NGU’s Garden Club Begins to Blossom
Ashley Merck, Staff Writer
Members and volunteers of NGU’s new garden club break ground for the main garden in Fosters Circle on Sept. 9, 2016. Photo Courtesy of Ashley Merck.
North Greenville University is breaking ground and offering students the opportunity to join its new “The Birds and the Bees” garden club.
The garden club held its first official meeting on Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. in the lobby of Craft-Hemphill Center. The meeting was open to all students who were interested in being a part of this upcoming club; however, it is not too late to be involved. Anyone can join the garden club and many degree programs are encouraged to join because it will give students an opportunity to practice real world experiences.
Different majors can benefit through the garden club in multiple ways. For example, communication majors can help promote the club by running social media accounts, business and accounting majors can help with fundraising and money management, and health science majors can help with nutritional aspects (just to name a few). Students do not need prior gardening experience to be in the club; however, “harvest time is hectic, and the more hands we have, the better” says club sponsor, Debra Rollins (Business Analyst).
The club will be completely student led and all produce that is harvest in the main garden will be given back to local church food banks. Matthew Mitchem, a sophomore outdoor leadership major, is the president and lead gardener of the club. The garden club also plans to be involved with the community by inviting local elementary schools to visit campus and teach the children how to maintain a garden. Students, faculty, staff and community came together and participated in a ground breaking ceremony that was held in Fosters Circle on Sept. 9 at 2 p.m.
The purpose of this club is “to use the garden and the fruits of our labor to be the hands and feet of Jesus in the surrounding communities by sharing our bounty with those in need while sharing God’s love” explains Rollins. Through this new club, students can experience the beauty of God’s creation while also learning how to take care of the earth properly as the Bible encourages us to do. Whether students are gardeners, want real life experiences or just want to be involved in a school organization, “The Birds and the Bees” garden club is a club to consider joining. For further questions and information contact Debra Rollins by email at Debra.Rollins@ngu.edu.
