Community garden faces uncertain future
By Kelly Walsh
Currently tucked away behind the Casa Italiana Residence Hall, the future of Santa Clara's only community garden remains uncertain as it prepares to make room for the construction of new residence halls.
The student-run Owl's Clover Community Garden got its official start seven years ago as a place where students and faculty harvested vegetables and donated them to the Second Harvest Food Bank of San Jose. Sponsored by the Santa Clara Community Action Program (SCCAP), the garden's proceeds are currently donated to needy children.
According to the garden's coordinator, sophomore Robyn Dayton, the area between Dunne Residence Hall and Walsh Residence Hall (Unity) has been proposed as a potential relocation sight, although no definite plans have been made by the University. Such a location might draw more attention to and more support for the garden, Dayton said.
Many issues loom regarding a potential move. The relocation would involve resoiling and replanting, both crucially tied to university backing. Dayton acknowledged that the process is in its formative stages but she remains optimistic.
"I have faith that the garden will be around in the future," Dayton said.
The program has evolved into an outreach program for children from the locally-based Community Home Alliance Ministry (CHAM) organization. Every Wednesday, from 3:30-5 p.m., children from CHAM visit Santa Clara, joining with students in the maintenance of the garden.
According to Dayton, the vegetables are sent home with the children, most of whom are from needy families. The garden also serves the purpose of exposing the children to the process and importance of organic farming in the upkeep of the environment.
Dayton's group of volunteers is small, with three or four students attending the weekly gardening hours on Thursdays and Sundays from 3-4 p.m.
"It is a great way to do something positive for the community on a broader scale without leaving the University," Dayton said.
Mark Goodell, one of the garden's frequent volunteers first got his start with the garden as a part of the Emerging Leaders Program. Introduced to the program to fulfill required service hours, Goodell now volunteers on his own time.
Goodell singled out the CHAM kids as the reason why he continues to volunteer.
"It is really great to see what the kids get out of an experience like this. It is the highlight of their day," he said.
Dayton also acknowledged the fact that the organic garden is just one component of Santa Clara's increasingly environmentally conscious outlook.
"The earth-friendly plates, expanded vegetarian and vegan food options provided by Bon Appetit are all indicators that the school is heading in the right direction," Dayton said.