Campus garden yields record harvest
September 12, 2016
Written by Marisa LaBello | Photos by Craig Schreiner
Campus garden manager Erica Otto holds strawberries picked on Wednesday, June 1, 2016. The UW-Whitewater campus garden is producing produce and herbs to be donated to the Whitewater Food Pantry.
From tomato plants and fruit trees to peppers and okra, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater has hauled a record-breaking weight in produce donations to the Whitewater Food Pantry, all grown in the campus garden. To celebrate this milestone, UW-Whitewater Sustainability is holding an open house on Thursday, Sept. 15.
The free event is from 3 to 5 p.m. at the campus garden located between the Moraine Bookstore and Ambrose Health Center on Starin Road. Games and prizes, including gift certificates from local Whitewater businesses, will be up for grabs. Fresh produce will be offered to all who attend to recognize the work of students, partnerships and volunteers who made the accomplishment possible. Their efforts carry out the garden’s purpose to supply food to the pantry, which feeds an average of 100 families per month.
Campus garden manager Erica Otto, left, and volunteer Mike Schwabe, a master gardener from Elkhorn, Wisconsin, work in the garden on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
Founded three years ago, the campus garden has made monumental progress. The same space that accumulated just over 500 pounds in the 2014 season has doubled its weight this fall with more than 1,300 pounds of all organic, pesticide-free produce.
“It’s awesome to see the development, and we can’t wait to host the celebration to recognize our volunteers,” said senior marketing major Ashley Flor, who coordinates sustainability marketing efforts. “We couldn’t have done it without them.”
Produce is harvested every Tuesday. Wes Enterline, UW-Whitewater Sustainability Coordinator, went from being the only person collecting each week during the first season to having multiple hands picking produce from the vines. He is ecstatic to have more volunteers each year see the impact they make working together. Volunteers do not need any experience and hours in the garden count towards service requirements.
Afternoon light falls on young plants to be planted.
“It’s a lot of work, but the more people, the better,” said Enterline. “You meet new friends and the amount of donations after a long day feels great.”
Enterline gives credit to the partnership with the Whitewater City Market established last summer. Donations from the market create community unity and excitement to reach goals.
“Vendors donate their own product at the market and patron donations have definitely increased this year,” said Enterline. “It’s great to see the campus garden become the centerpiece of our program, be inspiration for donations and bring the community together.”
When available, the campus garden also provides UW-W Dining Services with fresh produce for featured meals. Some produce, such as herbs, are cheaper when grown rather than purchased from vendors and are higher quality.
UW-Whitewater Sustainability's Ashley Flor, left, and Wes Enterline, right.
The campus garden continues to add varieties of produce as volunteer participation increases. The wide range and growth of common and uncommon plants creates student employment and internships with UW-Whitewater Sustainability. Students have the opportunity to give back to the community as they learn, interact and build work experience.