UVA’s community garden cultivates student health and sustainability
Growing your own food boosts health and activity, reducing illness risk. UVA’s garden promotes student sustainability and offers therapeutic benefits.
From reducing cancer risks to providing therapeutic benefits, gardening is emerging as a powerful tool for both physical and mental well-being at the University of Virginia. Through community gardens and educational workshops, UVA is cultivating a deeper understanding of how growing your own food can lead to better health outcomes while supporting sustainability initiatives.
The health benefits of home-grown produce
UVA Cancer Center experts emphasize that gardening can help reduce cancer risk by combining physical activity with increased access to fresh, nutrient-rich produce. According to UVA Health nutritionist Monica Hershey, consuming a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables is crucial for overall health. “Fresh fruits and vegetables contain a wide variety of vitamins and minerals that our bodies need to function, and it’s important to try and eat a variety of those fruits and vegetables because they contain different amounts and different kinds of nutrients,” she explained to UVA Today.
Megan Poole, a registered dietitian at UVA’s Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, advocates for eating “the rainbow,” meaning incorporating produce of various colors into one’s diet. She emphasizes this approach during community workshops where participants learn practical gardening skills, including how to grow tomatoes, jalapeños, and cilantro.
UVA’s community garden: A hub of sustainable learning
Located at the intersection of McCormick and Alderman roads, UVA’s community garden serves as an educational space where students can gain hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture. The garden, managed by the UVA Office for Sustainability, produces an impressive variety of crops, including carrots, bok choy, beets, and various herbs such as lavender, rosemary, and thyme.
Lela Garner, sustainability manager for student outreach and engagement, highlights the therapeutic aspects of gardening. “It’s important to give students opportunities to not only learn about sustainable gardening practices and food growth, but also a place to just get their hands dirty in the soil,” she shared.
Beauty and sustainability
The garden exemplifies UVA’s commitment to sustainability by utilizing compost from Black Bear Composting, which processes UVA Dine’s food waste. Beyond growing food, the garden also serves as a space for learning about flower arrangement, with zinnias and other blooms available for creating bouquets. This holistic approach to wellness demonstrates how simple acts like planting seeds can grow into comprehensive solutions that nourish both individuals and communities.
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