Urban Greens Program Springs Into Summer with Tons of Events

ZANESVILLE, OH – The Muskingum Soil and Water Conservation District’s Urban Greens Program is gearing up for a summer full of fun and learning opportunities.

Over at their largest garden, Marshall Greens, work is currently finishing up on the new outdoor kitchen and classroom area.

Betsy Rosser, an Urban Agriculture Resource Specialist with the Conservation District, says this new addition was made possible through a grant from the J.W. & M.H. Straker Charitable Foundation.

“We just wrapped up our fall Straker Grant Project, it’s an outdoor classroom and kitchen. We’re really excited to be able to now utilize this space for things like food demonstrations,“ Rosser said. “So it means so much to us, you know, what I always talk about with this program is how so many different agencies in our community come together for this cause. You know, around food security in our area and making fresh foods more accessible to people.”

Heading to Brighton Grows, the Youth Garden Club from the James Singer Center has made it their summer mission to grow the biggest pumpkin.

Rosser said the community is invited to come check out the pumpkin patch’s growth by attending any of the events in the Brighton Grows Event Series.

She said this is a great way to get out, get your hands in the soil, and connect with fellow community members.

“I did just want to note that the Cairn Guys, they were the winners of our 2024 Garden Olympics last season, they volunteered collectively over 400 hours. Well this year they are actually working on our gardens every single Tuesday, so they’re getting their hands in the soil quite often this season and that’s been really beautiful to have their participation and their help,” Rosser said. “But we still need more and would love to see more people getting to have those same experiences and you can do that by joining the Muskingum Friends in Action Voly Account.”

Also the Office’s annual berry sale has wrapped up and there are still a few blackberry and raspberry plants available if you missed it but it is on a first come, first served basis.

If you are interested in helping out with any of the Urban Greens Gardens this summer, you can head to zmfriends.voly.org to sign up.