Celebrate Earth Day and Kick Off the Growing Season at Copeland Garden

Attend the event to sign up to rent a plot. You'll also be able to tour the garden and meet the community garden committee. RSVP HERE for to reserve your spot for the children’s gardening activity.

Colby, KS — (Tuesday, April 22, 2025) The Thomas County Coalition, in partnership with LiveWell Northwest Kansas, invites the public to celebrate Earth Day and the start of a new growing season at Copeland Garden on Tuesday, April 22, from 5 to 7 p.m. The garden is located at the corner of 2nd Street and Copeland Avenue in Colby.

This free community event will offer a chance to tour the garden, sign up to rent plots at just $10 per year, and enjoy hands-on activities for all ages. Twenty plots are currently available, including two raised beds designed to be accessible for gardeners with disabilities. Garden Coordinator Robin Whelchel will be on site to welcome attendees and talk about what’s in store for the 2025 season.

One of the event’s highlights will be a children’s soil-themed garden project led by Whelchel, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Space is limited to 15 participants, and advance registration is required. Kids will create their own mini “garden plot” using strawberry containers while learning about the Healthy Patch Formula—a method for improving soil health by nurturing beneficial microbes, just like probiotics for the human gut.

“Healthy vegetables start with healthy soil,” said Maureen Ostmeyer, founding garden member and SmartStart Director at LiveWell. “The more we nurture the biology of the soil, the better the food we grow—not just in taste, but in nutrition.”

With dirt under her nails and a laugh that could brighten any day, former Garden Coordinator Nichole Olsen brought joy to even the longest of garden clean-up days. This moment was captured during a 2022 work day at Copeland Garden—a reminder of the joy she brought to every growing season.

Registration for kids to participate in the soil-themed garden project is required. Go online to RSVP” https://www.livewellnwk.org/events/earth-day-kick-off-event-at-copeland-garden

Whelchel invites everyone to attend the kick-off event and looks forward to giving tours and talking about the community garden. And, she said there’s no need to RSVP in advance if you don’t want to do the mini garden plot project.

Whelchel explained this is her second year as Copeland Garden Coordinator. But, Whelchel has been a gardener and active within the group since it’s inception.

“I’ve been a volunteer and a gardener for the group for many years,” she said. “And, one thing that remains true after all this time is that the community garden is about so much more than just growing food. We’re helping people reconnect with nature, with their neighbors, and with the joy of creating something together.”

Welchel added that the garden owes much of its success to early groundwork by Nolan Hull and Maureen Ostmeyer, both founding members of the garden and current Thomas County board members of the Western Prairie Food, Farm & Community Alliance (WPFFCA). Their leadership and labor—combined with WPFFCA’s establishment—helped unlock funding and resources that made the garden possible.

During a 2022 garden clean-up day, Nolan Hull (foreground) discusses plans for the upcoming season with fellow longtime supporters Maureen Ostmeyer and Christina Beringer. As a founding member, Nolan’s hands-on work and unwavering dedication have been vital to Copeland Garden’s success. Maureen and Christina have also contributed years of leadership and vision to help the garden grow—season after season. Photo Credit: Amanda Richards at Bow Creek Photography

“This garden wouldn’t exist without Nolan,” said Sue Evans, former Director of LiveWell Northwest Kansas. “From building raised beds to laying the groundwork—literally—he put in an incredible amount of effort to make the dream of a community garden real for Colby. His dedication laid the foundation for everything that’s growing today.”

The roots of Copeland Garden trace back to Evans’ leadership when LiveWell was known as the Northwest Kansas Council on Substance Abuse (NKCSA). Under her direction, NKCSA not only planted the seeds for a community garden, but also spearheaded the development of walking trails in Colby and Poolside Park. In 2018, the organization rebranded as LiveWell Northwest Kansas to better reflect its health-focused mission.

Today, as a Thomas County Coalition program, Copeland Garden operates under the direct guidance of Whelchel and a volunteer committee. Overseeing it all, Director Travis Rickford, Maureen Ostmeyer, and Thomas County Coalition Coordinator Christina Beringer provide leadership and direction through LiveWell Northwest Kansas.

Initially located at the K-State Research & Extension Office and later at Southwind Plaza (better known locally as the “Red Roofs”), the garden found a permanent home thanks to a collaboration with the City of Colby. Then-City Manager Tyson McGreer offered a vacant city-owned lot near Copeland Park, and with the help of city staff like Kyle Lindberg—as well as inspiration from garden models in Manhattan, Denver, and Omaha—Copeland Garden came to life.

“The garden exists today because of collaboration, vision, and a whole lot of sweat equity,” said Beringer. “It’s a powerful example of what our community can do when we work together.”

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or simply curious, the Earth Day event is the perfect time to get involved, explore the space, and celebrate another year of growth.”