See A Peek Behind the Petals (below), a blog posting on our Website done by our Treasurer in November 2025. It tells the story of how we operate, some history, and how our volunteers make the gardens possible and successful.
Can you find some time to become part of our informal community of garden volunteers?
A Peek Behind the Petals
By our Treasurer, Kristen Robinson
Visitors often see the beauty of the Marshall Native Gardens. The blooming milkweed, the busy bees, the pathways kept tidy by caring hands. What people do not always see is the small but mighty team working quietly to keep everything running. Today, we wanted to give you a little peek behind the scenes at how our garden community makes the magic happen. The heart of our work is collaboration. Every week, volunteers step into the gardens with gloves, clippers, water bottles, and a whole lot of enthusiasm. They pull weeds that seem to grow faster than we can blink. They plant new native species to support pollinators. They greet visitors who wander through and often leave with a smile and a story to share. Behind the scenes, board members are tending to another kind of garden. They prepare budgets, organize events, and meet to ensure that every decision supports our mission. You might not see the late nights spent reviewing grant opportunities or creating clear procedures that help us stay strong as a nonprofit. Yet these quiet acts of care allow the gardens outside to thrive. Recently, our board worked together not only to update our internal procedures but also to put on an amazing fundraising event that celebrated everything the gardens stand for. This special gathering introduced our 2025 Fundraising Campaign, which is focused on creating long-term stability for the gardens and the educational programs that depend on them. In past years, we relied mainly on plant sales and community festivals. Although those events filled the gardens with joy, they could no longer keep up with the needs of an expanding mission. The fundraiser brought our community together in a wonderful way. Supporters learned about our goals for the coming year, the importance of building a foundation of committed patrons, and the opportunities for local businesses to become corporate partners. The response was heartfelt and encouraging. Neighbors, volunteers, and garden friends stepped forward with generosity and genuine excitement for the future. Their support helps us protect our resources, nurture our educational work, and keep the gardens vibrant for everyone to enjoy. Every plant in the gardens tells a story of time, attention, and steady hands. The same is true for the people who support the Marshall Native Gardens Initiative. Whether someone is planting a seedling, signing a deposit slip, trimming an overgrown shrub, or reviewing meeting notes, each action matters. Thank you to everyone who helps the gardens grow. You are the roots that keep us grounded and the sunshine that keeps us inspired. We hope this little behind-the-scenes look reminds you just how much love and teamwork make our gardens bloom. If you are inspired to join us, feel free to stop by during a volunteer day or reach out to learn more. There is always room for more friends in the garden. |
How to become a volunteer
Option 1 : If you want to check us out prior to signing up as a volunteer, you can come to our Monthly Service Day on the morning of the 3rd Saturday of each month and we will answer your questions and help you get started! Those monthly service and social days start at 9:30am with work in the gardens until about noon. Then, around 12:15pm, we have a fun GARDEN PARTY for all interested in participating! At these garden parties we socialize and enjoy the provided light fingerfood & refreshments. This is always a great way to catch up with and make friends!
Or, just take the plunge and join us by ~
Option 2 : To start volunteering more formally – and get your free MNG Hat – just go to the Marshall public library front desk and ask the librarian for the MNGI notebook and fill out the “Volunteer Survey” and a simple County Background check. You can fill in and return to same forms online and return them via email to us at madison.county.gardens@gmail.com. Or, print them and fill them in at home and return your forms to the library front desk.
We look forward to you joining our close knit informal garden group!!!!
We will soon post the volunteer related online version of forms here for your use…
Description of many MNG Volunteer Opportunities :
There are lots of volunteer roles for you to choose from :
Garden Maintenance & Projects – These volunteers serve by coming to our scheduled work days and school service days. Those volunteers help with garden projects involving planting, watering, helping to manage groups coming to the gardens for tours or service, general garden maintenance — such as mulching, weeding, filling bird feeders, tool and shed maintenance, etc….
If you are just getting started with us, this could be a good volunteer role for you!
We have a number of Volunteer Teams/Committees that perform specific work. These need to be adequately staffed to keep us moving forward smoothly and these teams are as follows:
1. Outreach & Education Team – Marketing, promotional materials, writing articles and creating educational opportunities.
2. Gardens & Grounds Team – Overseeing and coordinating work in each garden and reports recommendations to the leadership team. Also, can serve on a project team to design and construct our garden related projects.
3. Volunteers and Social Team – Finding volunteers for a variety of jobs, developing incentives, rewards and planning volunteer social events.
4. Fundraising and Sales Team – Developing an annual budget and fundraising plan. Plans and operates the Spring and Fall Plant Sales.
5. Garden Champions – We try to have individuals or organization help us to manage and maintain our major themed gardens. Currently the Rotary Club of Madison County serves as the Champion for the Bird garden and we have individual volunteers who have stepped up to Champion our Rain Garden, Entry Garden, and Medicinal Garden. Champions help us to identify maintenance and renovation needs for their assigned garden. We are currently looking for a Champion for our Butterfly, Forest Farm, and Woodland Gardens.
6. Garden Docent & Garden Assistants – Throughout the year groups of adults and children frequently visit the gardens. Volunteers are needed to lead the groups and interpret the plants and their environments. Prior training is provided.
7. MNGI Photographer/s – Garden photos are needed for a variety of educational and outreach materials and events. With 11 gardens throughout four seasons, a number of photographers are helpful.
8. Online Media Coordinator/s – MNGI has a website and a Facebook page which need frequent updating and maintenance. This would be an opportunity for someone with good computer skills.
9. Volunteers Coordinator/s – One or more individuals are needed to coordinate the activities, roles and timeliness of the activities listed above. More than one coordinator would be helpful.
Can you help?
More Opportunities
For those who want to step up in our organization, the following roles are key to making us successful.
NOTE: As a 501c3 non-profit organization, we are need to have officers including a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recorder for minutes, and we also have a Board of Directors. These positions are for those willing and able to step into such organization roles.
Executive Committee: Is our operational team and consensus building team. It consists of organization officers and garden champions plus a number of at large members. This leadership team meets once a month to oversee and approve garden plans and activities, reviews finances and updates organization Strategic Plans and is the makes key decisions for the organization along with the Board of Directors.
Marshall Native Gardens 