Spring 2025 Programming
April 22, 2025
Vegetable Gardening for Everyone
4:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Grand Forks UND Memorial Union
Join us for an engaging, workshop on vegetable gardening, designed for everyone—whether you have a backyard, a balcony, or just a sunny windowsill! Learn from Grand Forks Park District’s horticulturist, Katy Cavanaugh, as she shares expert tips and techniques to help both beginners and experienced gardeners grow fresh, delicious vegetables in any space.
This interactive session will cover key topics such as soil health, container gardening, raised beds, and sustainable practices like composting and no-till gardening. A Q&A session will follow, allowing you to ask questions specific to your gardening goals.
Cost: FREE - Open to all community members
Instructor: Katy Cavanaugh
Katy Cavanaugh, the Horticulturist for the Grand Forks Park District, manages the community gardens on North Washington. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, she is passionate about sustainable gardening techniques, including composting, no-till practices, and prairie restoration. Katy is dedicated to helping others connect with nature and grow their own food, no matter their space or skill level.
May 14, 2025
Landscape Design for Year-Round Beauty and Sustainability
12:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Memorial Union Ballroom D and walking tour
Participants will learn from UND’s top arborist and horticulturist about the best ways to plan and sustain a beautiful garden for the ages. This workshop includes practice conceptualizing your garden as an ecosystem and gaining insight into the reasons for why specific annuals and perennials grow best in various soil and climate conditions. This landscape design for the ages workshop will include a walking tour highlighting some of UND’s special landscaping beds and rare trees.
Cost: $25 - Taco Bar lunch provided
Instructor/Facilitators: UND Arborist, Jared Johnson and UND Horticulturist, Melissa Grafenauer
Melissa Grafenauer has over 20 years of experience as a landscape specialist and has been beautifying UND’s campus for the past six years. Melissa’s specialty is landscape design and annual flower beds for campus projects and beyond. When she is not making the world a more beautiful place, Melissa enjoys time with family, sports and keeping up with her three dogs, granddaughter and three sons.
Jared Johnson holds a degree in horticulture from Salina Area Technical School and a Bachelor's in Horticulture / Greenhouse Management from Kansas State University. He became an ISA Certified Arborist in 2013 while working for the Grand Forks Park District. In 2019, Jared began his career as an Arborist at UND as the first official Campus Arborist. Jared has been tireless in his efforts to diversify the tree species on campus along with removing hazardous trees to keep campus safe for all.