Grow Benzie has a rich history as a community space since 2008. After purchasing the 4-acre property, our non-profit rebuilt the former commercial nursery to include a 3,000 sqft event center, 1,500 sqft commercial kitchen, three 5,000 sqft hoop houses, a kids hoop house and a 3,200 sqft ranch house with offices, sewing studio and grow room. Grow Benzie has hosted a weekly, summertime farmers market since 2009, and added a food truck to our program portfolio in 2016 that features menu items with ingredients from our hoop houses and market vendors. Our event center hosts year-round private and public events, ranging from 10 people to 500 people for a single occasion. The grassy courtyard and rolling landscape encourages visitors to walk around the property, and over the years we’ve added learning stations including a butterfly garden, beehives, mushroom log display, herb and medicine gardens, compost bins, and flower beds. The site also includes a community garden w/27 plots, and ample parking for visitors. Grow Benzie is conveniently located off M-115, 30 minutes west of Traverse City and 30 minutes north of Manistee.
