So much news from MSU Tollgate Farm this month!


MSU Tollgate Farm July 2018


 
Tollgate Events & Announcements
This Saturday, July 21
4pm - 7pm
*Free Admission*
 
The Tollgate Open House:
Sunset Garden Celebration
 
This is a great way to enjoy a summer evening, strolling around the beautiful MSU Tollgate Gardens and enjoying:
  • Musical entertainment
  • Garden tours
  • Educational talks
  • Hayrides
  • Vendors
  • Beautiful photogenic gardens, and
  • A picnic!
Visitors are invited to bring their own picnic dinners to enjoy on site.
Complimentary cold beverages and dessert snacks available.
Tollgate volunteer guides will answer your gardening questions!

Please: no pets, no alcohol. Thank you.
Novi Community Coalition
&  
MSU Tollgate Farm presents...
 
Life is Your Playbook:  
FREE Day Camp
with Greg Jones 
 
Saturday, August 11, 2018
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Grades 4th & up


Greg Jones is a former NFL linebacker for the New York Giants and a Super Bowl champion. He was the first Michigan State University Spartan to earn back-to-back consensus first-team. Greg imparts knowledge and skills needed to today's youth using several different "life plays" and interactive activities for youth through his program.

MSU TOLLGATE FARM
28115 Meadowbrook Road
Novi, MI 48377

For more information and to register:
https://novicc-lifeisyourplaybook.eventbrite.com
Call NCC at (248) 202-3480 or
Email info@novicc.org
Federal, State, and/or County funding has been provided through the Oakland Community Health Network Office of Substance Use Disorders to support the project costs.
MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center
- Farm to Table Dinner - 
 
August 25, 2018 at 4 p.m. 
 
MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center, Novi, MI
 
Register by August 13
Cost: $150 per person
 
Michigan State University alumni and friends of MSU Tollgate Farm are invited to the first MSU Tollgate Farm to Table Dinner.
Enjoy an evening outdoors on the farm with a scenic view practically unknown in present-day Oakland County.

Proceeds will support MSU Tollgate Farm's educational programming.

The evening will feature:
●    Cocktail hour and hors d'oeuvres
●    Four course dinner prepared by four local chefs
●    Food & drinks sourced from Tollgate Farm and locally
●    Wagon ride tour of farm property
●     Taste the Local Difference - Certified Local Food Event

Contact for Questions:
248-347-3860 ext. 235

More information and registration:
myalumni.msu.edu/tollgate
New Class Added
to  
Evenings in the Garden Lineup 

On Thursday, August 30, from 6:30-8:30 pm, the distinguished Fulbright Scholar Dr. John Hartig will present
Waterfront Porch: How Detroit is Transforming its Industrial Waterfront to a Gathering Place for People and Wildlife.

In 2016 he shared with us the extensive environmental changes along the Detroit River - from extreme degradation to a profoundly positive wildlife and human habitat. His new talk continues this Cinderella story of how the Detroit RiverWalk is now a gathering place for all.

Each class is $20, and supports further adult education programming at MSU Tollgate.

For more information on this and other summer classes, visit:
https://events.anr.msu.edu/evenings18summer/
MSU Tollgate PumpkinFest:  
Harvest Time Fun & Learning

MSU Tollgate PumpkinFest is a free-admission, family-oriented event open to the public
11 am to 5 pm 
Saturday, October 6th, and Sunday, October 7th.

PumpkinFest attracts visitors of all ages, many who are learning about MSU Tollgate's impact in the community for the first time.
The event increases understanding of the importance of agriculture in our daily lives and includes many interactive elements to engage visitors, including:
  • The MSU Bug House
  • The Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum
  • Living history reenactments
  • Wagon rides to the U-pick pumpkin patch
  • Free music concerts
  • Children's Strawland
  • Farm animals
  • Story time
  • Children's workshops
  • and more
MSU Tollgate Farm's hands-on, place-based educational programming is highlighted at the festival, including our:
  • School field trips
  • Sustainable agriculture learning opportunities
  • Summer camps
  • Gardening workshops
  • Early childhood activities, and
  • MSU Extension outreach
Proceeds from parking, pumpkins, games, and food raise funds for financial aid, increasing the reach of our local educational programs.

Please plan to bring your friends and family and join us for the 2018 MSU Tollgate Pumpkinfest!

http://www.canr.msu.edu/tollgate/events/pumpkinfest
Join the PumpkinFest
Volunteer Team

Planning for our annual MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center PumpkinFest 2018 is well underway, and we would love your help with this year's event.

Because of our many volunteers, Tollgate is able to positively impact adults and children in our community in life-changing ways. You can make a difference by serving at PumpkinFest.

To learn more:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49aba82ba7ff2-pumpkinfest3

 
Tollgate News
Another Starry Night
on the Farm

A kaleidoscope of tents graced the lower barn field on the evening of June 22nd as families gathered at Tollgate to explore together the night sky, the summer solstice, and the importance of the sun and agriculture in our daily lives.

Forty five hardy visitors shared an adventure like none other - an overnight camp out on the farm filled with learning and fun. The sold-out event hosted children ages five to twelve and their parents or grandparents who explored big ideas together and got to know the farm up close and personal.  Wagon rides to explore the farm's fields and maple beech forest were followed by solar system games and a dozen creative hands-on sun and astronomy-related activities.

Before heading out to s'mores over the campfire, the Oakland Astronomy Club joined us for informative and interactive sharing, which included getting to know 3 different types of telescopes and a game show with prizes.

After breakfast and animal chores the next morning, the sun peeked happily from behind a cloud and we capped off the adventure with a walking model of the solar system, where each inch the group traveled represented 100,000 miles!

A Tollgate harbinger of summer, there's nothing quite like a
Starry Night on the Farm.
Tollgate 4-H Club Wins at Oakland County Fair

It was another great year for the Tollgate Farm 4-H members at the Oakland County Fair, July 6 - 15.
All 6 Goat Showmen received a ribbon for Goat Showmanship, including member Aaron Hutka - Reserved Champion Dairy Showman, and Alana Hutka - Champion Dairy Showman. The Sheep Showmen also put in a great performance, with member Miriam Klenke becoming the first member to receive a sheep showmanship ribbon. These kids have worked very hard, and it shows!

Next up - the goats will be headed to the State Fair over Labor Day Weekend!

The good news also continues in the Ellis Barn Exhibit Hall, where non-livestock competitions reside. Here the kids can submit projects ranging from Aerospace to Crafts, from Creative Writing to Plant Science, and beyond. The judges are still working on results. However, Tollgate 4H Club members already received ribbons & trophies in Plant Science for largest vegetables, herbs, and patio blueberries. Creative Writing earned ribbons for our members too, as did Woodworking and more. A western-themed table setting received The Maureen Scramlin Award.

Congratulations to all the participants and the winners!

Sound Like Fun?
Tollgate Farm 4-H Club remains open to new members ages 5 - 19.
Adult 4-H Volunteers Welcome - No Kid Required!

This month's 4-H Newsletter
is here!

Oakland County 4-H Connections is a monthly newsletter for 4-H members, families, and the general community with news and information about 4-H Youth Development activities in Oakland County.

Oakland County 4-H Connections July newsletter

 
Tollgate Opportunities
Tollgate Volunteer Opportunities

There are many fun and friendly opportunities to contribute to Tollgate!
  • The Tollgate Garden Volunteers maintain the nearly 20 ornamental gardens on The Farm.
  • The Tollgate Maple Syrup crew makes maple syrup every year, and does all the preparation and maintenance for sap collecting.
  • The Tollgate Educational Programming staff seek volunteers throughout the calendar year for school and community field trips at The Farm.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
 - Margaret Mead

For educational programming email: tollgateprograms@anr.msu.edu

For all other opportunities, visit:
Rent the Tollgate Conference Center

The MSU Tollgate Conference Center, historic barn, and Americana boardroom are available for your next business meeting, bridal or baby shower, or private luncheon. Our event catering staff are available to meet all of your needs.
To learn more about hosting your event at Tollgate, please visit:
MSU Tollgate Conference Center

 
MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center offers programs throughout the year designed to allow adults and children to experience learning hands-on, explore the joys of gardening and the natural world, appreciate and promote locally grown food, and build community. 
MSU Tollgate Farm and Education Center
28115 Meadowbrook Rd.
Novi, MI 48377
248-347-0269
tollgateprograms@anr.msu.edu
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Programs and materials are open to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, height, weight, disability,political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital, family or veteran status.
STAY CONNECTED with TOLLGATE: