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Chelsea Area Garden Club accepting applications for 2017 grants

Lindsay Smith helps with summer cooking classes at Camp Gabika. Here, children make different kinds of smoothies from kale, beets and carrots. (Photo from the Chelsea Senior Center.
Lindsay Smith helps with summer cooking classes at Camp Gabika. Here, children make different kinds of smoothies from kale, beets and carrots. (Photo from the Chelsea Senior Center.

(Chelsea Update would like to thank Mary Jo Frank for the information in this story.)

The Chelsea Area Garden Club (CAGC) will award grants of up to $1,000 to local nonprofit organizations for sustainable horticulture-related projects. The application deadline is Nov. 30.

Grants support projects that promote the love of gardening, community beautification, environmentally responsible horticultural practices, and conservation through education and by example.

Applications and information about the annual grant program are available at www.chelseagardenclub.com or by calling Charlene Harris at 734-433-9773. Applications, postmarked no later than Nov. 30, should be mailed to the CAGC Grant Program, P.O. Box 519, Chelsea, MI 48118.

Applicants in the CAGC service area— Chelsea and western Washtenaw County—will be given preference.

Representatives from the CAGC’s three 2106 grant recipients—St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Chelsea, the Chelsea Senior Center and Purple Rose Theatre – shared stories about how the grants enhanced their outreach at the club’s October meeting.

New rain barrels at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church capture rain, which is used to water the church’s vegetable garden. (Photo from St. Barnabas Episcopal Church).
New rain barrels at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church capture rain, which is used to water the church’s vegetable garden. (Photo from St. Barnabas Episcopal Church).

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church

The church constructed a new watering system from two rain barrels and pipes to distribute rainwater collected from the church’s roof to improve the quality and increase the amount of produce the church grows and donates to alleviate hunger in Washtenaw County.

Lynn Arnold, one of the garden’s founders, said creating the watering system was a learning experience but worth the effort because watering is now more efficient and less wasteful.

The church donates the produce it raises to other community groups, including Hearts Community Service, which incorporates fresh vegetables into the healthy soups and casseroles it makes to feed the homeless at Liberty Park in downtown Ann Arbor.

Nancy Harris, founder of Hearts Community Service and a CAGC member said, “The vegetables go over very well.”

Chelsea Senior Center

With the matching grant from the CAGC, the Chelsea Senior Center hired a summer intern to work at its Intergenerational Garden. Lindsay Smith, a second-year natural resources student at Central Michigan University, worked three days a week.

In addition to maintaining the garden and hoop house, she interacted with seniors and local youth, supporting related programs and implementing new ideas, including a weekly farm stand at the senior center.

Planters outside the Purple Rose Theatre.
Planters outside the Purple Rose Theatre.

The garden produced more than 300 pounds of vegetables during the 2016 growing season, said Jim Randolph, Intergenerational Garden plant manager.

In a note to the CAGC, Smith thanked the club for its support and the opportunity to work with and learn from Senior Center volunteers, many of whom are experienced gardeners.

“I think if everyone spent a little more time gardening, we’d all appreciate life a little more,” Smith said.

Purple Rose Theatre Company

Purple Rose purchased two ceramic planters and a garden bench to place outside the theater’s main entrance as part of its 25th anniversary celebration.

“We are so happy to partner with a club like yours,” said Purple Rose Development Director Gerie Greenspan, who thanked the CAGC and noted that the planters and bench will welcome and help make a positive first impression on theatergoers for years to come.

Taylor Schrock.
Taylor Schrock.

Individuals:

The CAGC awarded a $1,000 scholarship to Taylor Schrock, a 2016 Chelsea High School graduate who is majoring in biochemistry at the University of Michigan.

Additionally, it contributed financial support to four students enrolled in the Michigan State University Organic Farmer Training Program. The recipients are Jacob Freeman, Abby King, Daniel Moffatt and BayLeigh Perry.

The club raises money for horticulture-related grants and scholarships and for civic beautification through its spring plant sale.

The 2017 plant sale will be held 8 a.m.- noon May 6 at the Chelsea Community Fairgrounds, 20501 W. Old U.S. Highway 12.

Rain water collected from the roof of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church waters vegetables growing in front of the church. Photo from St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.
Rain water collected from the roof of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church waters vegetables growing in front of the church. Photo from St. Barnabas Episcopal Church.
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