Community Garden’s group effort grows produce for local food banks
The UNTHSC Community Garden is a new way that the Health Science Center creates a healthier community.
The community at large has donated more than $3,000 worth of materials including soil, organic fertilizers, plants and compost bins. The garden is committed to donating at least 25 percent of its produce to local food banks.
A group of volunteers – UNTHSC students, faculty, staff and several children of employees – built and is maintaining the garden, which grows organic vegetables. It’s located at 3621 W. Seventh St.
Only organic products and methods are used. This supports the university’s mission and that of the Office of Sustainability within Facilities Management, which has responsibility for the garden. The Sustainability Committee supported the garden’s founding with initial funding of $8,000.
On April 5, Planting Day brought a Tarrant County Master Gardener to advise on planting warm weather crops such as tomatoes and peppers. Click here to see a video on tomato tips.
The effort has drawn the attention of local media. See stories about the garden in 360 West and in Fort Worth Texas.
Future plans. Expansion plans call for building more plots, to fill the tract at 3621 W. Seventh St. Currently open only to UNTHSC students and employees, eventually the garden also will be opened to the public.
Want to help? The garden is accepting donations of cash and materials to support this expansion. More information is available from Sustainability Coordinator Sandy Bauman, sandy.bauman@unthsc.edu, 817-735-2554; or garden coordinator Betsy Friauf, betsy.friauf@unthsc.edu or 817-735-2554.
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