Gro Green: Growing Community at University of Arkansas

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Fall is undoubtedly upon us, evident in the cool breeze, smiling faces, and buzz of activity.

Gro Green, the registered student organization that started and maintains the campus community garden, has been preparing accordingly. The garden is located in Maple Hill West, with Cleveland Street creating the northern boundary.

On Tuesday, Sept. 24, student members of Gro Green finished up the last phases of preparing the fall garden in order to plant.

After removing the crops from a successful summer, compost from the city of Fayetteville was tilled into the beds in order to increase the organic matter and general health of the soil.

The ultimate goal is to produce a flourishing fall garden. GroGreen is preparing to plant kale, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, and even yellow, purple and orange carrots. In October, Gro Green will be installing low-cost, practical low tunnels to extend the season—which will provide more food for more people over a longer period of time.

Gro Green was formed as an RSO in 2005 and the initial garden plot was established in 2011, under faculty adviser Curt Rom. Gro Green's mission is simple yet multifaceted and embodies much of what many other campus organizations and student groups strive towards: sustainability and ecological responsibility.

The produce is grown using all-natural and organic methods, with the majority of the produce being donated to the U of A's Full Circle Food Pantry. The remaining food, and there is always plenty, is thoroughly enjoyed by participants and partners of Gro Green and/or donated to other food pantries in Fayetteville.

All students and faculty are invited to participate, regardless of horticultural experience or academic program.

You don't have to get dirty to take part in Gro Green! (Although, that can be nice too.) There are many opportunities to engage with Gro Green according to one's interests, including but not limited to: social media and outreach, documentation and photography, food distribution, cooking and nutrition, creative projects, education, fundraising, and more.

GroGreen hosted potluck get-together at the garden on Friday, Sept. 27. Be sure to keep an eye out for more events coming up this semester such as the Low Tunnel Workshop, Halloween Party at Tri Cycle Farms, a film showing and more!

If you would like to know more, be added to the email list, and/or the Facebook group, please feel free to contact Olivia Hines at ohines@uark.edu.