Yardsharer Agreement

Outlined below is the agreement for someone wanting to provide a Yardshare (referred to from this point onward as “Yardsharer”), and share your space with a gardener from outside your household (referred to from this point onward as “Gardener”) wishing to grow produce.

We at KW Urban Harvester (KWUH) strive to be a caring and inclusive community. With this in mind, we have prepared this agreement, so as to set expectations before you invest your time and resources into a yardshare. We ask that you read this agreement in full before deciding whether to participate. By adhering to these agreements, we hope that your yardsharing experience will be fun and enjoyable!

Use of Yardsharing Space

Those using Yardsharing space are expected to follow these guidelines with respect to use of the space:

Accurate Representation: Accurately represent the Yardshare site in your listing as much as possible.

Yardshare start date: Allow Yardshare activities at the agreed upon date/time.

Others in and around Yardshare: Respect the Gardener’s expectations about who can be in and around the Yardshare when they are there; whether visitors and children are allowed.

Others in and around Yardshare, and visitation times: Respect the Gardener’s expectations about who can be in and around the Yardshare when they are there; whether visitors and children are allowed; and when, and how often, these people are allowed to come.

Neatness around Yardshare: Do your part to ensure that the space around your Yardshare is kept tidy.

Harvest time: Allow for harvesting of the Yardshare by the agreed upon date, and do not ask the Yardsharer for more than the percentage of the harvest to which you agreed to receive.

Chemicals in Garden: Abide by your agreement with your Gardener regarding the use of chemicals on the garden. Be sure to also abide by Regional regulations.

Barriers to Access: Be descriptive about possible access barriers at your Yardshare listing, so that an elderly and disabled Gardener and his/her/their guests, including other gardeners the individual may invite (referred from this point forward as “Gardeners”), can make an informed decision about whether or not this is the site for them.

Smoking: Do not smoke tobacco/cannabis or use e-cigarettes, etc. in the presence of the Gardeners and any of their guests without their prior agreement.

Dangerous Animals: Secure any potentially dangerous animals that will be held at the Yardshare site.

Assistance Animals: Allow the Gardeners’ assistance animal on the Yardshare site unless there is a threat to health or safety. In the event of health risks, please clearly and politely communicate to your prospective or existing Gardener why there is a conflict. We suggest you include information about your inability to host Gardeners with assistance animals in your Yardshare listing.

Weapons: Secure or remove any projectile weapons present at the Yardshare site, including firearms, air guns, pepper spray, any kind of ammunition, and imitation firearms.

Site Safety and Health Hazards: Keep Yardshare sites safe and secure to ensure your Gardeners are not impacted by any health hazards.

End of Yardshare Agreement: Your Yardshare Agreement (referred to from this point onward as “Agreement”) officially ends at the end of each calendar year and can be renewed by entering into a new Agreement with the Yardsharer. To avoid misunderstandings, try to decide upfront regarding whether and for long your agreement can be renewed. Note: Any Agreement you reach is only informal and not legally binding.

Community Standards

Yardsharers are expected to abide by our community standards, which include:

• Avoiding breaking commitments once they are made

• Being responsive once a Yardsharer/Gardener relationship is formed

• Respecting other peoples’ property and personal effects.

• Avoiding disturbing the surrounding community

• Not stealing, vandalizing, or extorting.

• Not violating the privacy or intellectual property rights of others.

• Treating everybody in the KWUH community with respect, regardless of race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, skin colour, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or age.

• Not declining Gardeners based on real or perceived racial, LGBTQ+, disability, income, or any other status.

• Being inclusive of all genders when possible. If necessary, you may choose to provide Yardshare sites to only those of your same gender. If this is the case, please make it clear in your listing.

• Refraining from discriminatory behaviour and hate speech

• Refraining from bullying or harassing others

• Not endangering or threatening anyone

Privacy of Gardeners

Respect your Gardeners’ personal information and privacy. If you are matched with a Gardener(s), you will receive their name and contact information, as well as any other information that they choose to provide to you. It is your responsibility to comply with relevant privacy laws. You should only use personal information provided to you by a Gardener to conduct Yardshare activities.

Ensure that your use of security cameras and other recording devices is in accordance with applicable municipal, provincial and federal laws and regulations.

Yardsharing during Quarantine and Isolation

Yardshares are considered community gardens and Gardeners need to follow the Region of Waterloo’s COVID-19 Guidelines for Community Gardens which include self-isolating when you have symptoms of the disease, maintaining a distance of 2 metres apart from those outside your household, properly wearing masks, and sanitizing garden equipment appropriately. Be sure to refer to these guidelines for a complete outline of what is required.

Communications Via Platform

This User Agreement is held between You, the User, and Us, KWUH’s umbrella organization, the Laurier Students’ Public Interest Research Group (LSPIRG). Our User Agreement pertains only to direct communications and transactions between Us and You. If our Gardening Portal platform has been used to facilitate communication or yardsharing relationship with another user, we accept no liability for the nature of these communications or contacts.

Portal Use

Do not use this platform for commercial advertising. Also, do not use this platform if you are under the age of 18.

Disputes

KWUH does NOT, at this time, handle disputes. You are expected to abide by our community standards, and to follow applicable Municipal, Provincial, and Federal laws and by-laws. We encourage disputes to be resolved peacefully and thoughtfully. If appropriate, involve necessary authorities.

Agreement to Comply

If you do not agree to comply with this User Agreement, you will not be allowed to use this Portal to seek out Yardsharers using the Gardening Portal. If necessary, you can terminate your account by contacting us regarding your account.

Feel free to contact us at legal if you have any other questions about this agreement.