Bergmann Center for the developmentally disabled provides learning employment and life skills for sixty clients. Members of the Charlevoix Area Garden Club have been greeting and gardening with the clients since 1994. In 2001, a fenced raised-bed garden was designed by Site Planning Development, Inc. and built with community and CAGC funds.

Entering the garden through the gate and under the porcelain berry-entwined arbor, you step on wheel chair friendly pavers. Eight raised four foot square beds planted with vegetables, herbs and flowers greet the eye. Wheel chair accessible frames hold “Earth Boxes” exploding with more vegetables. Tubs of cherry tomatoes and pots of annuals and geraniums dot the sides of garden area. Fish swim in a whisky barrel pond while comical scarecrows keep a protective watch over clients as they plant, weed, water and harvest.

Later in the season, salad, pasta and soup dishes abound with the fresh garden produce. However, the finest vegetables specimens are kept and win prizes at the Emmet-Charlevoix County Fair.

Helping these people grow and learn about gardening is a rewarding and pleasant experience for the seven committee members of the Charlevoix Area Garden club.