The Clarkston Farm and Garden Club’s annual Greens Market is back for its 30th year, even if it’s in a little bit different form.
“COVID has changed all of our lives,” said Diane Putvin, who was elected club president in May. “We needed to change, too.”
Starting this week, an online site at clarkston-farm-garden-club.square.site takes orders for wreaths, roping, and grave blankets, along with a variety of hand-crafted gifts.
The Michigan-made fresh greens can be ordered and paid for through Nov. 9 and available for curbside pickup at Calvary Lutheran Church on Saturday, Nov. 21. The hand-crafted gifts are for sale through Dec. 5 (or as long as supplies last) and will be delivered porch side to residents in zip codes 48346, 48348 and 48350.
Masked up and hand-washed, club members have been working since the spring to be able to offer this improvised Greens Market.
Because the summer Garden Walk had to be canceled, members knew the winter fundraiser needed to be held, if not tweaked, to generate funds for its ongoing projects.
The club, started in 1948, supports education, conservation and beautification. A few of the many projects the club sponsors are planting and maintaining 26 planters on Main Street, planting and maintaining the Clarkston Independence District Library gardens, financing and supporting teachers in their implementation of environmental science and plant-based learning projects in their classes, providing scholarships to high school students who have an interest in conservation, and “March Into Reading” and “Mammal Scramble” to second and fourth grade students districtwide.
Recognized as a Section 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the club has a long-standing history of civic service.
“Although the club was prevented from holding our usual fundraising activities in 2020, we are committed to continuing our projects through 2021,” said Putvin said.
“With the community’s support for this project, or even simple donations, we can make that happen.”

— Sue Sajdak