The idea of having a community vegetable garden took root during fall semester 2009 when ENST 480 students (Megan Cronin, Teddi Hofmann, Maria Kryachko, and Kate Pavelich) completed a feasibility
report as their class project. The report outlined the costs and benefits and addressed many logistical challenges of starting a community vegetable garden at Colgate.
Soon after, the ENST 480 team presented to and gained support from the university's
Sustainability Council.
As the idea began to take shape, many individuals and several student groups rallied to the cause. The
Green Thumbs student club, in particular, led the charge. Club leaders Emily Sabo '11 and Halley Parry '11, with advisor Chris Henke, became active promoters of the garden. Sustainability Coordinator John Pumilio, who co-taught the ENST 480 program, was also instrumental in getting the garden approved.
A 2010
Green Summit student group (Maria Kryachko, Emily Sabo, Rob Jeffrey, Claire Burgett, and Allison Gramolini) helped carry the torch by dedicating their effort to the garden. Over the course of the semester, this group, along with help from many others worked to resolve siting and funding issues associated with getting the garden approved. The final site for the garden was approved in early May 2010 on a beautiful half-acre plot adjacent to the university's Newell Apartments.
Funding for the garden came from the Class Gift of 2010, with nearly a 95 percent participation rate among members of the class! With all this in place, two student interns (Stacey Marion and Rob Jeffrey) were hired to start the garden this summer. They in turn hired a consultant (Stacey Nagle) to assist them with this process.
On June 2, 2010, ground was broken and Colgate's Community Vegetable Garden became reality. Provost, Lyle Roelofs, lends a helping hand!
The garden is now up and running, and we are selling our vegetables and herbs to dining services to be consumed on campus by Colgate students. We are proud that Colgate's Community Garden was researched by students, funded by students, and planted, harvested, and consumed by students.
We look forward to the challenges and rewards the garden will provide our community in future years.
Click here to read our blog and follow the progress of the garden.