MSU Extension Kalamazoo County

Interested in locating a community garden to volunteer as an Extension Master Gardener?

The Kalamazoo County Extension office has compiled a list of community gardens located within its seven counties of Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties. If you know of one not listed, please contact Julie Ford at fordjul2@msu.edu with details so it can be added to the list on this page.

FAQs:

Question: What is a community garden?

Answer: Community gardens are where people with an interest in gardening share an area of land to produce fruits, vegetables, cut flowers, or herbs.

Question: What are some of the types of community gardens?

Answer: There are several types including therapy gardens, plot gardens where gardeners may pay a small fee for the exclusive personal use of a small gardening plot, cooperative gardens where gardeners work cooperatively in one large garden, food bank gardens for growing food to supply area food banks, and hands-on playful children's gardens.

Question:  I see the list of existing community gardens, but how can I start one myself?

Answer: This is best answered by reading an excellent resource from the University of Missouri Extension. There are many considerations for starting a community garden.

Question: I am an MSU Extension Master Gardener in good standing, can I volunteer in a community garden for my annual 20-hour volunteer requirement?

Answer: Contact Wrifton Graham at grahamw9@msu.edu for guidance.

Question: I am an MSU Extension Master Gardener Trainee in good standing, can I volunteer in a community garden for my 40-hour first year volunteer requirement?

Answer: Contact Wrifton Graham at grahamw9@msu.edu for guidance.