Petoskey is lucky to have a group of committed volunteers who made the Petoskey Community Victory Garden a reality.  I have volunteered a few hours,mostly to organizing and fundraising.  My time pales in comparison to a few, very devoted, individuals who put in countless hours making our Garden a success. 

I don't have a plot at the Community Garden, I have a little container garden going at my house, but I love going to look at the plots.  The tomatoes, squash, and snap peas plants are weighed down with a generous harvest. On Monday I attended a Seed Saving Class, outside at the garden.  What a great setting, class, and teacher.  Susan Howard, our teacher, has worked to save native species through seed savings and it was apparent it is a passion for her.  

Yesterday, I attended a cooking demo, again outside at the Garden with Stafford's Corporate Chef, Gerald Gramzay.  He is passionate about food and its connection to your health, the planet, and our economy.  He has worked at some of the best restaurants in the United States, so we are fortunate to have him in northern Michigan, and at the Garden.  He prepared a Mediterranean Chicken Salad, his version of a Greek Salad with panko-oregano crusted chicken, greens from his own garden, beets, feta, cucumbers, and a lemon-shallot vinaigrette.  I think all of our mouths were watering by the time we got to sample this light meal that really highlighted the ingredients.