Megan Neeley
Herald Correspondent
Now entering its sixth season, the Gratiot County Community Garden stands as a thriving symbol of grassroots success. Launched in 2020 by the organization Live Well Gratiot, the garden began as a local initiative to promote healthier living and to combat pressing issues like food insecurity and chronic health issues.
Originally planted in the old middle school lot just east of the Methodist Church, the community garden found a new home beside the First Presbyterian Church in 2021. Today, the garden spans roughly 150 by 50 feet and is divided into two sections: a U-pick area at the front for community harvest and a gated space at the back that houses both individual allotment plots and beds maintained by volunteers.
The garden produces a wide variety of produce, all of which are shared with volunteers or distributed to those in need. “We try to provide experiences for the public who want to explore and pick their own produce, but for those who cannot, we also leave produce on our stand and provide some at the Community Cafe or local food pantry,” said Nancy Thall, Lead Facilitator of the Gratiot County Community Garden. “Rarely if ever, do we stock our stand and find items left on it later that evening, much less the next day.”
Caring for the thriving garden is a collaborative community effort, led by four advisory members and supported by a dedicated team of volunteers who assist year-round with everything from planning and planting to maintenance and tech support.
“The community plays a role in the success of the garden in so many ways,” said Thall. “We have various individual volunteers who have found their way to the garden. They are our backbone… A bonus is that we now have local home gardeners leaving their extras on our produce stand as well.”
United Way serves as the fiscal agent of the Gratiot County Community Garden, with MyMichigan Health continuing to provide major financial support, as well. The Lansing Garden Project, part of the Greater Lansing Food Bank, is also a vital partner, offering technical assistance and equipment. “Making a list of our supporters is difficult because there are so many. Many local groups have assisted with projects, donations and on-site help,” said Thall.
Alma College has long been a key partner in the community garden, thanks in part to former Alma College professor, Dale Sanders, who saw it as a valuable opportunity for Healthcare Administration (HCA) student internships. “Between the garden, the St. Louis Farmers Market and other tasks with the Mid-Michigan District Health Department, [students] were able to meet their internship requirements,” said Alexander Montoye, Associate Professor of Integrative Physiology and Health Science at Alma College and an involved individual with the garden.
“The college stayed heavily involved in the garden for a few years with HCA interns, volunteers, AmericCorp Vistas and the Center for College and Community Engagement, but the bulk of the work has been taken up by community members the last couple of years and the garden seems to be doing better than ever,” said Montoye.
Although the college’s direct involvement has lessened over the years, the Alma College LEAPS club continues to contribute, most recently taking part in a seed-starting workshop with AmeriCorps to help kick off this year’s garden season. “The student involvement in the community garden brings unity to the Alma College Campus and the Alma community. It shows that both the students and community members want to contribute to Gratiot County’s growth and development,” said Katelyn Thomas, an Alma College student who volunteered with LEAPS.
This year marks the first time the Gratiot County Community Garden is offering allotment plots for public garden use. Each plot measures three feet by 16 feet and costs $25 for the season, which runs from mid-May to mid-October. Plots are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, with applications posted on the community garden’s Facebook page.
“We have fencing to keep the critters out, access to water and good compost added to our soil, so if you don’t have that at home and want to give gardening a shot, come join us,” said Thall. “If you don’t have time for an allotment, but think you might want to learn more about gardening, then volunteering with us is a great way to start.”