Creating Community with a SEED

WSU did something new and exciting this past spring by planting a Sustainable, Edible, Education Discovery (SEED) Garden!

 

“The Winona State University SEED Garden is a place where anyone can come and work, relax, or plunge their hands in the dirt.” – The SEED Garden Facebook Page

 

This project was funded through the university’s Green Fee Project. One of the objectives of this project is to teach students how to grow and maintain a garden using sustainable methods.

“In addition to building community, the garden is also intended to support educational initiatives like elementary education students learning how to plant gardens at their own schools to math and statistics students using the garden to study variables on plant growth.” – Brian Waldbilig (For more information, check out Brian’s article about the SEED Garden)

 

 

Some of the first crops that were planted this summer include: lettuce, cabbage, kale, carrots, zucchini, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, fresh herbs, etc. In fact, the SEED garden had their first harvest last week. Last Wednesday, they had a produce distribution on campus where they simply gave away free veggies to students who wanted them. Yum!

 

 

If you are as bummed as I am about missing out on the veggie distribution last week, know that the harvest is ongoing. Lots of tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are coming soon! Be sure to follow the SEED Garden Facebook page for when the next harvest distribution will be.

If you have always wanted to try gardening then this is the perfect opportunity for you to expand your knowledge while also learning a great life skill. The SEED Garden is located at 260 West 8th Street, feel free to go check it out!

Although the WSU Environmental club is heavily involved in caring for the SEED Garden, all students are welcome to get involved and volunteer this year! In fact, here are three ways that you can get involved with the SEED Garden community:

1. LIKE the SEED Garden Facebook page to stay tuned for opportunities to help in the garden as well as planting and harvesting produce.
2. If you have artistic talent or carpentry skills, they are looking for volunteers who want to help build and paint signs, paint murals, and so on for the garden.
3. If you are unable to give much time to helping with this project, you can bring in donations such as seeds, gardening supplies, etc.

If you want to get involved or if you have any questions or comments, you can contact the leader of the project, Jackson Ramsland at Jramsland14@winona.edu.

Gardening can be a great escape from the stress of studying for classes and the business of our schedules. I encourage you to try it out and to be a part of the gardening community at WSU.