Discover an exciting new class on starting a school or community garden
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EmailLearn the essential steps to success in school or community gardens with this free online course.
Do you love your community and want to start a school or community garden? Are you a beginning gardener looking for direction so that your school or community garden is as successful as it can be? If so, consider taking this free class! The "Starting a School or Community Garden: Essential Steps for Success" course offers a flexible, self-paced online learning experience. Offered by Michigan State University Extension, this course provides valuable guidance on launching and sustaining school or community garden projects.
Developed by MSU Extension community food systems and consumer horticulture educators, the course is designed to support the creation of successful and sustainable gardens. Participants engage in interactive online activities that explore key topics such as garden management, planning, and problem-solving. Optional assignments allow learners to apply course principles directly to their own garden projects, helping them prepare effectively before making purchases or beginning physical work.
Lessons include:
- Managing Gardens
- Garden goals
- Gathering champions and support
- Garden management and decision making
- Garden sustainability and funding
- Garden Planning
- Site selection
- Soil overview
- Basics of plant selection
- Garden Problem Solving
- Real-world examples from actual school and community gardens
Participation in this course is free and takes place on MSU's Desire 2 Learn online platform. Participants who successfully complete the final course quiz will receive a certificate of completion. Those interested can learn more at the Starting a School or Community Garden: Essential Steps for Success Registration page.
This course is designed for those in the planning stages of creating a community garden or those who have recently created a garden. While some of the lessons may be beneficial for established garden spaces, much of this course covers the initial planning stages.
For those seeking in-depth information on plant care and production, check out these other courses from MSU Extension:
