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The GVSU Community Garden was started during the 2008 summer when a group of students, faculty and staff found common ground in their desire to make the GVSU campus more sustainable. The idea of a community garden where people would learn how to produce their own food, become educated about organic farming practices and build solidarity with one another was implemented as a means to achieve this goal. With a successful first year under our belt the Garden is rapidly expanding.
The mission of the GVSU Community Garden is “to provide a forum for education, discussion, and practice of the environmental, social, and economic aspects of food systems; focusing on the importance of consuming local and organic foods.”
To achieve this mission we have set a few crucial goals for this season:
• Provide Garden plot owners with the tools and other resources necessary to become successful gardeners.
• Build a sustainable fence to enclose the Garden and protect our fruit, flowers and produce from pests.
• Host educational events and activities for Garden plot owners and community members to attend.
• Hire an intern to maintain the Community Garden.
What is our vision for the future?
By providing students, faculty, and staff with a space to connect we hope to promote experiential learning through growing food and building relationships. In the future, the garden will provide a venue for individuals, groups, and organizations to engage issues of sustainability, foster an attitude of environmental stewardship, and establish strong connections throughout the community. "Having a garden is a step toward a more ecologically durable and socially just society with tangible personal rewards," -Wisdom for a Livable Planet. |
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