Honors Derbyshire Community Garden Initiative
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
In Person or Zoom Presentation
In-Person
Campus
Daytona Beach
Status
Student
Student Year and Major
Junior in Aerospace Engineering
Presentation Description/Abstract
Established in 2019, the Derbyshire Community Garden has served the Daytona Beach community in which 1 in 7 people are food insecure, according to Second Harvest Food Banks, by providing access to fertile soil and nutritious produce to those in need. Garden plots are rented out at affordable prices so those who wish can grow their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Any extra produce is donated to members of the community, students, and Hope Place (a local women’s shelter). In 2020, the Master Gardener collaborated with the ERAU Honors Program, and the Honors Derbyshire Community Garden Initiative was born. The initiative now manages four plots (as well as any unattended plots), the hugelkultur, our multiple flower beds, an external berry bed, and our new budding orchard. The garden strives to educate young and old generations alike to grow organic, non-GMO produce, operate sustainability, and give back to our community. At present, the garden practices composting, grows organic produce, and runs all water pumps on solar energy. Classes are offered to teach students better gardening practices, and produce not distributed to our members and neighbors is donated to the Hope Place Women’s Shelter. For future plans, we are constructing more beds to improve water retention (aka reduce water waste), a weed sifter to conserve soil, and much more.
Keywords
community garden, sustainable gardening, organic, non-GMO, community engagement
Honors Derbyshire Community Garden Initiative
Established in 2019, the Derbyshire Community Garden has served the Daytona Beach community in which 1 in 7 people are food insecure, according to Second Harvest Food Banks, by providing access to fertile soil and nutritious produce to those in need. Garden plots are rented out at affordable prices so those who wish can grow their own fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Any extra produce is donated to members of the community, students, and Hope Place (a local women’s shelter). In 2020, the Master Gardener collaborated with the ERAU Honors Program, and the Honors Derbyshire Community Garden Initiative was born. The initiative now manages four plots (as well as any unattended plots), the hugelkultur, our multiple flower beds, an external berry bed, and our new budding orchard. The garden strives to educate young and old generations alike to grow organic, non-GMO produce, operate sustainability, and give back to our community. At present, the garden practices composting, grows organic produce, and runs all water pumps on solar energy. Classes are offered to teach students better gardening practices, and produce not distributed to our members and neighbors is donated to the Hope Place Women’s Shelter. For future plans, we are constructing more beds to improve water retention (aka reduce water waste), a weed sifter to conserve soil, and much more.