive and/or chaperone on off-site trips involving children shall be in conformance with all aspects of the Child Protection Policy.

3. Reporting and Responding to Reports of Suspicious/Inappropriate Activity

Reporting and Responding must be handled with graciousness and confidentiality. In order to maintain an environment free of destructive acts toward all children, youth, staff, and volunteers, Parker Learning Gardens must be aware of their individual responsibility to report any questionable circumstance, observation act, omission, or situation thought to be in violation of this policy. All questions or concerns of any suspected abusive behavior or harassment shall be directed to the Executive Director, Program Director, or the appropriate program staff.

In the event anyone personally witnesses an occurrence in violation of this policy, that person will be asked to complete a written Incident Report. Anyone who should witness such an occurrence should consider the following recommendations on how to handle the situation to insure the security of the potential victim involved and to protect against physical, emotional or psychological injury, to all persons involved.

• Personally secure the safety of the victim.

• Report the incident immediately to the appropriate staff/volunteer (Director of Parker Learning Gardens or Program Director or Parent/Volunteer Coordinator).

• Do not leave the victim alone to report the incident.

• Do not personally confront the alleged/accused violator of the policy.

• Allow the designated person to provide you with instructions for reporting of the incident to the appropriate person(s).

• Once the victim is being cared for, the reporter will document the incident on an Incident Report Form (provided by Parker Learning Gardens).

• All information shall be treated in a confidential manner. Except in the case of a response to a report of suspicious activity, and then only to the extent necessary to comply with policy/procedures as well as all applicable local, state, and federal laws.

• Documents shall be kept in a secure storage/double locked.

Suspicious/Inappropriate Activities Include (but are not limited to):

• Any display or demonstration of sexual activity, abuse, insinuation of abuse, or evidence of abusive conduct towards a child, youth, volunteer or staff.

• Sexual advances or sexual activity of any kind between any adult and child, youth, staff or volunteer.

• Infliction or physically abusive behavior or bodily injury to a child, youth, volunteer or staff.

• Physical neglect of a child, children, youth, volunteer or staff including failure to provide adequate supervision in relation to the activities of Parker Learning Gardens and its’ program(s).

• Causing mental or emotional injury to a child, children, youth, volunteer or staff.

• Possessing obscene or pornographic materials at Parker Learning Gardens or any Parker Learnning Gardens program/function.

• Possessing, advocating the use of, or being under the influence of any illegal drugs.

• Consuming or being under the influence of alcohol while leading or participating in a children’s or youth function or while engaging in activities while representing Parker Learning Gardens, whether on-site or at a Parker Learning Gardens function off-site.

4. Consequences of Violation

• Any person accused of violating this policy, whether staff or volunteer, will immediately be suspended from participation in all Parker Learning Gardens’ activities/work. Such suspension shall continue during any investigation by Parker Learning Gardens or law enforcement and child protection agencies.

• Any person found guilty of violating this policy shall be prohibited from future participation in all Parker Learning Gardens’ activities/programs. If the person is an employee, such conduct may also result in termination of employment.

Failure to report an incident in a timely manner shall be considered a procedural violation of this policy and shall be grounds for termination of employment and dismissal from any current or future participation in all Parker Learning Gardens’ activities.

CONSUMER RIGHTS:

All youth/volunteers/employees involved with Parker Learning Gardens and/or its’ programs shall be afforded the following rights:

1. The right to a responsible expectation of privacy when/where applicable.

2. The right to confidentiality of all consumer records. Parent/legal guardian consent is required prior to or obtainment of any confidential information except as permitted by law.

3. The right to access Youth/Personnel Records for the purpose of review, correction or addition.

4. The right not to be subjected to any research activities considered to be outside of the routine plan of services, without the informed consent of the youth/volunteer/employee and parent/legal guardian.

5. The right not to be subjected to sexual advances, sexual harassment, or sexual offenses of any nature.

6. The right not to participate in public performance/appearances (on behalf of the organization) against the wishes of the youth/volunteer/employee or, if applicable, his/ her guardian.

7. The right to be free from the expectation of soliciting funds on behalf of the organization.

8. The right to have his or her identity protected in the context of agency reports, statistical analyses of case summaries published as a result of participation in programming/services.

9. The right not to be filmed or photographed without the informed consent of the consumer and/or legal guardian.

10. The right to not be subjected to humiliation or retaliation in response to behavior or any other situation.

SPECIAL PROTECTIONS:

In addition to the above listed rights, the following additional protections shall apply to youth involved with Parker Learning Gardens:

1. Youth shall be free from coercion with regard to religious activities.

2. Youth shall be permitted to express opinions appropriately on issues concerning their involvement in programming.

3. Youth shall receive care in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner.

4. Youth shall not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, gender, creed or national origin.

5. Youth shall be entitled to a quiet atmosphere for sleep at night, access to facilities for adequate hygiene and grooming, and the opportunity to go outdoors daily.

6. No youth shall be advised to leave, be assisted in leaving, or be transported from any Parker Learning Gardens facility/Parker Learning Gardens’ sponsored activity without the facility’s/parental authority.

SPECIAL PROTECTIONS (detailed):

1. RELIGIOUS PREFERENCES: Parker Learning Gardens shall at all times recognize and respect the religious preferences of youth and their parents/guardians. The program shall make every effort possible to support residents in their religious preference. At no time shall it be acceptable for a youth to be mocked, criticized or otherwise “singled-out” on the basis of his or her religious preference.

2. ETHNIC and CULTURAL PRESERVATION: Parker Learning Gardens shall at all times recognize and respect ethnic and cultural differences among youth. We shall recognize and respect ethnic and cultural differences among youth. We shall make every effort possible to support clients in the preservation of their ethnic and cultural identities. At no time shall it be acceptable for clients to be mocked, criticized or otherwise “singled-out” on the basis of their cultural heritage.

3. DISCRIMINATION: Parker Learning Gardens does not discriminate against youth in admissions or programming on the basis of race, color, creed, gender or national origin.

4. MEDICAL CARE: Emergency medical care will be attended to by staff, with permission from parent and/or guardian. Costs for any services will be the responsibility of the parent/legal guardian/custodian.

5. UNAUTHORIZED ABSENCES: Parker Learning Gardens is not a locked program. However, under no circumstances shall staff suggest to a youth to leave or assist a youth in leaving the facility or location of a Parker Learning Gardens’ sponsored event without approval from the parent/guardian.

CONTRABAND AND MISCONDUCT

A. CONTRABAND: No program participants, volunteers, or staff of Parker Learning Gardens shall be permitted to possess or store firearms, knives, or any other weapon (legal or illegal) or items which staff determines are dangerous to persons or property during Parker Learning Gardens’ sponsored programs or events. In all cases, items which are illegal or which have been obtained illegally shall be considered contraband. Any gang paraphernalia is deemed contraband.

B. CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: No program participants, volunteers, or staff of Parker Learning Gardens shall be permitted to consume, have possession of, or store alcohol, controlled substances or drugs (unless prescribed by a physician and the client is approved to be “self-medicating”) during Parker Learning Gardens’ sponsored programs or events. Any substance which staff determines to be actually or potentially harmful (whether legally classified as a controlled substance or not) will be restricted from youth’s possession while at Parker Learning Gardens or a Parker Learning Gardens’ sponsored event.

C. SEXUAL MISCONDUCT: Sexual activity between youth, volunteers, and employees at Parker Learning Gardens is not permitted.

D. PORNOGRAPHY: Pornographic material such as literature, posters, etc., shall not be permitted at Parker Learning Gardens or at any Parker Learning Gardens’ sponsored event.

E. THREATENING or VIOLENT BEHAVIOR: Youth shall not be permitted to engage in threatening or violent behavior that endangers the safety of other youth or staff.

SEARCH AND SEIZURE

SEARCHES: When there is reasonable cause to suspect that a youth/employee/volunteer has contraband on his/her person or within the program/offices of Parker Learning Gardens, staff shall conduct a search of the person and/or premises in accordance with the following procedure:

1. Program staff shall notify the youth/employee/volunteer and parent/legal guardian (when applicable) of the policy on search and seizure at the time of acceptance to a Parker Learning Gardens program/activity/employment or volunteer work.

2. The following searches by program staff are authorized:

1. Program staff may search a person and/or his or her possessions at the time of entry to the facility.

2. Program staff may search a person and his or her possessions when the person/youth/volunteer/employee is returning to the facility from an off-site visit or after the person has received visitors when it is reasonable to believe the client may have items in his/her possession that are dangerous, illegal or otherwise prohibited in the program/facility.

3. Program staff may search a person or the person’s possessions if they have substantial and reliable reason to believe that the person has been drinking or using drugs and may have contraband articles or substances in his/her possession. Situations justifying such a search may include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Drinking, drug abuse or possession of contraband articles or substances have been witnessed by program staff or reported by another reliable informant.

2. When inappropriate changes in behavior are observed or reported, such as slurred speech, ataxia, and odor of alcohol or disruptive behaviors (excluding expected changes due to prescribed psychotropic medication).

3. When a stolen item has been seen by facility employees, reported by another reliable informant, or is clearly indicated by surrounding circumstances and no criminal charges are anticipated.

3. Scope of Searches. The procedures outlined in this section are intended for internal security, to protect the facility from civil liability and to provide an inventory of personal property and are not intended for purposes of criminal prosecution.

1. Searches by program staff shall be conducted only on the facility premises or at Parker Learning Gardens’ sponsored events where Parker Learning Gardens is directly responsible for youth/volunteers or employee behavior/actions.

2. Searches by program staff may include facility building and grounds.

3. No body cavity searches will be conducted by staff of Parker Learning Gardens.

4. At least two program staff shall be present during a search. An employee of the same sex as the person being searched shall be present during each search and all searches shall be documented and maintained in the agency’s official records.

5. Documentation shall include:

1. The reason for and scope of the search.

2. The search procedures followed.

3. A description of any property seized and an account of the disposition of seized property.

4. Names and titles of all persons present. Date, time, location of search.

When searching a person instead of a space, staff shall:

1. NOT touch the person on any part of his/her body.

2. Ask person to empty all pockets and show staff the empty pocket lining.

3. Ask person to remove sock and shoes.

4. Ask person to remove all outer-layer clothing (coats, sweatshirt etc). Staff will not ask to remove clothing if bare skin or underwear will be exposed.

5. Any search, which would require touching the client, is to only be done by law enforcement personnel or legal guardians.

Disposition of Seized Property:

1. If personal property seized in a search includes firearms or ammunition, the Program Manager or his/her designee shall contact the client’s legal guardian and the Executive Director. The local law enforcement agency will be contacted regarding disposition of firearms.

2. If personal property seized in a search includes on-prescribed controlled substances (contraband), the Program Manager or his/her designee shall contact the client’s legal guardian and the Executive Director. Disposition of controlled substances shall be handled in accordance with law enforcement.

3. If personal property seized in a search includes alcoholic beverages, the Program Manager or his/her designee shall contact the client’s legal guardian and Executive Director. Alcoholic beverages shall be destroyed.

4. If personal property seized in a search includes dangerous items (e.g. knives, scissors, razors, glue) or other items prohibited by the facility, such items shall be stored for return to the parent/guardian at the time of discharge.

5. Items belonging to a consumer, which are seized during a search of the consumer’s possessions, with the exception of the items specified in 6(b) and 6(c), shall be given to the parent/legal guardian upon request.

Use of the search procedures specified in the section shall be subject to internal and external human rights review at all times.

At Parker Learning Gardens, we are dedicated to cultivating a future rooted in Belonging, Justice, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion while empowering our community through education, advocacy, and interconnectedness. We aim to build a culture where every individual feels valued, heard, and prepared to drive meaningful change in environmental, ecological, and agricultural systems - integrating ourselves into the cycles and relationships that sustain life. By continuing to learn from traditional ecological knowledge, agroecology, and permaculture principles, we prioritize restoring ecosystems, uplifting marginalized communities, and preserving cultural and ecological diversity.

We encourage our community to actively participate in shaping a more just and promising future through shared responsibility and continuous learning. Collaborative projects, classes, and advocacy efforts help address systemic challenges, support fair land access, and promote resource-efficient practices. By questioning conventional agricultural models, we seek innovative solutions to the interwoven issues of environmental degradation, food insecurity, and social injustice.

Education is central to our mission. We provide youth and families with mentorship, resources, and skills to navigate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation, while also addressing social and emotional well-being, natural food systems, nutrition, and broader environmental challenges. Scholarships and leadership programs prioritize individuals from marginalized backgrounds, recognizing and nurturing youth as changemakers already shaping a more just and sustainable future. Our initiatives include reintroducing climate-resilient traditional crops, sharing their cultural importance, and ensuring access to land, seeds, and tools necessary for food sovereignty.

Guided by the permaculture ethics of Earth Care, People Care, and Fair Share, we create regenerative procedures that amplify biodiversity, enhance nourishment, and build resilience to climate change—prioritizing the health of ecosystems and non-human life equally with human well-being. Through the redistribution of surplus—including seeds, scientific knowledge, traditional techniques, and food—we promote fairness and support the continuation of thriving communities. Our commitment to organic stewardship creates access to resources, education, and land for historically marginalized groups, empowering them to lead agroecological and permaculture-based initiatives that restore ecosystems, build community resilience, and ensure equitable benefits for all.

We aspire to be a beacon for climate education, igniting hope and action in the face of global challenges. Through engaging youth programs, dynamic classes, and collaborative partnerships, we inspire individuals and communities to embrace ideas and practices that heal the planet and uplift one another. By listening deeply to community needs, involving diverse community members in decision-making, and fostering collaboration, we aim to create an inclusive, community-led, and transformative movement. Together, we imagine a vibrant future where humanity and nature thrive as one harmonious community, and every voice, whether bird, human or river, contributes to a shared legacy of resilience and renewal.

Ecocentric Sustainable Practices for Parker Learning Gardens

Guiding Principle: At Parker Learning Gardens, sustainability is defined not by what nature can provide for us, but by how we integrate ourselves into the cycles, systems, and relationships that sustain life. This approach prioritizes the health of ecosystems and non-human life as equal to human well-being.

Core Values:

1. Interconnectedness: Recognizing that all living and non-living components of the ecosystem have intrinsic value and are interconnected.

2. Stewardship: Acting as humble participants and caretakers in natural cycles, rather than dominators or extractors.

3. Resilience Through Diversity: Emphasizing biodiversity as the cornerstone of ecological resilience and vitality.

4. Regeneration: Prioritizing regenerative practices that restore and enhance ecosystems, rather than depleting them.

Key Ecocentric Practices

1. Holistic Soil Management:

   • Viewing soil as a living organism, implementing no-till methods, cover cropping, and organic composting to enhance soil biodiversity.

   • Encouraging fungal networks and native soil microbes that benefit plants and surrounding ecosystems.

2. Native Ecosystem Integration:

   • Prioritizing native plants that support local pollinators, insects, and wildlife rather than ornamental or exclusively human-beneficial crops.

   • Establishing wildlife corridors and undisturbed areas for birds, mammals, and other creatures to thrive alongside cultivated spaces.

3. Water as a Shared Resource:

   • Using rainwater harvesting and bioswales to mimic natural water cycles.

   • Restoring wetlands and riparian buffers to improve water quality and biodiversity.

4. Closed-Loop Systems:

   • Designing operations to minimize waste and energy inputs, such as on-site composting and biochar production for waste reuse.

   • Utilizing renewable energy sources to power tools and operations.

5. Cultivating Biodiversity:

   • Implementing agroecological methods, such as intercropping and polycultures, to create habitat-rich gardens that mimic natural systems.

   • Protecting and reintroducing keystone species like native pollinators.

6. Eco-Education for Symbiosis:

   • Shifting educational programming to focus on living in symbiosis with nature, emphasizing the role of humans as one part of the ecological web.

   • Incorporating teachings on non-human perspectives and the intrinsic rights of ecosystems.

7. Respecting the Unseen:

   • Acknowledging the importance of processes and species not immediately visible or measurable, such as soil microbes, fungi, and nocturnal animals.

8. Monitoring and Adaptation:

   • Regularly assessing the impact of human activity on surrounding ecosystems and adjusting practices to support ecological health and balance.

Vision for the Future

Parker Learning Gardens envisions becoming a model of regenerative and ecocentric land stewardship. By placing the needs of the ecosystem on equal footing with human needs, PLG aspires to create a thriving, balanced environment where life in all its forms can flourish.