Elon is known for its luscious 575 acres of botanical gardens, but it was not until a year ago that a piece of the grounds was turned into a beautiful resource.

In the fall of 2006, Professor of Legal Education Dr. Marty Peters’ Environmental Ethics class started the Elon Community Garden as part of their unit on stewardship and community building. Since then the garden, located just behind the Truitt Center, has literally blossomed.

The garden grows food year-round, depending on what is in season, and the food is then donated to local organizations such as Allied Churches Emergency Night Shelter. Because of the end of the fall season and the drought, the garden is in what’s called a “steady season.”

During the spring the food from the garden can support two to three families.

Since this project is not well known around campus, it is always in need of volunteers. Working in the garden can be as simple as pulling weeds for an hour or helping turn the crop over from season to season.

Junior Bre Detwiler, a member of the Environmental Ethics class who started the project, is currently active in sustaining the garden.

Detwiler said one of her favorite parts about working in the garden happens during the summer when the local high school students attending Elon Academy spend six weeks of their summer studying at Elon.

“One time we found lots of giant slugs with holes in their heads,” Detwiler said.

Members of the Service Learning Community spend some time working in the garden helping weed and plant for the fall season.

“It was interesting to see how much food can be grown from such a small plot of land,” freshman Rachel Perron said. “All the food goes to help out local families, so it’s nice to know you are giving people fresh produce who can normally afford only canned food.”

Students who participate usually experience a new found appreciation for gardening.

“I have a small garden at home, but working in the Community Garden made me realize how much goes into producing the food that we take for granted every day,” freshman Jacquelyn DiNick said.

If you are interested in working in the Community Garden, visit www.elongarden.googlepages.com. Support other community gardens by buying locally grown food at farmers markets on Church street and in Greensboro.

Reporter: Courtney Graham - 12/05/07