Each Master Gardener is required to dedicate 20 hours annually to community projects. Often the volunteer hours exceed that minimum. Below are listed projects within northern Michigan approved by the Michigan State University Extension. Please contact us at nomimastergardeners@gmail.com if interested in volunteering at any of the projects.

NMMGA Plant Sale & Educational Support - Petoskey, Emmet County -38 positions

Volunteers are needed for the education and outreach activities during the Northern Michigan Master Gardeners Association's annual plant sale. Volunteers recruit plants from their own gardens, prepare pots, add identification for the plants; and bring them to the Fairgrounds barn. June 15 and 16 are set aside for preparing the barn and the sale is on June 17. Related nonprofit organizations are invited and bring free literature and handouts for particpants

 Location: Emmet County Fairgrounds, 1129 Charlevoix, Petoskey, MI

Emmet County Fairground Emmet County Fairgrounds - Petoskey, Emmet County-6 positions

Master Gardeners work with staff regarding the maintenance of existing perennial gardens (15+). Garden redesign to minimize maintenance and improve appearance using native plants is also involved.  Shifts of volunteers are organized for both morning and evening times throughout the summer.

Hillside Garden - Alanson, Emmet County- 7 positions

Planting, maintaining, dividing and labeling flowers at the Hillside Garden in Alanson.

First Presbyterian Church - Petoskey, Emmet County – 1 position

A group of church community volunteers led by EMG volunteers cares for the rain garden and native plant gardens. The gardens are accessible to the public and educational signs will be erected so that visitors can learn about the importance of plants to pollinators and other wildlife.

Wild Ones of Northwest Lower Michigan Educational Support - Petoskey, Emmet County-unlimited

Classes and events will provide information about native plants to gardeners. Our goal will be to help people understand the importance of sound gardening and landscaping practices to preserve biodiversity with restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Topics of classes and events may include rain gardens and practices to protect water quality, integrated pest managements, diagnostics, how to choose plants (right plant, right place), and soil science.

Petoskey Methodist Church Food Donation Garden - Petoskey, Emmet County-9 positions

Working with members and youth volunteers in the selection, planting, maintenance harvesting of vegetables which are then donated to the Manna project food bank. Since 2010, this project has donated over 25,000 pounds of fresh vegetables to the needy of Emmet, Charlevoix Cheboygan Counties.

Petoskey Methodist Church Food Donation Garden - Petoskey, Emmet County-9 positions

Working with members and youth volunteers in the selection, planting, maintenance harvesting of vegetables which are then donated to the Manna project food bank. Since 2010, this project has donated over 25,000 pounds of fresh vegetables to the needy of Emmet, Charlevoix Cheboygan Counties.

Petoskey Methodist Church Youth Education Gardens - Petoskey, Emmet County -11 positions

Waterfall Meditation Area working with youth training members regarding plant selection, planting, maintenance tagging with an emphasis on native plants

Petoskey City Gardens - Petoskey, Emmet County-2 Positions

Work with the local garden club and Petoskey Public Works employees to plan and maintain city gardens. Master Gardeners provide advice/knowledge regarding pests, disease, water conservation (gardens adjacent to Little Traverse Bay), soil augmentation plant selection .and Includes presentations regarding these topics and ongoing gardening support throughout the year.

St. Nicholas Church Garden - Larks Lake, Emmet County-12 positions

Redesign and maintenance of garden beds. The youth group and mixed age of adult women and men help with the project. Participants are educated about environmentally friendly garden practices including water conservation and plant health care.

Harbor Springs Garden Club Gardens - Harbor Springs, Emmet County- 11 positions

Volunteers would be involved in garden design, garden maintenance, activities related to protection of water quality, and public education.

Charlevoix Civic Gardens - Charlevoix, Charlevoix County-9 positions

The CAGC creates and maintains 8 civic gardens throughout the city of Charlevoix. These include: Depot Heritage Garden, Historical Society Garden, Public Library Garden, Meditation Garden at Charlevoix Hospital, Memorial Garden, Pere Charlevoix Garden, US Post Office Garden, and the Triangle Garden. These gardens enhance civic spaces, offer spaces for rest and reflection, and serve as extensions of historic and public buildings. Volunteers are needed for each garden to help with design/layout, planting, maintenance, and final fall clean-up.

Old City Park Project - Boyne City, Charlevoix County- 8 positions

Work with volunteers from the Friends of the Boyne River to educate and assist with the stabilization of Boyne River riverbanks. Information covered includes introduction of rocks, use of native plants and other means to prevent soil erosion and sustain the good health of the river.

Charlevoix Welcome Sign and Education Garden - Charlevoix, Charlevoix County-11 positions

The Welcome to Charlevoix sign at entrance to Pine River needs volunteers to design the garden, plant the layout, and maintain the garden. Plants used in design will be labeled. Master Gardener volunteers work with community volunteers as part of educational programming.

Boyne Valley Garden Club - Bridge Garden - Boyne City, Charlevoix County - 6 positions

Work with, educate, and train volunteers to develop, create and maintain Bridge Garden. Education may include training volunteers regarding soil analysis and augmentation; teaching volunteers how to select the appropriate plants for the location, sensitivity to environmental conditions, and how to maintain garden for maximum visual impact.

Boyne River Nature Garden - Rain Garden - Boyne City, Charlevoix County - 8 positions

Maintenance of the newly created Educational Rain Garden and ongoing education sharing with visitors to the rain garden are the primary roles of the volunteers.

Lake Charlevoix Demonstration Gardens - Charlevoix, Charlevoix County- 10 positions

Working with and educating citizens and other interested parties in order to design, install and maintain shoreline demonstration gardens on Lake Charlevoix.

Petoskey Methodist Church Food Donation Garden - Petoskey, Emmet County-9 positions

Work, teach, and learn with church members and youth volunteers while involved in the selection, planting, maintenance, and harvesting of vegetables. The produce is donated to the Manna project food bank. Since 2010, this project has donated over 25,000 pounds of fresh vegetables to the needy of Emmet, Charlevoix Cheboygan Counties.

Protect Lake Charlevoix - Charlevoix, Charlevoix County - 5 positions

This project of Lake Charlevoix Association educates the public on both riparian and watershed. Volunteers are needed to distribute educational materials and update organizations like chambers, libraries, township halls, and other places around the lake with current best practice brochures , website information, and demonstration garden maintenance. Mster Gardeeners are needed for production of two annual newsletters and educating the public about best practices for maintaining the health of the lake. This is an ongoing project.

First Presbyterian Church - Petoskey, Emmet County – 1 position

A group of church community volunteers led by EMG volunteers cares for the rain garden and native plant gardens. The gardens are accessible to the public and educational signs will be erected so that visitors can learn about the importance of plants to pollinators and other wildlife.

Offield Family Viewlands - Harbor Springs, Emmet County-9 positions

The 280 acre former golf club was acquired by Little Traverse Conservancy in 2020 and creates an opportunity for nature recreation and education. Work will restore fragmented habitats and broaden ecosystem protection. The property is open to all and is visited by local residents and tourists. The 4.5 miles of existing trails are used by people of all ages. Educational signage is being installed to inform visitors about the on-going plantings and the goal of restoring the landscape to its natural state after having been operated as a golf club for more than 3 decades.

 Location: 995 Hideaway Valley Drive, Harbor Springs, MI