Vision Statement: Cultivate and inspire ecologically-minded agriculture and partnership with land and people.

Mission Statement: Gathering Ground educates youth and adults in sustainable agriculture and promotes economic development through agriculture, to strengthen the health of individuals, the Washington Island community, and the environment.

Why ‘Gathering Ground’?

We like to think of Gathering Ground as both a noun as a verb. Gathering Ground is a place — 35 beautiful acres comprised of vineyard, a school garden, woods, and a lot of potential. It is a place community members gather together. Work together. Celebrate together. Learn together.

We also think of Gathering Ground as a verb:

Working to gain momentum, build interest toward the common goal of making Washington Island a place where sustainable agriculture thrives.  We work to build excitement and financial development around sustainable farming.

And Gathering Ground also refers to the literal ground — to the building of healthy soils. We are working with tree roots, microbes, organic matter, water, and worms to gather together healthy soil to help grow good food.

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Our Blog: Gather Round

Gather Round is our blog dedicated to sharing news about Gathering Ground’s activities, promoting sustainable agriculture and growing community on Washington Island!

Vineyard Potluck, Sept 1, 4-8 pm

Posted on by Alessandra

Please join Gathering Ground for a Potluck in the Vineyard on Friday, Sept 1, 4-8. Bring a dish to share and a picnic blanket or lawn chairs. We are asking all gardeners and farmers to also bring a veggie to create the Island’s largest salad bar. At 6 pm, Russell Rolffs will share about the […]

Lasagna Gardening…demystified.

Posted on by Alessandra

This article first appeared in the Washington Island Observer. By Steve Waldron Russell and Alessandra Rolffs gave a demonstration on how to create a lasagna garden at the Gathering Ground vineyard. Lasagna, the food, consists of many layers. Lasagna gardening consists of many layers of composting materials to conquer a weedy patch and to provide […]

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Get Involved

We are looking for volunteers.

Many hands make light work. The vineyard is calling all gardeners, pruners, outdoor lovers, birders, anyone who enjoys working outside to help tend the vineyard. You will learn how to take care of grapevines and see a lot of beauty and have a lot of fun while doing it.

Volunteer orientations: Every Wednesday at 4 pm and Saturday at 9 am. Reserve your spot by emailing hello (at) gatheringgroundwi (dot) org. If you’d like to volunteer but can’t make Wednesdays or Saturdays let us know and we will find another time.

Sign up here for the Gathering Ground newsletter to stay in the know about volunteer opportunities.

Completed: Pruning in the vineyard with Tim Lyons

Tim will teach you how to prune grapevines. No experience necessary. If you have your own gloves and bypass pruners that’s great. If not, there are extra available at Gathering Ground. Stop by the vineyard or email us at hello (at) gatheringgroundwi (dot) org for more information.

More volunteer opportunities are coming. Check back soon or sign up for our occasional newsletter to be informed.
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