Deadline-NMMGA Grant Proposals
The NMMGA awards up to $500 annually for member projects. This year the Board voted to approve funds for the Central School Garden project. Members may submit proposals for 2026 project funds before the end of this year. The Board will make the decision to award funds by March 15. The proposal must be submitted by a member of the NMMGA for an approved Extension Master Gardener project. The proposal should include names of those involved, a description of the project and how it aligns with our mission. Funds are allocated for the calendar year. If they are not used, they will not roll over into the following year. A final report with project photos should be submitted at the completion of the project (or end of the calendar year in which the funds were used). Contact Babette jackandbabette@chartermi.net or Beth bethcowie@mac.com for more information or to submit a proposal for your project.
Community Read: Sand County Almanac
Join the Charlevoix County Conservation District in the Community Room for a Community Reading based in community, inspiration, and conservation as we read from Aldo Leopold's A Sand County Almanac. Leopold was a pioneer in the world of conservation so what better way to spend Aldo Leopold week (1st full week in March) than by sharing his love for nature through his writing. Cozy up with a free book, and some snacks and beverages on the house as we bring Leopold's beautiful writing and important message about the land to life!
Thank you to the Leopold Foundation for awarding us with a grant to help host this event!
A call to the Community!
If you or someone you might know in our Charlevoix County Community would be interested in reading a passage from A Sand County Almanac at this event please contact us at 231-582-6193 or alison.adams@macd.org. Thank you!
Smart Gardener Conference
Save this date for the day-long conference for Smart Gardening. Details on the speakers and schedule of events to follow. The conference will be in Bellville, MI at the Wayne County Conservation District.
NMMGA Annual Plant Sale
This is meant to hold the date and anticipate a great plant sale hosted by NMMGA members at the Emmet County Fairground in Petoskey.
NMMGA Board Meeting
Online meeting of the NMMGA board of directors. Please contact Beth Cowie for a link if you are interested in attending. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
Deadline for 2025 Hours
Please have all your volunteer hours and education hours posted to volunteer central by midnight today. The minimum requirements to maintain EMG status is 20 hours of volunteering and 10 hours of education.
General information and instructional videos plus link to Volunteer Central is here: https://www.canr.msu.edu/master_gardener_volunteer_program/for-extension-master-gardeners/volunteer_management_systems
Don’t wait! The deadline for entering volunteer and education hours is November 30. If you would like a refresher on how to enter hours or assistance navigating Volunteer Central, please contact our NMMGA Volunteer Central Ambassadors, Lorraine Lund lmlu83@yahoo.com or Ginny Heinritzi ginnyh1974@gmail.com You can also call (231-256-8323) for phone support from the Leelanau County MSU Extension Office.
Marvelous Mushrooms
Join the Antrim Conservation District for Marvelous Mushrooms and learn all about these amazing fungi with the Great Lake Mushroom Company! You'll learn all about mushroom cultivation, gourmet and medicinal mushrooms, and lots of cool educational insights. Every participant will take home their own All in One Grow kit so you can grow your own mushrooms at home! This workshop isn't just about mushrooms though, you'll learn about their vital role in our ecosystem and how important they are to our environment!
Cost: $39
Location: 7915 Cameron Street, Central Lake, MI
DEADLINE-2026 Scotland Garden Study Tour-MSUE MG Gardener Program
DEADLINE To Register for this epic tour is today. May 3-12 “Scotland’s Gardens, Castles and Landscapes: Scotland Gardens Study Tour” Maximum of 21 seats-first come/first served. Registration closes Nov. 25 or when spaces are full whichever comes first. For more information and to register: https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/2026-scotland-garden-study-touroffered-by-the-msu-extension-master-gardener-prog
Living in the Liberated Landscape: My Yard
oin Wild Ones for a free webinar featuring award-winning ecological designer and author Larry Weaner. Imagine a yard that becomes richer in wildlife and easier to care for with each season! All too often in our gardens and landscapes, we think of static compositions of carefully placed and managed plants. But our approach can be more dynamic and arguably more rewarding than that, by taking advantage of plants’ natural abilities to reproduce and proliferate.
Learn how to design gardens that consider the reproductive abilities of plants, the ecological processes that affect those plants, and the wildlife that those plants can support. Drawing from 35 years of observation and analysis on his home property, Larry will show how this interactive approach can result in experientially rich, easily managed landscapes that give new meaning to the phrase “partnership with nature".
Bonus: Free Book Giveaway Register and you’ll be automatically entered to win one of two copies of Garden Revolution by Larry Weaner and Thomas Christopher.
Can’t make it live? Register anyway- we'll send the recording link after the premiere.
Wild Ones-Elder Piper Social Event
Wild Ones of Northwest Lower Michigan is hosting a social event. Join other native plants enthusiasts to ask questions and share info. Whether your yard is completely native or you are just getting started on your native plant journey, come join others for some plant talk and good drinks!
Where? Elder Piper Cider & Beer, 923 Baxter, Petoskey Need directions?
NMMGA Member Meeting & Holiday Luncheon
This scheduled NMMGA annual member meeting starts at NOON and includes a pot-luck luncheon and a “Winter Sowing” presentation by Karen Pollard, Master Gardener and a member of NMMGA. The meeting will be held at the Harbor Springs City Hall community room. Bring a dish to share at this potluck luncheon and business meeting.
Directions to the City Hall at 160 Zoll Street in Harbor Springs (corner of Main & Zoll Streets) from your location can be mapped out by clicking here.
Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis-Stolz
DIG IN!
This is a pre-registered monthly program. A year-long monthly series of workshops sponsored by the MSU Extension is free to Master Gardeners. Earn education hours with the hour long online Zoom programs. You only need to register once for the whole series. Look for registration for the 2026 series this fall.
Lindsey Kerr and MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture Colleagues present Garden Gifts, Tools and Books, Gear up for the gift-giving season with ideas from the MSU Consumer Horticulture Team. Join Lindsey Kerr and her colleagues to roll out their favorites. Cool books, garden tools, and gadgets—get great ideas for gift giving to gardening friends…and what to add to your wish list!
NMMGA Board Meeting
NMMGA board of directors meeting at Petoskey Library. Please contact Beth Cowie or Babette Stenuis-Stolz if you are interested in attending. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR 2025 DIG IN! SERIES
LAST DAY TO REGISTER FOR THE 2025 Dig In! lecture series. Cost: Free (This class is only for certified Extension Master Gardener volunteers) Join MSU Extension Consumer Horticulture staff for this year-long series of 1-hour presentations. Each online session will feature an educational Smart Gardening topic, discussion and sharing that will help you stay connected while exploring new topics. Register once for the entire series. You will have access to all webinars presented in 2025.
Each session counts as one EMG continuing education hour. Past sessions are recorded and may be viewed any time. By signing up now (at the end of the year) you will get access to the full list of webinars for 2025.
Register here: https://events.anr.msu.edu/event.cfm?eventID=9164BAD9A1303301BB10C4D01B1283B8834490A4C08A147CBF537A3DB1E5B353
Garlic Mustard Paper-Making
Location: Charlevoix Conservation District, 303 North St, Boyne City, MI 49712, USA
Join us for a FREE hands-on Garlic Mustard Papermaking Workshop, where we’ll transform the pesky invasive plant, Alliaria petiolata (garlic mustard), into handcrafted paper.
Led by CAKE CISMA staff this workshop will explore how invasive species can be repurposed in artistic and educational ways. You’ll learn about the ecological impacts of garlic mustard and how its removal helps protect native ecosystems—then roll up your sleeves and dive into the papermaking process using leaves collected from this invader!
All materials will be provided, and no previous papermaking experience is necessary. This fun, interactive event is perfect for families, nature lovers, artists, and anyone interested in conservation through creativity.
Space is limited—registration required. Cancellations due to a variety of reasons will be communicated with registered participants via email.
REGISTER HERE: https://www.cakecisma.org/event-details/garlic-mustard-papermaking
Thank you for your interest in joining us! If you have any questions, please contact Katie Gray at cakecisma@macd.org or (231) 533-8363 ext. 5
Public Form on Changing Climate and Policy
The League of Women Voters of Northern Michigan Environment Committee is holding a public forum on November 5 at 5:30 PM at the LTBB Government Center, 7500 Odawa Circle, Harbor Springs. The forum address challenges for northern Michigan farms in the face of changes to climate and policy.
The speaker, Juliette McAvoy, is the VP of Sales and Marketing for King Orchards. She has experience with the changing climate and the changing policies that affect farms. All are welcome.
Free registration
Foraging for Wild Herbs
This walking tour is hosted by North Central Michigan College and lead by Sierra LaRose, Certified Herbalist, Wild Harvester, and owner of Bear Earth Herbals. Sierra leads a walk in the woods of the NCMC Nature Area to learn about wild plants and their properties. This walk will cover plant identification, ethical harvesting, herbal remedy preparation and much more. Bring a notebook and gear for possible changes in weather.
Cost: $30
Location: North Central Michigan College Nature Area
Register click: https://www.ncmclifelonglearning.com/event-6125400
Native Gardens & Climate Resilient Landscaping
Monarch Conservation Webinar is a FREE online monthly learning experience worthy of Master Gardener continuing education credit. One registration will get you access to the entire series. You are sent the link by email to access the webinar. November and December webinars are scheduled, but the topics have not been announced.
Please register here or use this link: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/monarchconservationwebinarseries/event/2025monarchconservationwebinarseries/
Fall Native Seedling Sale
Fall Native Seedling Sale sponsored by the Grand Traverse Conservation District includes more than a plant sale. Enjoy the pumpkin painting, self-guided hikes, and cider & donuts.
Location for this event: Boardman River Nature Center, 1450 Cass Road, Traverse City, MI 49685
For more information and pricing of plants visit: www.natureiscalling.org
MMGA Book Club Zoom Meeting
The next MMGA Book Club meeting will take place via Zoom on Thursday, October 23 at 7:00pm. We’ll be discussing “Night Magic, Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and other Marvels of the Dark” by Leigh Ann Henion.
Here is the Zoom link
Wild Ones Native Plant Discussion: Elder Piper Social
Elder Piper Social
Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025 at 6:30 pm
Elder Piper, 923 Baxter St, Petoskey, MI, 49770 Map
Join other native plants enthusiasts to ask questions and share info. Whether your yard is completely native or you are just getting started on your native plant journey, come join others for some plant talk and good drinks!
Foraging for Wild Herbs
This walking tour is hosted by North Central Michigan College and lead by Sierra LaRose, Certified Herbalist, Wild Harvester, and owner of Bear Earth Herbals. Sierra leads a walk in the woods of the NCMC Nature Area to learn about wild plants and their properties. This walk will cover plant identification, ethical harvesting, herbal remedy preparation and much more. Bring a notebook and gear for possible changes in weather.
Cost: $30
Location: North Central Michigan College Nature Area
Register click: https://www.ncmclifelonglearning.com/event-6125400
This event repeats on Wednesday, October 29.
NMMGA Board Meeting
Online meeting of the NMMGA board of directors. Please contact Beth Cowie for a link if you are interested in attending. Photo Credit: Babette Stenuis Stolz
Alanson Hillside Garden Fall Clean Up
The second and final Alanson Hillside Gardens fall clean up is on October 18 from 10:00am to 1:00pm. If anyone needs some additional volunteer hours, this would be a great way to finish the year. For more information, contact Nancy Zuker nancyzuker032@gmail.com
Alanson Hillside Garden Clean Up
The Alanson Hillside Gardens has scheduled fall clean up on October 15 and October 18 from 10:00-1:00 each day. If anyone needs some additional hours, this would be a great way to finish the year. For more information, contact Nancy Zuker nancyzuker032@gmail.com
Camp Daggett New Project + Member Meeting
You are invited to a special membership meeting to talk about an exciting new project for our chapter. We will gather at 10 am on Wednesday, October 15, on the beautiful grounds of Camp Daggett on the shore of Walloon Lake. The fall colors will be on display and cider and doughnuts will be served, all good reasons for putting this event on your calendar! Camp Daggett staff will lead us on a short stroll to view the areas where they’d like Master Gardeners’ expertise. This includes a great space for an educational native pollinator garden and some raised herb beds. Please come share your plant and design ideas while enjoying cider, doughnuts, and the camaraderie of fellow Master Gardeners among the fall colors at Camp Daggett!
From Camp Daggett executive director Julie Joles: “Wow!!!! This is so exciting. What a wonderful group of people to partner with on a project that desperately needs an inspired team. So grateful for your vision and infusion of time, energy, and new direction at one of our most trafficked locations.”
LOCATION: off of Camp Daggett Road between Petoskey and Boyne City. The address is: 03001 Church Road, Petoskey. RSVP: Email Babette at jackandbabette@chartermi.net or text/call her at (231) 838-9177
DIG IN!
This is a pre-registered monthly program. Registration was closed in November 2024. A year-long monthly series of workshops sponsored by the MSU Extension is free to Master Gardeners. Earn education hours with the hour long online Zoom programs. You only need to register once for the whole series. Look for registration for the 2026 series this fall.
Julie Crick, MSU Extension Natural Resources Educator presents Guiding Neighborhood Trees through Climate Change. Natural Resources Educator, Julie Crick, will discuss climate variations, both experienced and expected, and provide tips to limit resulting stressors on our urban trees. In addition, she will review species vulnerability reports for urban trees in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Charlevoix Area Garden Club Annual Fall Bulb Sale
The annual Bulb Sale for the Charlevoix Area Garden Club coincides with the community Apple Fest. The 2025 Apple fest is scheduled for October 10, 11, and 12. Details will be reported here as they become available.