Lansing Residents Grow Vegetables in Community Greenhouse

Bringing Knowledge to Life! / Partner Report /
InghamCounty
121 East Maple Street, PO Box 319,
Mason, Michigan48854
Phone: 517-676-7207 / E-mail:
Fax:517-676-7288
Web:msue.msu.edu/ingham
December 2008

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director, MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI48824. This information is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.

Lansing residents grow vegetables in community greenhouse

Fresh fruit and vegetables are difficult to come by in Lansing’s east-side neighborhoods. It is often referred to a food desert, due to the lack of grocery stores within walking distance. Neighborhood residents have taken matters into their own hands by growing fresh vegetables in a community greenhouse located in Hunter Park.

Growing food in a greenhouse environment is different than outdoors and requires specialized gardening skills. The AllenNeighborhood Center and Ingham County MSU Extension teamed up to develop and offer an Urban Gardener Volunteer Training Program that teaches residents how to grow fresh vegetables in a greenhouse to supplement their diets.

Twenty five people enrolled in the inaugural program, held during September and October. Participants received 10 weeks of training on topics that included an introduction to plants, growing fruits and vegetables, composting, water quality, soil fertility, fertilizers, organic gardening, pest control, native plants and volunteer orientation.

To be certified, participants were required to attend all of the classes and volunteer an additional 40 hours assisting other community members with growing projects in the greenhouse.

All of the participants completed the entire class series. These enthusiastic volunteers have begun teaching other residents and community groups how to produce food in the community greenhouse as a way of extending the growing season.

They also learned to teach their neighbors how to start their own seedlings indoors, grow food crops in containers and tend small gardens.

Gary Heilig, horticulture educator

New Lansing residents learn to safely prepare and eat healthy foods

Large numbers of immigrants are arriving in the Lansing area each day. Ingham County MSU Extension’s food and nutrition programs are helping these families and individuals discover the foods and resources that are available to them.

Each week, about 20 new refugees are referred to MSUExtension from Lansing Refugee Services. Extension program associates teach cooking techniques and simple recipes using food available from area food pantries.

The majority of these foods are canned, making understanding of how to open and use this food more of a challenge; most refugees are only familiar with fresh fruits and vegetables.

The proper use of kitchen utensils is taught to make food preparation safer and easier. Participants also learn the proper use of dish and hand soap. The class objectives are to help families and individuals be healthy, eat healthy foods and gain valuable life skills.

The students are so enthusiastic and motivated to learn that attendance increaseseach week. Beginning in January, additional classes will be offered at St. Vincent Catholic Charities and Summer Place apartments to meet the ever-increasing demand.

Joyce McGarry, Extension educator

Healthy eating leads to improved life outcomes for adults with diabetes

Statistics show that 10 percent of Ingham County adults have been diagnosed with Type II (adult-onset) diabetes. Through the Ingham County MSU Extension’s “Dining with Diabetes” program, individuals with diabetes and their families are learning to make positive behavior changes and take charge of their disease.

A 2004 report on the health status of Ingham County states that “the onset and control of diabetes are influenced by diet and physical activity and self care.” “Dining with Diabetes” promotes healthy eating by helping participants prepare and sample a variety of recipes while sharing information on the food-related aspects of diabetes.

Simple recipes are demonstrated that are prepared with a few inexpensive ingredients and with lower fat and salt content. More emphasis is placed on the need for fiber and calcium. Program participants commented that they have learned that “food does not have to be bland” and “healthy food tastes good.”

On the three-month follow-up evaluation, participants reported their amounts of carbohydrates were being controlled, they were eating more vegetables and reading product labels. Program participants are learning that with proper diet and exercise, Type II diabetes can be controlled. For many, it is a first step toward improved life outcomes.

Joyce McGarry, Extension educator

Economic workshop participants seek grants to benefit region

Increasing the number and quality of applications for federal and state funds can improve the local economy.

Many Ingham County non-profit organizations and municipalities learned about assistance available to our region in an economic recovery workshop sponsored by Ingham County MSU Extension and a number of local partners.

To increase the number of applications for grants and technical assistance, Ingham County MSU Extension economic development educator Sue Pigg worked with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission, the Capital Area United Way, MSU and the Power of We Consortium to host a workshop for area organizations and agencies.

During the half-day session, representatives of 16 federal and state agencies presented concise descriptions of the aid they offer in the Ingham County region. Then, each presenter hosted a table for one-on-one and small group discussions with workshop participants.

More than 120 representatives from area municipalities, non-profit organizations, and human services agencies attended the event and learned about a variety of assistance available to the community.

To complement the workshop, Pigg helped participants and other community leaders form networks to improve the success of future grant applications. These networks will meet to discuss their common concerns, consider how to help each other improve their funding applications, and support each others’ efforts.

A high degree of interest was expressed for seeking funding in areas such as housing, economic development infrastructure and volunteer services.

Participants identified possible projects and reviewed possible funding sources.

As a result of this workshop, more robust, collaborative and competitive grant proposals will be coming from municipalities, agencies and organizations in mid-Michigan. This increases their chances of receiving state or federal funding to benefit residents.

Susan Pigg, Economic Development educator