UH Plant Operations unveiled a new produce garden on Thursday, where students will be able to have a hand in growing the food they eat on campus.
The 1500-square-foot garden is the fruit of a cooperative effort between the Student Government Association, University Services and the Campus Sustainability Task Force.
‘This is a living learning laboratory for our students,’ Assistant Vice President for University Services Emily Messa said. ‘This will give students a chance to know where their food is coming from, rather than think it is coming from Wal-Mart.’
The garden, located in Lynn Eusan Park, outside of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, is growing over 10 varieties of vegetables and herbs.
The UH dining staff will use the produce, which includes corn, okra, carrots, pimento peppers, garden beans, sugar beets and bell peppers, as fresh ingredients in the cafeterias. The vegetables need about three months to reach full harvest.
UH planned the planting patch after consulting with different institutions around the country with similar gardens.’ When UH found out Rice already had one, the plan to build began, said Alex Alexander, director of Custodial and Grounds .
‘We talked to the folks in the food service operations and it seems like a good idea,’ he said. ‘We found out Rice had one and we said, ‘My goodness, if they have one, we need to have one.’ And we are going to make sure ours (will be) bigger than (Rice’s garden).’
Everyone at the unveiling seemed excited to help sow the patch’s first seeds, including chef Brent Gorman of UH Dining Services.
‘Other chefs are going to be envious of us,’ Gorman said. ‘Not everyone gets to work with things that they know where they come from.’
Gorman said he will work at the garden everyday.
‘They’ll have to keep me away,’ he said.
Alexander said the University plans to keep the garden for many years. Plans to expand will progress once the garden has been fully harvested.
‘This is an experiment,’ Alexander said. ‘This is something that we are learning (about) as we go.’
Alexander said UH groundskeepers will watch over the garden and assume the primary responsibilities for its upkeep, but he wants students to help out as well.
‘This is something that causes the students to have ownership in the campus and the University,’ he said. ‘We want the students to get involved (when) they have time because this is for them.’
Students are welcome to help tend to the garden on Thursdays. For more information on the garden or on how you can help, visit www.uh.edu/recyclemania.
