UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Gardeners of all ages and skill levels are invited to the upcoming Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm’s "Garden Grow-How." Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned grower, this hands-on event offers tips, activities, and a chance to share gardening wisdom. The event will take place on Mar. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Heritage Hall, at the HUB-Robeson Center.
The Ross Student Farm is collaborating with campus and community groups including the Penn State Community Garden, EcoReps, Student Farm Club and other partners to host the Grow-How. This diverse team is working to ensure that the event has activities for everyone, including using food scraps as garden nourishment, how to save seeds, and at-home hydroponics.
Stations will be family-friendly, with activities for kids including botanical crafts, an up-close look at soil health, recipe development with garden produce, and more.
“Many people don’t realize how easy it is to sustainably dispose of food waste at home, and that’s where we come in,” said Alexa Calvanese, member of EcoReps dining committee. “We’re here to educate on how simple changes in your own home can have big impact on the environment through sustainable gardening.”
There will be handmade clay pots made by students in AED211 as door prizes and free succulents to take home for Penn State students. Prizes also include gardening books, garden supplies, and seedlings, which have been generously donated by Chelsea Green Publishing, Floret Farms, Soltech and the Ross Student Farm.
Sarah Landauer, an AmeriCorps member working with the Ross Student Farm, is leading students and partners to organize the event.
“This time of year, is always so exciting because we get to start thinking about and planning for all the growth that is to come in the spring and summer, “said Landauer. “Garden Grow-How is a great kick-off event for the growing season and offers educational stations that are both beginner and expert friendly.”
Anyone interested in gardening, from both campus and the wider community, are welcome. There will be several stations with activties and crafts geared especially toward kids. Paid parking is available to visitors in the HUB parking deck.
About the Sustainable Food Systems Network at Penn State
The Sustainable Food Systems Network includes the Dr. Keiko Miwa Ross Student Farm at Penn State, Student Farm Club, Food Recovery Network, ther inter-college Food Systems Minor, and Course-Client Collaborations. The goal of the program is to develop students’ knowledge about sustainable agriculture practices while providing hands-on learning opportunities and positively contributing to the community.