A community of gardeners rakes dirt to emerge fresh soil, planting crops into their new homes on a section of land outside Kalapuya Ilihi Hall as the new Grove Garden.
Clarissa Nuuja, a University of Oregon Student, said that this is the “new era” of the grove garden.
The Grove Garden workers and student helpers now aim to grow plants in their new location outside of Kalapuya after being forced to relocate at the beginning of the school year. After spending the winter term rebuilding on their new grounds, they’re ready to plant the first seeds.
“We found out that (the university was) moving forward with the east campus development plan, (and) we had to really advocate and push back to get relocated,” Grove Garden Community Engagement and Outreach Coordinator Ella Hayden said. “After fighting pretty hard to make ourselves seen and heard … we were able to get another location.”
The Grove Garden originally started as a side project under the UO Urban Farm program and the Sustainability Coalition in 2012. Now, it will serve as a sustainable community garden where students can assist in planting and, in return, take home produce, with the rest of the produce being taken to the Produce Drop or Student Pantry.
“Students being in charge of (the garden) and providing for other students is a really rare opportunity, and clearly really impactful for people,” Hayden said.
Over the past few terms, the Grove Garden has had to face many challenges, from relocating and rebuilding to, most recently, having its boat stolen. According to Hayden, a boat that had sat on the grounds for quite some time was removed from the property on Monday between 1 and 7 p.m.
The boat was not only a special memory for members of the Grove Garden but also for people in the community.
“All the kids at the Moss Street Children’s Center really adore the boat. It’s something they’ve always looked at and really cared about,” Hayden said. “It’s just kind of been a staple, especially for students in the dorms around there. It’s a spot to hang out.”
Still, the garden community members continue to truck on, focusing on replanting the garden in its new home outside of Kalapuya.
“It’s nice to kind of have a community and we’re all working together towards a similar goal, especially with this new relocation project,” Nuuja said. “There’s a sense of unity. We are all working together to build something new. The old space was very beautiful (and had) lots of love throughout the many generations of students beforehand.”
Students can contribute to the garden rebuilding by volunteering at work parties every Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.
“I think just knowing our members of our community, and getting to know more people and helping out (is great),” UO first-year student Amara Coughlin said whilst planting various seeds.
As for individuals who may know anything about where the boat may be, the Grove Garden urges them to step forward provide information.
“If you happen to see it or hear anything about it, please do not hesitate to let us know. If you took it, no hard feelings. We just want it back!” the Grove Garden stated on their Instagram.
