Planting roots in a new community can be difficult yet achievable through growing connections and blooming friendships. The Michigan State University (MSU) 1855 Community Garden, established in 2017 for residents of the 1855 Place Apartments, was revitalized in spring of 2023 with the help of students and the Spartan community.

The garden promotes well-being and a sense of  belonging through hands-on cultivation of organic produce. It fosters neighborhood unity, increases accessibility to healthy foods and connects those in the community to nature. The space also offers an opportunity to educate youth on environmental impacts of crops and promote sustainable living.

All Hands on Deck

Paige Emerson, community director for University Apartments (1855 Place, University Village and Spartan Village), led the community garden renovation after the Coronavirus lockdown in 2020. Emmerson partnered with MSU Residential Initiative on the Study of the Environment (RISE) and Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) 410 students to prepare the land by tilling, weeding and constructing raised beds from scrap wood. Additionally, Emmerson personally funded keys for padlocks to ensure safe access to the garden for residents.

By May 2023, the garden officially reopened with a total of 46 beds being rebuilt, including 20 raised beds measuring 4 feet by 4 feet and 26 beds measuring 4 feet by 8 feet. Landscaping fabric and mulch were laid, and a canopy was installed to create an inviting gardening environment for residents.

Time to Harvest

The growing season begins in late April or early May and extends until late September or early November depending on the first freeze. RISE and MSU Student Organic Farms provided and transplanted starter plants for residents at the start of the season. Seeds were also donated by the Greater Lansing Food Bank, RISE and community members.

Throughout the summer, a variety of produce is grown, including, but not limited to, lettuces, cucumbers, tomatoes, beans, hot peppers, sweet peppers, potatoes, zucchini, squash, tomatoes, basil, okra and onions. Additionally, non-native plants imported by international students, such as tarragon and summer savory, contribute to the garden’s diversity.

Gardening With Intention

Jessica Stokes, an 1855 Place Apartments resident and disabled poet/performer/educator/scholar pursuing their Ph.D. at MSU began gardening in 2021 with their young daughter. Stokes wanted to teach their daughter ways to discuss food and its significance without discussing fat phobia and ableism. Working together in the garden, they shifted the focus to the role of nutrients in plants, understanding grocery store supply chains, farming methods and food waste.

Stokes also created anti-pesticide solutions to deter damage from insects like cucumber beetles in their garden.This provided an opportunity for their daughter to visually and tactilely learn the cost benefits of avoiding harsh chemicals and forming relationships with creatures, while experiencing the space to grow her own foods.

Stokes' plot holds a variety of plants such as tomatoes, summer squash, zucchini, dill kale, lettuce, collard greens, peppers and sugar snap peas, which her daughter often picks off the vine to share with the neighborhood kids. They divided their plot into five sections, with their daughter and other neighborhood children helping to water and care for the garden. During their time in the garden, Stokes’ daughter created friendships with children from all around the world, including Australia, Kazakhstan and the U.S.

Stokes expressed appreciation for the garden, emphasizing the importance of having a connected outdoor space to strengthen community bonds.

“I love having a shared space that I’m proud of,” said Stokes. “After the [Feb. 13, 2023 on-campus] shooting, I felt a big moment of disconnection, where we were finding each other here at Michigan State. The garden has been a way to regain relationships with MSU and build deeper and tighter connections for the future.”

The Plant Whisperer

Fahim Mohammadi, an 1855 Place Apartment resident, moved from Iran to Michigan in November 2022 to apply for a Ph.D. in microbiology. Until she receives an upgraded visa to submit her Ph.D. application, she attends MSU’s Friendship House, where she takes classes for international students such as English, sewing and crocheting.

Mohammadi became involved in the 1855 community garden in May 2023, but her love for plants runs deep since childhood. Her friends turn to her to save their plants, a role that has earned her the title of “plant whisperer.” 
“I know based on my culture, this country doesn’t have Iranian products, so I need to grow our products here as much as I can, like tarragon and summer savory,” said Mohammadi. “Most of the meals we cook use lots of dried vegetables like herbs and dried dill, so in the winter when the weather is cold, when we don’t have parsley, we prefer to use our own dried herbs, like chives.”

In Mohammadi’s plot, she proudly grows cilantro, parsley, dill, chives, basil, beets, spinach, mint, peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, tarragon and summer savory.

Mohammadi spends most of her time at home studying English, taking breaks for fresh air by working on her garden. She finds relaxation in watering and seeing her plants prosper and grow, which brings her joy. She enjoys reaping the rewards of her dedication and commitment to her garden, equating her love for plants to a mother caring for her children.

“Before having a raised bed, I didn’t know or see people living at 1855,” said Mohammadi. “But now in the evening, when I water the plants, I see other people and children taking care of their plants, and I make friends by saying hello and asking about their garden. I think it has helped us make new friends and good relationships with each other.”

What’s Next?

Looking forward, Emmerson plans to hold weekly programs and workshops to educate residents on gardening, including planting, composting, harvesting, etc. She also hopes to lead a composting program in collaboration with RISE and to build a permanent shade structure to create a space for the community to gather.

1855 Place Apartments residents fill out the Google interest form in the spring to request a raised bed. Plots are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis and can be renewed the following year.

To learn more about community gardening on campus, visit sustainability.msu.edu/campus-information/sustainable-facilities/MSUGardens.html or canr.msu.edu/community_gardening.