Seed starting workshop and garden signup in Santee

SANTEE, NEBRASKA - Center for Rural Affairs’ Santee Community Food Project will host the 2017 gardener signup and seed starting workshop on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at 5 p.m., at Nebraska Indian Community College.

Participants will be able to sign up to participate in the 2017 garden program. The program offers starter plants and seeds, tilling in May and gardening assistance throughout the season.

The workshop later this month will teach growers how to start seeds on their own, and will provide starter kits. Gardeners who would like their garden tilled or to receive starter plants are encouraged to sign up at this time to be the first in line. Participants may request specific types of plants and seeds, including produce and flowers.

In addition, there will be an opportunity to sign up for soil testing. Center staff will conduct a small soil testing project. Education on soil basics and amendments will be offered PR before the planting season begins.

“We’re looking forward to planning the upcoming growing season,” said April Goettle, of the Center for Rural Affairs. “This workshop helps us get our hands in the dirt a little early.”

This workshop is part of the Santee Community Food Project, a joint effort between the Center for Rural Affairs and Nebraska Indian Community College.

“We’re working together and building on grassroots interest and support,” Goettle said. “This project brings fresh foods and economic opportunity to Santee, and gets people out in the garden.”

Project organizers offer a series of gardening, art and farmers market trainings throughout the year. Gardeners work on growing food for home consumption, and have the opportunity to sell any extra produce at the market or into the Food Basket Program.

Both the Santee Farmers Market and the garden training program were launched in 2012, and are now headed into the 2017 season. Last year, the market included 11 unique vendors and served over 1,000 customers.

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