There are several small Community Gardens being developed within the City of Ionia and South Ionia.  These gardens take place at local churches and businesses where land is donated.  Volunteers from within those businesses and churches encourage others to get involved.  If you would like to volunteer, please contact Penny at the Ionia County Community Food Network at ICCFoodNetwork@gmail.com or ENRICH of Ionia County at 616-522-1126.
News:

Healthy Recipes Contest & Potluck
Youth Winner: Blue Smoothies

Adult Contest Winner / Prizes Donated by local Businesses

Washington Street Community Garden
It is actually located around First Christian Church at 130 E Washington St.  This will be an educational garden where the main focus is to teach new gardeners how to care for a garden.  We will be encouraging youth at local schools to join our group of green thumbs.  We had the opening event Thursday, April 22nd.  Volunteers work in this garden on Thursday afternoons from 3pm to 5pm.  If they finish up early, volunteers will walk over to the Giving Garden and lend a hand there. We have two pages of photos of the Washington St. garden. Click here to view a page of the latest photos.

Penny Beeman | Create Your Badge

 

MSU Extension Herb Garden
Located on the South side of the MSU Extension Building at 50 E Sprague Rd.  (the old MI State Police Post on South 66.)  This garden is partnership between the MSU Extension and Master Gardeners. Herbs are easy to grow and can be very attractive. Feel free to stop by and check out this garden!

The Giving Garden
Located at the back side of the parking lot next to the First Presbyterian Church at 125 E Main St.  The Giving Garden has 2 raised garden beds that are 4 foot wide and 8 feet long.  These gardens are planted following the Square Foot method expecting high yield for little space.  All volunteers are welcome to stop by and check out this garden. This year the garden features 2 themed gardens designed around "Soup" & "Salsa". Local soup kitchen recipients are invited to stop in and check out this garden when produce is ready to be harvested.
[ Click on photo to view larger image ]
   Click here for more photos

SS Peter & Paul Community Garden
SS Peter & Paul has a community garden maintained by church volunteers and will be sharing its produce with local food pantries.  Conscious of preserving our water source and respecting Mother Earth, this garden has installed 4 large rain barrels for watering and use only natural fertilizers such as lawn clipping compost.
(picture soon)