Almanac

Join us for this interactive workshop as part of the Great lakes Incubator Farm Community "Growing Together" Series, where we’ll explore the benefits of cover cropping and crop rotation for soil health and sustainable farming. Learn which cover crop species work best for different goals, such as improving soil structure, reducing erosion, or fixing nitrogen, and discover how strategic crop rotations can enhance fertility, suppress pests, and maximize yields. Perfect for gardeners, farmers, and anyone passionate about growing sustainably!

Program at Mills Community House at 891 Michigan Avenue (US 31), Benzonia
Or email plantitwild2day@gmail.com to register for a Zoom invitation.

Seeds of Success: The Role of Seed Collection in Local Conservation Efforts.

Native plants are the building blocks of ecological rehabilitation, and it all starts with a seed! Join us as we discover the why, when, and how of seed collection efforts at a local scale, and the importance of such to biological conservation in your own yard.

CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF LONG LAKE - A Farmers Market will be held at Haywood Park, due east of the Long Lake Township Hall at 8870 N Long Lake Rd, Traverse City, Michigan 49685 near the Bocce Ball Courts. The Market will be open Thursdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm from June 5th to October 2nd.

We are excited to create a community-based market that celebrates the historic agricultural traditions of Long Lake Township while providing opportunities for Long Lake residents and the surrounding community to buy and sell locally grown and produced products.

If you would like to participate, please email us at welcome@longlaketownship.com, call us at (231)946-2249, or stop by the township hall. Also, we will continuously be accepting vendor applications. If you are interested in being a vendor, please visit the township website or stop by for more information and an application.

9:30am social time. Regular meeting begins at 10:00 am during which we will discuss plans for upcoming programs and activities, as well as, volunteer opportunities.

Anyone interested in supporting the library is always welcome. Held at Helena Township Community Center, 8751 Helena Rd, Alden. 231-331-4318.

Help us restore and protect the incredible ecosystems of the Maple Bay Natural Area through invasive autumn olive removal! Native wildflowers, mushrooms, trees, and shrubs that rely on this healthy habitat are currently under threat of being displaced by this aggressive invasive shrub.

GTRLC will supply all materials necessary for the workday. Our team will teach you everything you need to know about tool use, safety, and invasive species identification and removal. No prior experience is necessary - just come ready to learn something new! This activity is moderately strenuous, with volunteers often bending and kneeling to cut and pile plants. There is a porta-john available on site, but no access to drinking water.

Dress for the weather! Always check the forecast in advance
Sturdy, closed-toe shoes that can handle some mud
Bring a reusable water bottle and some snacks
Sunscreen and bug spray for your safety and comfort
A pair of leather work gloves (autumn olive has thorns!)

Meet us in the parking area for Maple Bay Natural Area. Directions are on our website.

Ohio artist Nicholas Hill brings the 19th century to his Glen Arbor Arts Center residency in September. Hill, a resident of Granville, Ohio, has developed a practice around the combining of intaglio printmaking and cyanotype photography, a plein air approach to cameraless photography. Hill will talk about the resulting collages he’ll make while in Northern Michigan at a presentation on September 18, 10 am.
The program takes place at the GAAC, and is open to the public at no charge.

“I use the concept of ‘plein air’ in a distinctive manner,” he said. “I work outside when creating plates and cyanotypes. I use the studio for the printing phase. I return to outside to create the finished collages. This use of direct observation is unique because I am creating the finished images as ‘printerly’ collages in nature.

The GAAC has been hosting visiting artmakers as part of its residency program since the 1990s. For more information about the GAAC’s AIR Program go to GlenArborArt.org / ARTISTS.

Date: September 15, 16, and 19 2025
Time: 1–4 pm
Registration Deadline: Thursday, September 11, 2025
Location: Thoreson Farm
Learn new techniques or refresh your skills in surface decoration using sgraffito, slip trailing, and overglaze brushwork. The instructor will provide tiles and extruded pieces. Students are welcome to bring their leather-hard pieces to decorate.

The purpose of the East Bay Corners Farmers Market is to provide fresh and locally grown products, educate the public on the importance of farming best practices, promote local agriculturally based business development, forge partnerships with local farmers and community partners, and create a community gathering space at the Township Hall. East Bay Corners Farmers Market accepts SNAP/EBT benefits and also offers a Power of Produce program for kids ages 5-13. There is family-friendly programming throughout the summer including live music, food trucks, and family game nights. It is a great night out for the whole family.

The Market will open on June 5, 2025 and run until October 2, 2025. It will be held on Thursdays from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at the Township Hall at 1965 N. 3 Mile Road Traverse City, MI 49696. More information about the East Bay Corners Farmers Market and other Food Security programs can be found on the East Bay Township website by visiting: https://eastbaytwp.org/residents/food_security.php

Register by September 16th

In this class, northern Michigan artist Steve Seebohm, we will delve into common principles of drawing for beginner or intermediate level artists, or students who want to improve their skills. You will review the importance of “How to Look,” the Line in artwork, along with drawing basic shapes, the importance of measuring, basics of perspective, value, composition and contour drawing.

Steve is a local artist who graduated from Parsons School of Design with a degree in illustration and began his journey in Drawing through 20 hours of work with 5 instructors weekly during the pre-cellphone, pre-digital days. It is his desire to help other artists improve their work by understanding drawing principles that are basic for most artwork, and avoid falling into “Photocopier Syndrome!”

Steve will provide a drawn demonstration of the principles he is discussing, but encourages students to bring something to draw on and with, and for taking notes.

Individuals of all levels are welcome: Beginners to Experienced!

Book Club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 pm