Annual Newsletter

January 08, 2025

Interested in renting a plot? Plots fees are reasonable. Membership includes garden tools and support for new gardeners. Members agree to donate eight hours of volunteer time.

Photography Project

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Sarah Rypma Photography

Sarah Rypma took professional photos of RSCG, including these of our newest garden members watering the beds and harvesting raspberries. She visited RSCG as part of the Michigan Department of Education / 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms. Look for her photographs in outreach lit literature, blog spot, and Facebook.

Thank You to RSCG Volunteers

RSCG thanks the Triangle fraternity volunteers who returned to the garden for the Make a Difference Day event this fall. They cleared beds, harvested gourds, spread manure, and prepared the beds for the winter. RSCG also wants to thank Hancock High School students who under the leadership of Gary Mishica built a beautiful, raised bed for RSCG. The bed was designed to enable easy access for garden members. It was installed in the garden last Spring. This generous donation was beautifully handcrafted from recycled redwood, red cedar, and white cedar. Volunteering is a rewarding aspect of the RSCG mission, integral to our sustainability, and improves the health of our community.

Soil and Water Safety placeholder image

Given the site history, heavy metal testing was completed in 2024 to ensure soil and water safety. A composite soil sample from the raised beds and a water sample from the spring were sent to the Whitewater Associates laboratory. A soil analysis was also done through MSU testing for nutrient levels. Levels were found to be safe for growing food and gardening. Detailed reports are located on the site information page.

Outreach and Education C.A.P.E. instructor Anna Sanchez oversaw student gardeners at RSCG last season. C.A.P.E. is conveniently located at the Hancock Community Hub, so students can easily access their garden beds. Garden members continued outreach at Ryan Center BHK with spring gardening projects. Volunteers helped teachers prepare the BHK vegetable garden for planting and helped create a pumpkin patch expansion. A MTU undergraduate class toured the gardens, and the Western UP Farm to School Program hosted an all-day teacher in-service program at RSCG.