LANCASTER – USC Lancaster’s Native American Studies Center is offering an opportunity to grow our gardening skills with the launch of the Cultivating Connections Garden Program Series.
“The Cultivating Connections series is designed to be a living classroom where we bridge traditional Indigenous ecological wisdom with modern sustainable gardening,” program organizer Claudia Y. Heinemann-Priest said.
Three sessions scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 21, March 21 and April 18 include gardening presentations about landscape planning and design, cultural wisdom and traditional plantings, and soil science and container gardening. The presentations will be followed by hands-on activities where attendees apply design concepts to small growing spaces.
The February session with Clemson Cooperative Extension Agent Abigail Taylor will focus on the principles of sustainable landscape design and planning.
March’s program will explore the history and practical techniques behind the Three Sisters and Medicine Wheel Gardens.
April’s session will examine best practices for container gardening and soil health.
“We are launching with a three-session pilot program this spring, with plans to expand into a full 10-session year-round curriculum,” Heinemann-Priest said. “Our goal is to invite students and the community to the center and our campus gardens to not only learn practical horticulture, but to honor the deep cultural history behind the plants we grow.”
Tools and materials will be provided for all activities, but participants are welcome to bring their own small hand tools, such as gloves, trowels and clippers.
The series is free and open to the public. Registration is strongly encouraged. Email usclnasp@mailbox.sc.edu or call 803-313-7172 to sign up.
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