1. ASSET BASED COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
CREATING COMMUNITY GARDENS
THAT LAST
Adam Bigelow--Cullowhee and Sylva Community Gardens
Diana McCall--Dr. John Wilson Community Garden

2. Asset Based Community
Development
ABCD is a process by which neighborhood
regeneration can be achieved by locating
all of the available local assets and
connecting them with one another in ways
that multiply their effect.

3. Uncovering Successful Community
Building Experiences

4. Workshop Learning
Outcomes
Describe Asset-Based Community Development and
its benefits.
Name five categories of assets in a community.
Describe what a capacity inventory is and how it is
used.
Explain the importance of including members of
community associations in community development
efforts.

5. Consequences of
The Deficit Model

6. Three Characteristics of
ABCD
Asset-based: Based on individual gifts, associations,
local institutions, and the local ecology and commerce.
Internally-focused: The development strategy
concentrates upon the agenda building and problemsolving capabilities of local residents, local associations
and local institutions.
Relationship Driven: To engage in this approach,
one must continually ask, “Will this action strengthen
the relationships between residents, local associations,
and local institutions?”

7. Five
Categories
of Assets
Individual Gifts
Associations
Institutions
Land and Buildings
The Local Economy

8. Individual Gifts
Dr. John Wilson

9. Associations
Clubs, Schools and Local Artists

10. Associations
Clubs, Schools and Local Artists

11. Associations
Clubs, Schools and Local Artists

12. Associations
Clubs, Schools and Local Artists

13. Associations
Clubs, Schools and Local Artists

14. Institutions
Warren Wilson College Service Learning Program

15. Endless Resources
Faculty and staff at Western Carolina University

16. Land and Buildings
Dig In! Yancey Community Garden

17. Ecology and Infrastructure
Making Use of Local Resources

18. The Local Economy
Chamber of Commerce, Local Businesses, Neighbors

19. Reciprocal Partnerships
Cullowhee Community Garden

20. Capacity Inventory
Inviting Neighbors to Participate in Community
Development

21. Capacity Inventory
Inviting Neighbors to Participate in Community
Development

22. Mapping Reciprocal
Partnerships

23. Resources
Asset Based Community Development Institute,
Northwestern University, founders John Kretzmann
and John McKnight abcdinstitute.org
ABCD in Action: Community Discussion Forum
abcdinaction.ning.com
Diana McCall, Eat Smart Black Mountain, Black
Mountain Parks and Recreation,
diana.mccall@towno#lackmountain.org
Adam Bigelow, Sylva and Cullowhee Community
Gardens, bigelownc@gmail.com