About our Garden Program | Educational Programs and Classes | Garden Employment Opportunities | Garden Volunteer Opportunities | Available Produce | Support the Program!

The Growing Matters Garden Program Educational Programs

10-Week Summer Progam

During the summer, student groups from local youth development organizations (such as Family and Children Services and the Boys and Girls Club) visit our gardens for a 10-week garden educational program. At our gardens, students learn how to:

• grow fruits and vegetables from seed to harvest (using organic practices),
• better understand where their food comes from,
• eat fresh, sustainably grown food from the garden, and
• enjoy working, learning, and playing together outside!

If you work for a local non-profit, neighborhood association, school, church group, or other youth development organization and are interested in our 10-week summer program, please email for more information.

2008 Summer Garden Workshops

This summer we are hosting a series of community workshops focusing on sustainable, organic gardening practices.  These low cost, 1-2 hour workshops are a great way to get your hands dirty while learning about a variety of gardening topics.  Workshops include:

The Basics of Organic Gardening
(July 31st at 7pm) 
There is a lot of talk about growing organic, but just what does it mean and how do you do it? Join us as we investigate (hands on) many of the main concepts of organic gardening.

Investigating Natural Pest Controls
(August 14^th at 7pm)
Wary of using dangerous chemicals in your garden?  Not sure what else to do?  Come explore several organic practices used to minimize damage from insects and wildlife.

An Introduction to Composting
(August 21st at 7pm)
Interested in learning how to turn your yard waste and food scraps into nutritious, free fertilizer for your plants and garden? Come learn how to set up and maintain an outdoor composting system and an indoor worm bin.

Workshops will be held at the main garden site (2119 N Westnedge).   There is a suggested donation of $5-10 per person  for each class to help cover the costs of materials.  Please call 269-903-9765 or email  the garden manager to pre-register or for more information.

Programs at Woodward Elementary School

The Growing Matters Garden program provides year round garden support for Woodward Elementary teachers and staff.  We help the school with garden planning, planting with classes, and summer garden maintenance. 

Over the past few years, we have worked together with staff to create garden based lesson plans to help bring the garden into more of their curriculum.

This summer we are hosting Tuesday school garden nights from 7-8 pm for students, staff, neighbors, families and any interested community members at the school garden (located on the corner of North and Stuart).
  

Interested in learning more about our program?

Check out the following pages for more information!

• About the Growing Matters Garden program,
• Growing Matters Garden Employment Opportunities,
• Community Volunteer Opportunities,
• Available Garden Produce,
• How to Help Support the Program!

Our Projects and Partnerships

Eat Local, Kalamazoo!--September 23-29, events in celebration and exploration of local foods. Learn more....

Growing Matters Garden--An urban educational youth development gardening project. Learn more....

Future Chefs--A summer program for teens to learn to cook from scratch. Learn more....

Community Kitchen--Soon to be a place for individuals and organizations to process food for resale or public consumption. Learn more....

Farms-to-K College--A student group at Kalamazoo College interested in helping to bring more local food into their cafeteria. Learn more....

Southwest Michigan Community Harvest Fest--A celebration of local food, local farming, and sustainable living. Learn more....

Kalamazoo Area Food Systems Inventory--An assessment of the food system. Learn more....