Tell us what you’d like to learn about vermicomposting, sustainable gardening or food waste recycling, contact Cultivating Community.
Vermicomposting can be done year round, indoors, or with little or no yard space. Click here to learn more.
7/24/2008 53°F | Fair
In 2004 a group of University of Michigan students, faculty, and staff and several community members came together to create a student-based program for promoting food-system awareness. The discussion was initially spurred by a visit to Matthaei Botanical Gardens by Will Allen of Growing Power in Milwaukee orchestrated by Ruth Knoll and follow-up discussions with Sara Warber and Kate Irvine at the UM Integrative Medicine Program and MBGNA Director Bob Grese. Students from several UM classes studied the logistics of integrated vermicomposting and food production as a demonstration of a closed loop recycling project on campus during 2004-2005, and the first Cultivating Community garden was built in the summer of 2005. Shortly afterwards other campus gardens began.
Cultivating Community obtained its first batch of red worms from Growing Power, and from there conversations began between Michigan Union chefs, Residential College faculty, the Ginsberg Center, Cultivating Community members, and others about how to best promote this unique program. Guidance from the Ypsilanti-based non-profit group Growing Hope helped advance our goals and community garden plans.
Cultivating Community’s gardening facilities are generously supplied by the Matthaei Botanical Gardens. Other connections with the University of Michigan span from the Waste Management & Recycling Services and Grounds Operations to the University Dining Services.
The inception of this program would not have been possible without the creative mind of Ruth Knoll and the generous funding from the Andrah Foundation.