Great Lakes Steward Ship Initiative Northeast Michigan

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” –Margaret Mead

This is exactly what lead teacher Valorie Haneckow is achieving along with the help of local groups and organizations; including the Alcona 4-H Club Born in a Barn, Alcona Health Centers, Alcona County Master Gardeners, Alcona FFA Chapter, Alcona Community Schools Industrial Arts Program, Alcona Community Schools Art and Design classes, and more.

The Alcona Community Garden was launched in 2011 after receiving a start up grant from the Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative. Over the past years the garden has expanded and now includes two fenced in sections and an automatic drip irrigation watering system. The advancement in the irrigation system has greatly contributed to the gardens success. In the summer of 2013 an estimated 120 bags of produce were delivered to local organizations for distribution throughout Alcona County – And this number is expected to increase as advancements in the garden are made for next year. Russ Champagne, Agriscience Para-professional at Alcona Community Schools, is the mastermind behind these technological advancements throughout the garden. Champagne said the best part of this project is seeing the kid’s faces when they see what all their hard work has achieved.

Helen-Ann Prince, former Huron Pines AmeriCorps Member serving with the NE MI GLSI, said the unique aspect of this project is how it expands across grade levels at Alcona Community Schools. Alcona County Master Gardeners worked with first graders up to high school students to start and care for seeds. Throughout the summer students and local 4-H members from various grade levels volunteer at the garden to plant seeds, weed, trim tomatoes plants and harvest produce.

This is an exciting project with many community partners involved. If you would like to volunteer or learn more about the Alcona Community Garden please contact Valorie Haneckow at haneckowv@alconaschools.net.

Plants:

Alcona Community Garden Logo

Bob Kenedy (L) and Billie Thompson (center) trained students how to trim tomato plants and use alcohol to clean their clippers before moving to the next plant.

Alcona County Master Gardener Billie Thompson taught Caleb, Alcona Elementary student, how to trim a tomato plant in the garden.

Helen-Ann Prince working with Amelia to trim tomato plants before their cage is put around them.

Lead teacher Valorie Haneckow and Alcona Community Elementary student Makayla harvested the first crop of broccoli for the summer of 2013.

Makayla, Alcona Community Schools kindergartener, learned how to pick basil leafs in the community garden.

Current and former Alcona Community Schools students volunteered in the garden to harvest produce.

4-H'er Zach Stephenson volunteering in the garden and seeing which green peppers are ready to be harvested.

Huron Pines AmeriCorps members Sarah Adcock (L) and Helen-Ann Prince (R) picking green beans in the garden.

Nick, an Alcona High School senior, is the Alcona Community Garden manager for his Agriscience project � he manages seed production, ordering material and more!

4-H Members Zach and Alex Stephenson received a 4-H Gardening Award for their work in the Alcona Community Garden!

The Alcona Community Garden consists of two fenced in sections located between the Alcona Elementary School and Alcona Health Center.