Health, Wellness and Accessibility Services, with support from the Teaching Greenhouse, is growing an initiative that will help feed students in need and they’re calling for green thumbs to help bring their vision to fruition.
Volunteers are needed to help plant a vegetable garden on Tuesday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake. They’ll also need a helping hand throughout the summer to weed, train, and water, ensuring that the garden truly blossoms.
The new garden will be located near the Wine Visitor + Education Center (site pictured) at the the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
“We are hoping to recruit gardening enthusiasts, staff, students etc., to help with filling the beds and planting them,” said Trina Washington, Counsellor, Health, Wellness and Accessibility. “It’s a student-led initiative grown by students, for students.”
Washington noted that HWAS launched the initiative with Robert Pastirik, a graduate of the Horticultural Technician program (2025) to grow produce to help students battling food insecurity.
“The initiative was brought forward by Rob. He recognized the number of fellow students struggling with food insecurity,” she said. “HWAS meets with students each day who experience food insecurity so have been instrumental in assisting with expanding the initiative so that it continues for years to come.”
While a small garden was planted last summer near the student residence, the project was able to expand this year thanks to generous donations. The new site, near the Wine Vsitor + Education Center, will include more raised planter beds in a more prominent campus location.
In the future, Washington noted that they hope to have several crops per year to provide produce for the Rise and Shine breakfast program.
Plants will be provided by the Teaching Greenhouse and staff from the Teaching Greenhouse will help support the initiative on planting day.
No registration is needed. Drop in at anytime to help.
