Photo courtesy of Calumet Main Street Calumet’s Fifth Street community garden’s raised beds,shed and sunflowers planted there, summer of 2021.

CALUMET — Main Street Calumet announced its community garden space in the 400 block of 5th Street in downtown Calumet. The purpose of the garden is to provide a space for residents to grow food, host agricultural and nutrition based learning events, socialize, and activate the previously vacant space.

Main Street Calumet, therefore, is now accepting applications for the 2022 garden season. A 4-foot-by-8-foot raised bed is $20 for the season, and includes water and access to a shared shed.

For several years there has been interest in having a community garden in Calumet, said Leah Polzien, executive director of Main Street Calumet.

In 2021, that interest became a reality when Main Street Calumet partnered with the Village of Calumet and received a grant from the Portage Health Foundation to establish a community garden in downtown Calumet.

With the help of Youth Work, local volunteers and Upper Michigan Water Company (formerly Michigan American Water), a total of 16 4’x8′ beds were built and filled, a shed constructed, and seven large fruit tree planters were built and filled with a mix of fruit trees.

The purpose of the garden is to provide a space for residents to grow food, host agricultural and nutrition based learning events, socialize, and activate the previously vacant space.

“With the outdoor gardening season just around the corner, it’s time to get these plots assigned”, said Polzien. “I can’t wait to see residents tending and harvesting this summer, a well maintained garden will be a lift for the 400 block of Fifth Street.”

All member sof the community garden are required to perform four hours of community service for the garden annually.

Depending on interest, all or some of the plots may be preserved as “organic only” beds and users will be required to use only organic seed, and natural fertilizers and pesticides on these plots.

Village of Calumet residents will be given preference during plot selection.

A full copy of the gardener agreement and the application form can be found at https://www.mainstreetcalumet.com/community-garden.html. Inquiries should be directed to leah@mainstreetcalumet.comor call 906-337-6246.