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The Horizons Alternative School has a place to grow fruits and vegetables thanks to the hard work of around a dozen volunteers Saturday. Temperatures in the 80’s in Mohawk did not stop the group from putting in two shifts, where they leveled the ground in a circular pattern, and put down Superior Block stones.
Biology and math teacher Meg North says that her students designed the garden, using concepts taught in her courses.
This summer, the goal is to invigorate the topsoil donated by Superior Sand and Gravel using cover crops like buckwheat. Then the fun begins.
North says it is important to show her students that gardening is accessible. It is something they can do successfully, and hopefully it is an activity that will stick with them into adulthood. Going forward the garden will be a community effort, with restaurants and residents helping out over the summer. Tending the garden, watering, and harvesting are needs that don’t stop once school lets out.
Keweenaw Roller Derby made up a bulk of the volunteers. They compete in a league with Marquette and Kingsford, plus several Wisconsin teams throughout the summer in a normal year. COVID restrictions have snuffed that out again, and member Emily Shaw says the group is trying to give back to the community and businesses that have sponsored them throughout the years.
The garden was made possible by a grant from the Portage Health Foundation and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Michigan Tech’s Dr. Angie Carter helped in the efforts. She was joined by Western Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region office personnel. Assistant Regional Planner Rachael Pressley says another build is scheduled in two weeks.
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