Thirty Years in the Dirt

Thirty years ago, a handful of U students dug a garden into campus. It’s still growing—and feeding the U. The Edible Campus Gardens, launched in 1996, marks its 30th anniversary this year. It is a place to grow food, belonging, and knowledge: here, students can engage in classes, research, and hands-on experience. “The gardens have always been about more than just food,” says Gabrielle James BS’21, who oversees the program. “They’re about giving students a place to learn, connect, and understand where their food comes from. We’re cultivating experiential learning, community resilience, environmental stewardship, and well-being.”

The gardens also help feed a hungry campus. Each year, they nurture a harvest that supports both people and the planet. The program works with the U’s Feed U Pantry to put that fresh food within reach of students and other community members facing food insecurity. Last year’s harvest was 1,500 pounds; a recent redesign is expected to double the yield without adding a square foot—and student employees who tend the plots teach their peers and volunteers how to grow and reap.

Anyone can dig in. The program welcomes 1,500 participants throughout the year, and everyone is invited to join. Students, staff, faculty, and the wider community attended the 30th anniversary celebration on October 8.