BAY MILLS - Although snow still covered much of the ground, gardeners gathered at the Boys & Girls Club on Tuesday, April 4 to discuss future projects for the upcoming growing season. Ten people attended, six of whom were interested in finding ways to accomplish 40 hours of community service to fulfill the requirements to become certified Master Gardeners under the Michigan State University Extension program.
The group selected four projects on which to concentrate their efforts. The raised beds that were started with tribal elders last year will continue, with more beds being created. No pesticides or chemical fertilizers are to be used in the gardens and seeds will be heirloom seeds of plants that are indigenous to the area.
A "Garden Mosaic" program will be instituted at the Boys & Girls Club by Becky McDonoff, 4-H Coordinator for Chippewa County through MSU Extension. This program is intended to enhance the culture, traditions, and history of the area with elders working along with the youth.
Plans were discussed for a community garden but a site has still to be selected. In the future, a community garden will be located on the grounds of the West Campus of Bay Mills Community College, but with building still ongoing there, the garden plot is on hold at that location.
The final project will be to beautify the areas around the many signs on the reservation, such as those in the housing areas. Trees, plants and flowers will be placed around the signs and maintained by the gardeners.
The group will meet again in the near future to start implementing their plans. Those interested in joining in their efforts can contact Ken Hopper at 248-3241, ext. 3116 or at recreation@bmic.net.
