Volunteer students from Hendrix, University of Central Arkansas and Central Baptist College will develop four gardens at the Faulkner County Public Library.
The project, which emerged as the fruit of a brainstorming session at the third annual Sustainable Faulkner County Community Forum, seeks to promote collaboration between the learning institutions of Conway and the engagement of local citizens in promoting sustainability and community development through household gardening.
On Feb. 28, students staked out the beds and began preparing the soil for cultivation. Each institution has a 25 by 25 foot plot that serves as a blank slate.
The three “gardening teams” will cultivate their plots using diverse gardening methods and vegetable variation with the goal of developing a model backyard garden. The project was designed to connect the classroom to the community by providing a “hands-on”learning experience for the students involved while demonstrating the feasibility of producing one’s own food.
The project will also encourage public debate of food related social, environmental, policy and health issues through a series of movies and panel discussions to be held thorough the growing season.
Faculty advisers for the teams include Deborah Wade from the department of Biology at Central Baptist College, Jacques Pollini from the department of Politics and International Relations at Hendrix College, and Cliff Beacham from the department of Sociology at the University of Central Arkansas.
In addition, the students will collaborate to develop and maintain an extra garden plot in partnership with the group Plant a Row for the Hungry, a nation-wide program started in 1995 to encourage gardeners to grow a little extra food to donate to local food banks. All the fresh vegetables produced in this plot will be donated locally.
The public is invited to take a walk through the gardens and to attend any or all events associated with the project. The first garden celebration will be held Sat., April 10.