About
Produce from the Garden
Produce in the garden is always available to students at no charge. The marker board on the south side of the shed will help you find items that are ready for harvesting. If you'd like assistance picking produce, come during open garden hours. For record keeping and grantwriting purposes, please use the QR code posted in the garden to log the produce you take. Also, please respect signage identifying crops being used for class or research purposes that should not be picked.
Produce from campus fruit trees and berry patches is also always available to students.
Serving at the Garden
Service credits for APU students are available by coming to weekly open garden hours or other special one time events. The garden calendar is posted on Instagram and on the home page.
Service learning and club service activities can be arranged. Email us garden@apu.edu.
History
The APU Community Garden was begun in 2018, with Matt Browning, EdD, then staff in the APU Center for Student Action, leading the effort to identify an appropriate space on campus for a food garden and Paul Kaak, PhD, then Professor and Executive Director, Office of Faith Integration, and Kieva Kaak, Community Garden Volunteer Coordinator, leading gardening. In Spring 2022, a multidisciplinary faculty and staff leadership team was formed, with Peanut McCoy, PhD, as faculty advisor and Beth McCoy, PhD, as Community Garden Volunteer Coordinator.
Garden in the News
Frequently Asked Questions
Are vegetables in the garden used for something by APU organizations or are students able to harvest them?
Nearly all of the fruit and veggies grown on campus is intended for students to take and eat! We do our best to make sure none gets wasted, so you might see someone hawking produce on Cougar Walk.
Occasionally we have something that is being used to save seeds for next year or for research or class purposes. We'll mark it with an obvious sign (with everything but flashing lights) so you know to leave it. And often, it will be available for students after it is photographed or weighed.
We do have a QR code posted at the garden entrance to log that you have taken produce. It helps us to write grants for garden funding if we can report that students took so many pounds of produce from the garden last semester.
How do I know what is ready to pick?
Check the marker board on the south side of the shed for the latest. Our Instagram page also features produce that is in season. Or, come by during open gardening for a tour.
Is the produce in the garden organic?
That depends on what you mean by "organic." We generally follow organic and regenerative gardening principles, but we do not have USDA Organic certification.
Can you grow my favorite crop?
We are always taking recommendations from students. Some things we just can't grow due to space and climate (did you know some things need a proper winter?), but we will try almost anything that has a chance. Especially if you share how you prepare it.
Is the garden open/Can I earn service credits during Winter/Spring/Summer Break?
Yes! The garden is open 52 weeks a year, and we're glad to have extra help during breaks.
Can my class/club earn service credits in the garden?
Yes. Email us to set up a time and define a project that meets the service-learning requirements.
Do I need to have gardening experience to come to open gardening?
No. Learning and trying new things are normal parts of gardening. We're glad to have you join us. We recommend that you dress for the weather, bring water, and wear closed-toed shoes.
Can we have office hours/dinner/a birthday party/do homework in the garden?
Yes. You don't need to sign up in advance. If you're faculty planning office hours and are curious if someone else will be at the same time, send us an email.
Is there WIFI in the garden?
Yes. It's better on the north side.
I've got an idea for research in the garden. Can we do it?
Send us an email to discuss your idea and needs.
How do I make a donation to the garden?
If you would like to make an in-kind donation, send us an email. If you would like to make a cash donation, click here and choose CRIS Community Garden from the dropdown menu.