Green Initiatives, Here We Come

A few weeks ago, we submitted grant proposals to The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF), a fund that uses student fees to support sustainability initiatives throughout the District. Here's what got funded for the Learning Garden:

Hoop house growing - this project allows us to grow in the existing unheated hoop house through the winter!
Greenhouse hydroponics - we get to experiment with growing veggies in water, instead of soil.
Grape and raspberry patch - who doesn't love fresh fruit? We're adding a patch out in the Learning Garden
Bees, and more bees - Time for good pollinators, and honey
Mobile farm stand - After a successful pilot of this initiative, we will continue to sell produce at our farm stand this coming spring
Welcome kiosk - An informative and educational display board that provides the community with up to date activities, information, and even extra fresh food give aways

Looking for one more class to fill out your schedule? Check out HE264: Food, Health and the Environment (Mon, Wed 10-11:20)
This course will examine how food systems influence human and environmental health. Students will explore the connections between sustainable agriculture concepts/practices, food systems, and personal and environmental health.

And, as part of the class, students will get to work on fun projects in the Learning Garden.

In the Numbers

This year, Flowergrams raised $560, and the pilot Farm Stand raised $437. These funds help the Learning Garden educate and engage more students. Thank you to all who have contributed.

Name the Farm Stand

"Farm Stand" is just a little too boring for how great it's going to be. Help us name the mobile farm stand by sending your creative ideas to me (lindsey.macdonald@pcc.edu).

Meet Another Rockin Gardener

My name is Jeffery Lee Jarvis and I am another Learning Garden Assistant work study student at the PCC Rock Creek Campus. I applied for this position to simply care for the land and serve the people in my community and to learn about and teach sustainability practices within organic gardening to preserve, nurture, and maintain agricultural biodiversity. While studying in the Northern Alps of Italy in 2011 I worked on a farm surrounding the Castle of Schloss Brunnenburg. Life on the farm consisted of weeding, tool maintenance, chopping wood, irrigation support, feeding farm animals, planting vegetables, and harvesting food. Working in the vegetable gardens and vineyards was among my favorite activities, a time when I would feel most at peace. My goals are to become a Forester and to learn and practice Ethnobotany and Hydrology. I really enjoy throwing clay on a wheel, practicing Hot Yoga, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Until next time,
Grow On,
Lindsey and Crew