This is a presentation hosted by the Master Gardener Association of Northwest Michigan and is held at the Traverse City Community Garden at The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park. Registration is required. www.mganm.org/events. “Soil is not dirt! Soil is our life support system. It is a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, living organisms and water that are vital for healthy plant growth, human nutrition, and regulation of the Earth’s climates. As one of the most significant components of the earth’s ecosystem, human life without soil would be very difficult. Productive and healthy soil is a key to environmental sustainability and helps in the creation of a healthier world." (Source: https://theimportantsite.com/reasons-why-soil-is-important/) This overview will help you better understand the various components that make soil and how important it is in providing a healthy environment so that plants and vegetables can grow and handle pests. Learn about the soil in Northwest Michigan and the ways to improve it. Also tour the Traverse City Community Garden located next to the Botanic Garden John Caravetta received his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Soil and Crop Science from Purdue University in Indiana. After graduation, John joined the Indiana Cooperative Extension Service as an Agricultural Extension Agent in northeast Indiana. John's experience beyond his time in Extension includes technical and management positions with a global agricultural chemical manufacturer, and, before retiring to the Traverse City area in late 2020, John served 22 years as Associate Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture. John is currently a Consulting Agronomist volunteering with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and other local organizations.

Presentations offer Continuing Education credits unless otherwise noted. A $5 donation is requested for non-MGANM members. Registration is required. Register here.

For direction to the Historic Barns Park click here.