A new student-led medicinal garden is taking root at the Menominee Indian School District.
Thanks to a recently awarded grant, students will soon grow traditional plants used for teas, balms, and more. Teacher Christine Fossen-Rades says the idea started during a class tea-making session using community-shared herbs.
“One student said, ‘It would be nice if we had our own plants,’ and it just snowballed from there,” she explained.
The class quickly found a grant opportunity that matched their vision perfectly. Now, students are leading the garden’s design and purpose. “They picked the plants, researched their uses, and worked with local ethnobotanists,” Fossen-Rades said. “It’s truly student-led.”
The garden will include native and culturally significant plants like cedar, sage, bergamot, echinacea, and tobacco. Even though the space is just 0.1 acre, it’s rich in meaning. Students will prepare the site, plant, and later harvest and process the herbs.
“This is about more than gardening,” Fossen-Rades said. “It’s about tradition, science, and community working together.”
Materials made from the plants—like teas, bundles, and balms—will be shared within the school and community. Some will be added to monthly “elder boxes” to support Menominee seniors.
“This honors our traditions, promotes sustainability, and strengthens ties between generations,” Fossen-Rades explained.
Local ethnobotanists and Elders are helping students understand how to honor plant knowledge and care for it properly. Fossen-Rades says this is just the beginning. “Our goal follows the seven generations philosophy—what we plant today will serve many to come.”
What excites her most is watching students take pride in something meaningful. “This project empowers them. It connects people, plants, and the land,” she said. “It’s a beautiful thing.”
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