Lakeland University reignites its Garden Club and invites students to join them in future projects.
Garden Club was started through a fall 2023 Honors seminar called Food: Hunters, Gatherers, and Phone Tappers. The seminar was taught by Lakeland’s Associate Professor of Writing, Jodie Mortag. The seminar led a service project that involved reviving Lakeland University’s garden. Due to the autumn season, not much could be planted at the time. Instead, Sarah Stege, a student who was part of the Honors seminar, says the group “‘put the garden to bed’ by putting straw down to protect the garden during the winter.” The group also pulled numerous weeds in multiple sessions and developed a spring planting guide. According to Stege, “Even though it was fall, [Mortag] wanted to make sure [the group] contributed a lot to the garden.”
Garden Club is beginning take root this spring 2025 semester.
Meara Hayes, a member of the club and the Honors seminar, says that being “a part of garden club can be many things.” She goes on to describe that, “Often it involves helping care for the garden and its plants as well as creating activities/awareness for students about gardening and the one we have here.”
Hayes also mentions Garden Club’s mission. In her opinion, the club’s mission “is to help foster a happy, healthy, and informed community on campus about the food we eat as well as about plants in general.”
Garden Club is reigniting its activities since its creation in 2023. Hayes mentions that a goal of the club is to get Lakeland’s garden operating year-round. Garden Club also hopes to boost student involvement by taking student suggestions as to what plants should be in the garden. Additionally, plants from the garden will be used and served in Lakeland’s cafeteria.
Garden Club is still just a sprout, so members encourage students to join in on the blooming fun. Hayes says: “Students should join as they would not only be helping themselves but also other students as well. You would also learn about how to possibly be able to start a garden of your own one day.” Hayes also mentioned that she believes Garden Club has “something different to offer everyone,” but especially gives opportunity to those already involved in dining services.
Garden Club will begin planting seeds through the spring and fall of 2025 and begin their activities. Students are encouraged to keep an eye out for updates if they are interested. Aspiring members can contact Joseph M. Johnson at [email protected] for information.
