Youth & Adult Programs at the Garden

All programs take place at U Dig It Community Garden behind United Methodist Church of Ludington , 5810 E. Bryant Road unless otherwise noted.

The Great Garden Detective

Thursdays—June 22-July 27 | TIME: 10am-Noon

Youth ages 7- 8 are invited to join MSU Extension as we explore nutrition and gardening out at U Dig It Community Garden.

Let’s get hands on! We will be planting, harvesting and tasting foods we grow over the summer. This series uses interactive games and mindfulness activities to explore healthy eating.

*Topics we will be digging into:
*What does it take to grow a garden?
*Using our senses to explore food
*Where does food come from?
*How to plant and care for a garden

TO REGISTER: (Space is limited and registration is required!) Great Garden Detective Flyer. 2023!
Contact Kendra Gibson at the Mason County MSU Extension Office
Call 231-845-3363 or Email Kendra to get registered!

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.


AFFEW’s DIG IT ! Youth Summer Program

Thursdays—June 22-July 27 | TIME: 10am-Noon

Youth ages 9-11 are invited to join U Dig It Community Garden (UDICG) and A Few Friends for the Environment of the World (AFFEW),  for this highly interactive program with many hands-on activities of organic gardening at UDIGC, nature, and art experiences.


Advance sign up required! Call 231-690-9561 or Email Julia
.


Planting Seeds for Health!

Tuesdays—June 20-August 1 (No class July 4!) | TIME: 10am-Noon

Planting Seeds for Health is an interactive six week series for adults focusing on:

* The connection between gardening, nutrition, and being physically active
* Exploring the basics of how to plant and care for a garden
* Creating a healthy plate and sampling foods that are available throughout the summer
*Sharing resources and recipes to maximize seasonal foods while eating on a budget

This is a FREE program. Participants are asked to commit to attending at least four sessions. Prepare for weather variations and dress for working outside. We will be getting our hands dirty and having lots of fun while we learn together. Planting Seeds for Health Flyer 2023 

TO REGISTER: (Space is limited and registration is required!)
Contact Kendra Gibson at the Mason County MSU Extension Office  by calling 231-845-3363 or Email Kendra to get registered!

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.


Michigan Worm Works Field Trip

Friday, May 12 @ 930am-1pm

We’ll be visiting Michigan Worm Works to learn more about Vermicomposting. This process puts worms to work to help solve some of our planet’s most pressing problems. Composting worms rescue organic waste from landfills, safely sequester carbon, and regenerate the soil that forms the basis of our food system. Compared to conventional fertilizers, worm castings are safer for humans and the environment. Most importantly, worm castings offer practical benefits for farmers and growers, such as slow-release nutrients, disease resistance, and enhanced water retention. Participants will have the opportunity to touch, smell, and take home red wiggler worms and worm castings produced locally at Michigan Worm Works in Manistee.

We’ll meet at 930 am in the Meijer parking lot for those carpooling. Depending on interest, we may also have lunch in Manistee.

Email Sara Bolan at udicgarden@gmail.com to RSVP.

All About Natives! NEW DATE!!

Need help deciding what native plants are best for your property? Then this presentation is for YOU!! Cheryl Gross, President of Plant It Wild, will give information about the benefits of ecological gardening with native plants and how best to incorporate them into your landscape based on your growing conditions. Also, a few ‘experts” will be on hand afterwards. 

Plant it Wild is a small, independent, non-profit centered in Benzie and Manistee Counties founded over 20 years ago. They offer educational Programs annually between May and September and host several field trips. Their mission is to promote the appreciation and protection of native plant communities in our region. Visit their Facebook Page PIW-Plant it Wild and website to learn more information about their organization.

   

To get registered, Email your contact information, including phone number, to makeadifference@affew.org.

NEW DATE! Home Garden Restoration on a Shoestring

Have you ever wanted to transform your personal landscape to a pollinator garden, rain garden, or a meadow area to replace traditional landscapes? In this hands-on workshop, Sarah Pregitzer will demonstrate methods of propagating and planting natives that are cheap, easy and highly successful. She will talk about native seed collection and storage, site preparation, winter sowing and making seedballs. Participants will receive information and materials to begin their own native garden transformation.

   

To get registered, Email your contact information, including phone number, to makeadifference@affew.org.

Payment is accepted the day of the event. (AFFEW Members $5/Non-members $10) Limited to 20 participants!

Seed Saving Workshop

Ann Gilchrist, local garden enthusiast, will be discussing the differences between GMO/bio-engineered, hybrid, organic and heirloom seeds. Participants will learn which garden vegetables are good candidates for seed saving and how to collect and store seeds for maximal germination. She will also be sharing information on collecting seeds from native plants and their germination requirements.

This session is FREE. Registration is required. Please call the MSU Extension office at 231-845-3361. Learn more about other free programs.

Disease and Pest Management in the Garden

Take a walk through the garden with Farmer John (John Ferree) who has had nearly 20 years of experiences as an organic grower of vegetables and cut flowers in the Midwest. We will look at live pest issues and discuss how to best deal with pest and disease challenges using organic methods. John takes a whole system approach to pest and disease management that considers climate, season, soils, plant stress, and fertility.

This session is FREE. Registration is required. Please call the MSU Extension office at 231-845-3361. Learn more about this session and other free programs.

Dig It! Youth Summer Series | It’s all about BIRDS!

Representatives from Sable Dunes Audubon Society will talk about the many birds seen around the garden and we’ll build birdhouses to attract MORE!

Get signed up by calling the MSU Extension office at 231-845-3361. We’ll email you a registration form to complete your registration and a list of instructions to make it a great experience. You can also Get Registered online. Space is limited! WE WILL CONTACT YOU IF ANY OF THE SESSIONS YOU REGISTERED FOR ARE FULL!!

Dig It! Youth Summer Series | Exploring the Garden and Beyond! | NEW DATE!

Learn about the many treasures found in the garden and surrounding areas on our nature scavenger hunt!

Get signed up by calling the MSU Extension office at 231-845-3361. We’ll email you a registration form to complete your registration and a list of instructions to make it a great experience. You can also Get Registered online. Space is limited! WE WILL CONTACT YOU IF ANY OF THE SESSIONS YOU REGISTERED FOR ARE FULL!!

Dig It! Youth Summer Series | Art from Nature

The class will meet at the Lakeshore Resource Center due to rain!

We will be exploring different ways to make art with a variety of items, many found at the garden!

Get signed up by calling the MSU Extension office at 231-845-3361. We’ll email you a registration form to complete your registration and a list of instructions to make it a great experience. You can also Get Registered online. Space is limited! WE WILL CONTACT YOU IF ANY OF THE SESSIONS YOU REGISTERED FOR ARE FULL!!

Dig It! Youth Summer Series | Garden Exploration

Learn about yummy veggies. We will be picking vegetables and replanting a new crop!

Get signed up by calling the MSU Extension office at 231-845-3361. We’ll email you a registration form to complete your registration and a list of instructions to make it a great experience. You can also Get Registered online. Space is limited! WE WILL CONTACT YOU IF ANY OF THE SESSIONS YOU REGISTERED FOR ARE FULL!!