Gardeners offer grants

The St. Croix County Master Gardener’s Association invites individuals or organizations to apply for a grant to help beautify their community this year. A total of $3,500 will be given in grant money; application deadline is April 18.

Projects should benefit a non-profit or community service-based organization in St. Croix or Pierce counties.

Types of projects previously funded include improvement of public spaces, community and civic gardening educational projects, and environmental stewardship. Horticultural educational projects aimed at youth or adults or projects aimed at growing food are also encouraged.

Past projects have included rain gardens, school gardens, library and community gardens, gardens at senior centers, nursing homes, senior apartments and Habitat for Humanity houses, prairie gardens, fairground projects, buckthorn removal and youth projects.

Proposals must be submitted using the association’s application and returned via regular mail. To get an application, contact Wendy Kramer at remark@baldwin-telecom.net, (715) 684-3642 or visit www.uwex.edu/ces/westwihort/mg/SCVMGAinfo.cfm.

Projects receiving monies are required to submit a final report to SCVMGA by Oct. 1, 2009.

Farm business

The UW-Extension office in Baldwin is holding a workshop on Developing a Fruit or Vegetable Small Farm Business, Friday, March 27, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in Baldwin, 1960 Eighth Ave.

The workshop is designed to assist people wanting to grow fruits or vegetables for income.

Presenters are Roger Browne, owner of Rising Sun Farm near River Falls, berry farmers Terry and John Cuddy of Rush River Produce near Prescott, Dr. Brian Smith of UW-River Falls, horticulture educator Ruth Hilfiker and Steve DeWald of the Small Business Development Center in River Falls.

Pre-registration is required by March 24: (715) 684-3301, ext. 5, or mail a check (payable to UW-Extension) to: Ruth Hilfiker, UW-Extension, 1960 Eighth Ave., Baldwin WI 54001. Cost is $20 (includes lunch), $25 for two from the same farm.

Tags: community, stcroixcounty, master, gardeners, grants