The Pacer

Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Campus News

Media Credit: Stacie Simmons Students in UT Martin's soil and water conservation class work on the creation of a community garden to grow fruits and vegtables for We Care Ministries' food bank. The future of the garden is dependent on volunteers from the community and class.

Studying dirt is getting a seedy reputation, but not because soil science students are underpaid, overworked or taunted for studying the deceptively simple organic matter that makes civilization possible.

Instead, a UT Martin class is making it their mission to fight poverty on the university's farm.

This fall's soil and water conservation class, along with professors Paula Gale and Wesley Totten, began construction Friday on a community garden, the fruit-and vegetables-of which will be donated to We Care Ministries' food bank.

"We heard that there was a need for fresh vegetables at local food banks and we thought this would be a good project to work on," Gale said.

Beth Hagewood, a senior soil and water conservation major, said she was in charge of the funding for the project.

Hagewood and her classmates are funding the project from donations and a $500 community service grant from the UTM chapter of the American Democracy Project.

"I think the biggest thing is that not only is this your class grade and class project, but I'm also getting to step out and help in the community," Hagewood said. "The class voted that they wanted to do it and they thought it would be a great opportunity."

Gale is pleased with the students' participation.

"I've been totally impressed with the way the students in the class have jumped in and taken over the project," Gale said. "They have been inspirational in the process."

Gale intends to rely on volunteers from the community, local businesses and future classes to fund, manage and harvest the garden each year.

"Every time the course is taught in the fall I've always tried to have some kind of service project with it," Gale said. "If you plant a buffer strip you plant it once, but the garden is going to be self-perpetuating and we're going to be hopefully having other classes working on this as well."

The students will grow tomatoes, watermelons, cucumbers, green beans and corn in their 1,000-square-foot garden, made up of four irrigated, raised beds.
Gale said the contents of the garden may change as the project evolves.

Those interested in volunteering or donating to the project should contact the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at 881-7250.

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