Free Farmers Market

Free fresh organic produce (fruits, vegetables, and herbs) will be distributed at the garden on Saturdays from 10-11 a.m., June through August. Recipes for in-season produce will be available.

Many thanks to the Junior League of Springfield and students of SIU School of Medicine for volunteering their time to staff our Free Farmers Market!

Food Tasting

We often have a food tasting at our Free Farmers Market on Saturdays from 10-11, June through August, with recipes made from freshly-harvested garden produce.

Many thanks to student volunteers of SIU School of Medicine for their fine culinary skills!

Eat a Rainbow

Join us for our free ecology-based programming for kids! This 6-week series takes place on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Classes are first-come, first-served, with a cap of 15 attendees. The program is free, with registration information taken on site.

June 14 & 15 – Kids Chef/Kids Create

June 21 & 22 – What’s That Smell?

June 28 & 29 – Friendship Bread

July 5 & 6 – Let’s Have Some Fungi!

July 12 & 13 – We Got the Beet!

July 19 & 20 – All About Soil

Many thanks to Dr. John Flack of SIU School of Medicine for sponsoring this program!

Tomato Festival

August 5, 2023 at 10 a.m. – One of the best things about an Illinois summer in the garden is the amazing tomatoes. At EPNG we grow a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and varieties of tomatoes, and we’d like to share them with you! Our Tomato Festival will feature taste samples, seed saving demonstrations, and more. FREE.

Summer Jamboree

September 9, time TBD. Join us for a relaxing evening of free food and entertainment in the garden. More details TBA.