Stacy Holbrook
Contributing Writer

(Stacy Holbrook/FAN – Earth to Table members [from left] Brandi Epler, vice-president, LeeAnn Maul, president, Liam Britton, MSU Extension Master Gardener, Wayne Ash, Lion’s Club/ADA Youth and Elderly Compliance Officer, Grace Hense inventory manager, and missing, member Mary Brewer, treasurer.)

Eaton County residents have had, since 2021, Earth to Table Urban Garden (E2TUG) on Dexter Road, north of Eaton Rapids, whch has grown to include sunflowers, strawberries, herbs, seven raised beds, 64 mounds and 21 rows of produce, three potato crates, a small grove of fruit trees, a pollinator plot with a table and chairs to enjoy the view, and a new compost station.  

Instead of using harmful chemicals for pest control, E2TUG volunteers use hand removal pest control, and biological controls that are derived from natural bacteria and fungi.  

E2TUG is now a non-profit organization. The grants they have received have provided the ability to expand. 

And now, Earth to Table and the Lions Club have joined forces, forming Eaton Rapids Earth to Table Urban Garden Lions Branch Club.

Members wear shirts that list all the sponsors on the back. All the plants were donated by Hastay’s Green House. 

E2TUG are partnered with the Greater Lansing Food Pantry (GLFP), as a certified garden that offers greater access to resources such as seeds, soil, and more. 

Last year, E2TUG donated to Helping Hands food pantry in Charlotte, that services over 26 counties with 75% of the 1,500 pounds of produce harvested.

This year they will be splitting the produce between Helping Hands and Heart and Hands in Eaton Rapids. 

They also donated to Sharing Grace meal program at the Thrive Church in Eaton Rapids.

If they have extra produce, E2TUG will donate that to the GLFP mobile food pantry in Eaton County. 

E2TUG assisted in setting up a program at Teen Space, called the Horticultural Science Environmental Entrepreneur Stewardship. 

E2TUG offers support and educational material as needed for the program, as well as tours through their garden. 

Some of this produce will be going to market and most of the produce will be for students that need it to take home. 

Also located at the E2TUG site is a 20-by-20 square foot pollinator plot that holds 17 unique species of native Michigan flowers that are good for the Monarch Butterflies and other pollinators. 

There is educational signage stacked around providing information on all the plants planted.

Upcoming Community Volunteer Days are Aug. 15 and Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

Oct. 11 is the harvest season ending party, set for 11 a.m. to 2 .m.

Earth to Table is looking for a few more board members; a secretary, maintenance lead, communications media advisor, as well as any volunteers interested in becoming involved. 

Check out the Facebook page by typing in Eaton Rapids Earth to Table, to find information.