Fridays, 1:00-4:00 pm.

Tuesdays, 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Volunteer at the SAP!

We are eager to accommodate group volunteer days for your class, fraternity, sorority, or club (maximum of 10 visitors per group).  Contact [email protected] for more information.

Important information for volunteers:

-Please wear closed toed shoes and long pants

-No dogs or other pets are allowed at the SAP

-There is no wifi available at the SAP, so please plan accordingly

-Watch this training video before your first shift

More info on our website!

GVSU Sustainable Agriculture Project
4539 Luce St.
Jenison, Michigan 49428

All Month

Annual Energy Competition 

Each year the campus residence halls compete to save the most energy! Each building will be competing against their own 3-year average. The building on North and South that has the greatest reduction in energy will be crowned the winner and get a prize for their community. This competition is part of a broader campaign to encourage behavior change in students.

Thursday, October 1st

1-3:00pm 

2026 Mayor's Grand River Clean-up

Join the Grand Rapids 2030 District team as they clean up Plaster Creek near Brookside Elementary on Madison and Alger for the Mayor's Grand River Cleanup! Trash is located along the shores and on the bridge. Boots, long pants, and long-sleeved shirts are recommended.

Pizza & soft drinks after the cleanup!

RSVP here

KROC Center Campus, Grand Rapids, near the soccer fields

Friday, October 2nd

4-6:00 pm

Harvest Party

Please join the Farm Club and the Office of Sustainability Practices as we celebrate this season’s harvest with games, music, and food at the Sustainable Agriculture Project. The food is potluck style, so please bring a dish to share. Use this link to sign up for the dish you'd like to bring. 

Volunteer hours are from 1-4:00 pm, and we will eat and celebrate from 4-6:00 pm.   

GVSU Sustainable Agriculture Project 

4539 Luce St.
Jenison, Michigan 49428

Saturday, October 3-4

All day

Intro to Backpacking: Mainistee River Trail 

Take your first step into backcountry adventure on our Intro to Backpacking Overnight Trip along Michigan's scenic Manistee River Trail. Designed for beginners, this overnight experience will introduce participants to essential backpacking skills, backcountry camping, gear management, and Leave No Trace principles while exploring one of the state's most beautiful trail systems. Register here

Manistee River Trail

Saturday, October 3rd

2:30--6:30pm

Zero Waste Football Game

Grand Valley State University Football vs Wayne State - Wear Laker Blue 

GVSU Football Stadium

Monday, October 5th 

5:00 - 6:30 pm 

Herping on GV Campus 

Come join the Herpetological Society for a guided herping walk through the Valley Campus!

We’ll meet at the KHS outdoor seating area by Starbucks at 5:00 PM, review safe and ethical field‑herping guidelines, and head out to explore at 5:10 PM.

It’s a fun outing - no touching or handling animals required.

KHS outdoor seating area by Starbucks 

Tuesday, October 6th

6:00 - 7:00pm

Weekly Hikes (On-campus)

The Outdoor Adventures invite you to join their weekly hikes every Tuesday on the trails around campus!

Near the Zumberge Pond 

Wednesday, October 7th

10 am - 2:00 pm

GVSU SAP Farm Stand

We invite you to meet and support our students by purchasing produce that they’ve grown at the Sustainable Agriculture Project.

GVSU Allendale Campus Clocktower

Thursday, October 8th, 8:00 am - 2:30 pm 

GVSU Native Gardening 

Join the GVSU Society for Ecological Restoration to prepare a native garden bed on campus! We will be weeding and removing roots in the garden bed on the North side of the library to get ready for spring planting. Tools and gloves will be provided. Drop in any time during the workday and stay for as long as you’d like.

GVSU Marry Idema Library North Side

Saturday, October 10th

2:00am - 4:00pm

Pickling Workshop 

The farm club and SAP will be hosting a pickling workshop as a way to show the GVSU community how to make yummy snacks from produce that they can harvest at the Sustainable Agriculture Project!  

4539 Luce St Jenison, MI 49428 

Monday, October 12th

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Outdoors Mindfulness Mondays

Monday mindfulness: an excuse to slow down. Come join us in the arboretum to meet new people and sit with nature. We will discuss/practice grounding techniques, self-portraits depicting our energy flow, and other healthy coping strategies. Gatherings will be catered to the group's needs each week. RSVP here

Arboretum

October 12-18th

Global Climate Change Week 2026

Global Climate Change Week (GCCW) aims to encourage academic communities – including faculty, students, and professional staff at universities and their local municipalities – to contribute more to ensuring that these needs are met. As part of the week, GVSU will host its 8th Annual Climate Change Education Solutions Summit (CCESS 2026), “Ways of Knowing in Climate Change Education,” on October 14 –15. 

Registration for CCESS2026 is free and is open to everyone on a first-come, first-served basis, with in-person space being limited to 300 participants. Register today to secure your access. You can learn more about the summit here

Russell H. Kirkhof Center

KC 2250

Tuesday, October 13th

6:00 - 7:00 pm 

Weekly Hikes (On-campus)

The Outdoor Adventures invite you to join their weekly hikes every Tuesday on the trails around campus!

Near the Zumberge Pond 

Tuesday, October 13th

7:00 - 8:00 pm 

Greenhouse Tour and Cutting Workshop

Join Plant Club to take a tour of our beautiful Barbara Kindschi Greenhouse on campus. You will also be able to take some cuttings home to add to your own plant collection.

Kindschi Hall of Science

Wednesday, October 14th

10 am - 2:00 pm

GVSU SAP Farm Stand

We invite you to meet and support our students by purchasing produce that they’ve grown at the Sustainable Agriculture Project.

GVSU Allendale Campus Clocktower

Friday, October 16th

12:00 - 4:00pm

Bike Shop Breakdown

Every Friday, release some stress by helping the bike shop breakdown and recycle the inventory of junk bikes. This volunteer opportunity is also a great introduction to basic bike maintenance; learning how to fix it by learning how to take it apart. No experience necessary. Tools provided.

Ravines Center
Bike Maintenance Area

Saturday, October 17th 

2:30 - 6:30 pm

Zero Waste Football Game

Grand Valley State University Football vs. Ferris State - Wear Laker Blue 

GVSU Football Stadium

Monday, October 19th

6:30 - 7:00pm

Outdoors Mindfulness Mondays

Monday mindfulness: an excuse to slow down. Come join us in the arboretum to meet new people and sit with nature. We will discuss/practice grounding techniques, self-portraits depicting our energy flow, and other healthy coping strategies. Gatherings will be catered to the group's needs each week. RSVP here

Arboretum

Wednesday, October 21st 10 am - 2:00 pm

GVSU SAP Farm Stand

We invite you to meet and support our students by purchasing produce that they’ve grown at the Sustainable Agriculture Project.

GVSU Allendale Campus Clocktower

Wednesday, October 21st

7:00 - 9:00pm

Queer The Air 

Join the Rainbow Resource Center for an open mic and spoken word night in honor of National Coming Out Day! 

If you would like to perform at Queer the Air, complete this form !

The Rainbow Resource Center (1161 Kirkhof)

Thursday, October 22nd

6-7:00pm

Unnatural Causes (INT 100/201 Approved) 

Unnatural Causes is a documentary series that explores the effects of social factors on health and health care in the United States. It focuses specifically on race, socioeconomic standing, geography, and gender in its examination of well-being and longevity among Americans, attempting to answer the question, "Is inequality making us sick?". The Unnatural Causes series includes seven short documentaries (one each week) followed by instructor-led discussion and application of concepts among participants.

Kirkhof Center Room 2266

Saturday, October 24th

5:30 - 9:00pm

Mock Mehandi

The South Asian Student Association (SASA) invites you to join the mock mehandi. Inspired by traditional South Asian mehndi ceremonies, the event brings students together for an evening of music, dancing, colorful attire, henna art, food, and community. Mehndi, also known as henna, is a temporary form of body art created from a plant-based paste. Across South Asia, mehndi ceremonies are often held before weddings and other joyful occasions, symbolizing celebration, beauty, love, and good fortune. A Mock Mehndi recreates the festive atmosphere of this tradition in an inclusive campus setting, allowing students of all backgrounds to experience and appreciate South Asian culture.

Kirkhof Center, Grand River Room

October 25th - 27th 

Fall Break 

We hope you take this time to rest, recharge, and enjoy the season. Whether you’re traveling, spending time outdoors, or cozying up at home, remember small sustainable choices like carpooling, reusing, and unplugging can make a big impact.

Wishing you an amazing break!

Friday, October 23rd - 26th

All day

Smokey Mountain National Park - OA Fall Break Trip

Trade the classroom for the trail and spend Fall Break exploring Great Smoky Mountains National Park! Hike scenic mountain ridges, discover hidden waterfalls, camp beneath star-filled skies, and experience the outdoors like never before. This adventure is perfect for students looking to explore an iconic National Park, meet new friends, and escape the stress of campus life. No matter your experience level, you'll build outdoor skills, create lasting memories, and enjoy some of the most breathtaking views in the country. Step out of your comfort zone, disconnect from technology, and reconnect with nature on this epic Smoky Mountains hiking and camping expedition. Register here

Smokey Mountain National Park

Wednesday, October 28th

6-8:00pm

Pumpkin Painting 

Get into the spooky spirit with AOD for a night of pumpkin painting, mocktails, snacks, and all the Halloween treats you can handle!

Whether you're an artist or just in it for the candy, come hang out, get creative, and enjoy a chill night of fall fun. Costumes optional, good vibes guaranteed!

Kirkhof Fusion (Lower Level)

Wednesday, October 28th

10 am - 2:00 pm

GVSU SAP Farm Stand

We invite you to meet and support our students by purchasing produce that they’ve grown at the Sustainable Agriculture Project.

GVSU Allendale Campus Clocktower

Friday, November 6th

9:00 - 11:00 am

Coffee & Climb

Join the climbing center for a morning climbing session and light refreshments!

GVSU Climbing Center

Fieldhouse B170

Saturday, November 7th

1-4:00pm

Zero Waste Football Game

Grand Valley State University Football vs Northern Michigan - Wear Laker Blue

GVSU Football Stadium

Saturday, November 7th

8:00 - 3:30pm

20th Annual West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science (WMRUGS) Conference

Join the 20th Annual West Michigan Regional Undergraduate Science (WMRUGS) Research Conference on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Van Andel Institute (VAI). This dynamic event unites students and faculty for a day of discovery and networking. Students will present their research through poster sessions, connecting with peers, faculty, and research scientists while expanding their professional networks. Attendees can look forward to engaging scientific talks on a range of topics, including biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, chemistry, computer science, engineering, geology, neuroscience, pharmacology, and physics. Additionally, graduate, professional, and medical school recruiters will be present to discuss educational opportunities, and internship and employment recruiters will be available to explore career prospects. Recruiters will be available from 8:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Van Andel Institute (VAI), Grand Rapids