DIGGIN' IN THE DIRT. Pair that activity with a group of folks who enjoy it as well, and you've got yourself a pretty cool community. At least, that's what happened with the Lake Wissota Garden Club. (Photos via Facebook)

The 41 members of the Lake Wissota Garden Club share a common passion: digging in the dirt and their joy of gardening. The nonprofit organization includes different levels of garden knowledge and experience, each member combining their knowledge to form a stronger group.

Throughout its 49 years, the club has continually evolved to stay up to date with new information and garden practices. “We stress the importance of native plants for insect pollinators and birds, and we promote environmentally sound landscape design,” Kristen Brown, president of the club, said. These focuses and goals are reflected in the group’s events.

Currently, the group maintains six gardens: A raised bed vegetable garden at the Wisconsin Veterans Home; a native wildflower sanctuary with monthly tours at Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls; native drought-tolerant plantings at the Lafayette Sports Complex and Firehouse; a native pollinator garden at the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds; Welcome Garden at the entrance to Chippewa Falls; and a landscaped bed at the Irvine Park Zoo.

Part of Lake Wissota Garden Club's efforts at the Veteran's Home Garden in Chippewa Falls resulted in the pictured veggies.

The maintenance of these gardens demonstrates the group's priority for using plant species native to the region and beneficial for insect pollinators. The group implements practices that will build “climate resistance,” Brown said.

Brown also detailed the four categories the group focuses on: education, community, social connection, and fundraising. The group prides itself on education as they “have monthly speakers, hands-on learning, and field trips to expand our skills and understanding,” Brown said.

The Lake Wissota Garden Club fosters a sense of community through various projects, including working with local third-grade students to cultivate their interest in horticulture, and provides a place for social connection.

“It is a great opportunity for newcomers or recent retirees to connect with like-minded people,” Brown said.

The last of the four club pillars Brown described is fundraising. The group applies for grants and strategizes fundraising so they can facilitate their ambitious plans, she said.

The group meets every second Thursday of the month – regularly held at 6:30pm – at the Lafayette Town Hall. Reach out to lakewissotagc@gmail.com and keep up with the group on Facebook for future meeting notices and information.

Learn more about the Lake Wissota Garden Club at lakewissotagardenclub.weebly.com.