Sturgeon Bay, Wis. (March 14, 2022) – On Thursday, March 24, Door County Master Gardeners Association (DCMGA) will feature Frank Kutka presenting the fascinating story of Maxidiwiac, or Buffalo Bird Women, a renowned Hidatsa farmer on the Fort Berthold Reservation in western North Dakota. He will explore her life and work, as well as compare Hidatsa and other approaches to growing crops and saving seeds.
Buffalo Bird Woman was born in 1839. Using traditional farming techniques, she and the women in her family were able to raise huge crops for trade during a period of massive changes for the Hidatsa and other local tribes. Anthropologist Gilbert Wilson captured a record of her thoughts and experiences in “Buffalo Bird Woman’s Garden,” first published in 1917 and reprinted several times. (https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/11810698)
This lecture, presented in collaboration with the Door County Seed Library and Crossroads at Big Creek, will be an in-person event at Crossroad from 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm. Masking and social distancing will be required.
Frank Kutka is a faculty member of the College of Menominee Nation, where he is facilitating the development of a degree program in Sustainable Agriculture and development of the college’s agricultural research program. He is an independent plant breeder who works with maize, beans, squash, cowpeas, sorghum, onions, and rye. Frank also manages the Corn Culture Facebook blog. He lives with his family on a small farm near Brussels, WI.
Additional programs planned for the 2022 DCMGA series, which may be presented either in person or via Zoom, include:
- “Door County Wildflowers – Weeds & Seeds” by local naturalist Charlotte Lukes on April 5
- “Invasive Jumping Worms – The Impact of a New Soil Invader” by Brad Herrick, ecologist and research program manager at the UW-Madison Arboretum on April 26
- “Prairie Plants for Urban and Suburban Gardens” by Neil Diboll, internationally known expert in native plant ecology, on May 3
About Door County Master Gardeners: The Door County Master Gardeners Association (DCMGA) was founded in 1995 to provide horticulture related services to the community. Master Gardener Volunteers maintain The Garden Door, sponsor free educational programs, provide answers to residents’ horticulture questions and provide outreach to youth and not-for-profit organizations throughout the county. For more information, go to http://www.dcmga.org/
About Door County Seed Library: The Door County Seed Library is a collaborative partnership of the Door County Master Gardeners Association, Door County Library, UW-Extension, Wild Ones of Door Peninsula, and The Community’s Garden. The Seed Library has nearly 700 members and is 100% supported by donations, grants, and the dedicated efforts of dozens of member-volunteers. The Door County Master Gardeners Association serves as the fiscal agent for this community program. For more information, go to https://doorcountyseedlibrary.org/
About Crossroads at Big Creek: Crossroads is a non-profit learning center and nature preserve dedicated to inspiring environmental stewardship in learners of all ages and all backgrounds. Crossroads achieves this mission by offering educational programs, conducting research and providing outdoor recreational activities. Its restoration projects are creating high quality habitats for plants and wildlife. Crossroads trails are open 24/7 every day of the year, at no charge thanks to community support. For more information, go to https://crossroadsatbigcreek.org/
ALL CONTENT © 2025 BY DOOR GUIDE PUBLISHING
