Ohio:University Group Plants Community Garden

U. group will plant community garden

By Nicole Delisio, Bowling Green State University News
Reporter

April 13, 2004

Hoping to plant seeds of unity on campus, members of the Environmental Action Group will break ground for a community garden by the end of the month. The garden will be located near Lot 12 next to the Perry Field House. This site was chosen because it has good visibility and provides room to grow.

The garden will consist of vegetables, flowers and herbs. While design plans have not been finalized, raised flower beds, a fence and a climbing wall for vines are ideas that are being considered.

Food production will be important for the Campus Community Garden. Plans for the garden consists of two rows of every vegetable available at grocery stores. Although plans are not finalized, the group is considering donating the food to a local venue such as Squeakers.

For Jack Glass, a community volunteer for the project, food production will be the main focus of the garden.

"It's definitely a vegetable garden," Glass said. "First and foremost we want to grow some food."

Although gardens are often used for food production, the natural resources they contain, the opportunity to mix environmental strategies organic recycling and rainwater collection are other key aspects. These gardens also increase habitat space for wildlife and insulate buildings during warm and cold months.

According to Dena Swaney, co-president of the EAG, the idea for the community garden originated during a visit to New York.

"I became introduced to the idea by vising South Bronx, NY, and visiting a community garden there," she said. "I guess gardening in general is a really positive way to bring people together and help people have an awareness about organizational gardening."

Togetherness is not the only thing a community garden can accomplish. According to the American Community Gardening Association, these gardens also bring neighborhood development, beautification, recreation and therapy.

According to Jaclyn Mercede, co-president of the EAG, the Campus Community Garden will raise awareness about food and resources.

"It will teach people about every day things they eat, and also about natural resources and how to utilize them," she said.

Glass also envisions the community garden raising awareness about natural resources. He said he thinks the garden will make people more aware of the environment.

"I hope the garden will lend more mindfulness to our immediate environment, making people think twice about throwing their banana peal away," Glass said.

Editor's Note: Anyone interested in working on the Campus Community Garden should attend EAG's next meeting on Sunday in room 222 of the Union at 7:30 p.m.  

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