Back in June, I had the opportunity to teach a container gardening class to people who live in the Woodmere Ridge and Carson Square apartment complexes in Traverse City. Both locations offer housing and support to those with lived experience of homelessness, domestic...
Summer reflections on the MI Environmental Justice Conference
During Michigan's first Environmental Justice Conference, hosted by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the Office of the Environmental Justice Public Advocate on the summer solstice, in June, activists, advocates, and...
Agriculture Forum: Thankful for Farm2Neighbor
Photo above: High tunnel at Loma Farm, by Jeff Smith This Thanksgiving weekend, we’re grateful for the innovative Farm2Neighbor program. It’s a collaboration among the Northwest Food Coalition, GoodwillNMI Food Rescue and Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities...
26 Projects, 10 Counties, 1 Remarkable Program
A look back at Building Resilient Communities’ pilot year, 2021-2022. A farm distributes thousands more pounds of produce with new walk-in coolers. A childcare center transforms its backyard with a school garden. A food pantry sees record-high client numbers when...
Groundwork Helps Kalkaska Kids Reconnect to and Grow Their Own Food
“We’ve got a Larry!” I peel back bristly leaves to show a curious troop of grade schoolers a plump baby cucumber. It’s the first to grow in the Kalkaska childcare center’s new Little Learners Garden. This discovery inspires the kids to look closer at all the edible...
Yes, Actually, a Crockpot Can Be a Tool in Addiction Recovery
For 40 years, Addiction Treatment Services (ATS) has provided outpatient and residential treatment and services for people experiencing substance dependencies with a mission to promote a patient’s overall health, wellness, and recovery. The organization works in Grand...