Our one credit, pass/fail class designed to help “non-gardeners” gain experience and learn from other students is now full.  Watch for it next semester and register for STOCKSCH 298G early!  This is student run class which meets on Mondays from 2:30pm-3:45pm and requires additional time in the garden at the top of Eastman Hill.

To register on SPIRE, look for STOCKSCH 298G – GardenShare Practicum (75664)

The first class was loads of fun (according to the participants).  If you want to stay connected and/or volunteer, join the Facebook group here:

https://www.facebook.com/UMassGardenShare/

Student Facilitators:

• Brandon Curtin – bjcurtin@umass.edu
• Cali Ellis   –  csellis@umass.edu
• Sage Grasso- Monroe –  sgrassomonro@umass.edu.
• Ezra Marcus – emarcus@umass.edu

Mission Statement: GardenShare is a student-run community garden where students of all academic interests and background can come together to learn how to grow healthy food. Through community and self-directed learning students at UMass are able to engage with a variety of food production methods and learning opportunities. By learning in a community setting we strive to create an inclusive space where everyone’s input is valued.

Course Description: The GardenShare class is a one credit, pass/fail class offered at UMass in the fall semester. Throughout the semester we will work in the garden growing fall crops and preparing the garden for winter. We will also hear and participate in a variety of workshops and workdays which will cover topics from soil fertility and gardening techniques to building raised beds, raising bees and mowing with scythes. Within a classroom we will discuss gardening techniques and theories such as permaculture and host guest speakers and workshops to further everyone’s knowledge about gardening and food production. Our garden is located on Tilson Farm Road, off of East Pleasant St, behind the North Fire Station and UMass Police Department.

Class Requirements and Grading expectations: Garden share is a 1 credit pass/fail course. Each student is allotted one unexcused absence throughout the semester. If you are going to miss class please email Ezra or another facilitator. You don’t need a crazy excuse but it is very helpful for us to know ahead of time.

Each student is asked to complete 10 work hours outside of class throughout the semester. There are a variety of fun things you can do to fulfill this including working at the garden, volunteering at a local farm, helping facilitators sell vegetables at the UMass Student Farmers’ Market, preparing food for a class potluck, or attending a sustainable/local/agricultural related workshop or event. We will keep track of work-hours throughout the semester.

Each student will be asked to research a topic related to agriculture and organic gardening and give a brief presentation at the end of the semester. Students may be asked to work in pairs and presentations will not be longer than 3-5 minutes.

Grading will be based on the the above requirements, attendance, and class participation.

Goal: To give students an opportunity to explore gardening and learn in a hands-on, social environment.

Objective: Students will leave this class able to start their own small garden.

Tentative Schedule

*workdays are weather permitting and can be supplemented with indoor classroom teach-ins