FiveCAP garden workshops teach about nutrition, self-sufficiency

June 5, 2024

Master gardener Tony Faar-Rader teaches about plants.

SCOTTVILLE — Garden workshops offered to low-income residents of FiveCAP’s service area, were recently held in Scottville, Baldwin, Manistee and White Cloud. Participants received a variety of vegetable plants. Master Gardener Tony Faar-Rader and Garry McKeen, a Michigan State University master gardener shared planting tips and techniques for getting the best harvest from each plant.

Plants were distributed to 600 households, providing low-income residents with the self-sufficient means to grow and preserve their own food.

“This is one of the most empowering self-sufficiency tools available,” said Mary Trucks, executive director of FiveCAP. “That sense of accomplishment increases exponentially when you consider what food actually means to someone who is dependent on outside sources to provide enough to get by. Not to mention the nutrition benefits.”

In the fall, FiveCAP will follow up with a food preservation workshop, at which time another MSU expert will advise attendees on the best method for drying, canning or freezing what they’ve grown so they can continue to enjoy the fruits of their labor long after the growing season is done.

These workshops provide attendees the opportunity to interact with and have their questions answered by experts,” Trucks said. “The information is relevant to everyone from novices about how to plant their first plot or boil their first jars… to veterans who have many harvests and thousands of jars under their belts.”

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