Organic Garden -- The Beginning

In May of 2008, Chatham University received Eden Hall Farm as a gift from the Eden Hall Foundation. The University has a 100 year contract with restrictions on developing the 388 acres. It was the hope of the Eden Hall Foundation that the land could be preserved while benefiting an institution that has a dedication to women’s leadership. Eden Hall Farm Campus is the headquarters of Chatham’s School of Sustainability. Chatham’s commitment to women’s leadership as well as environmental awareness made the school a worthy recipient of the land.

Within a year, Dr. Lynne Bruckner and Kerri LaCharite began the organic garden. After a great deal of planning, the two lead students in the ground breaking during the spring 2009 organic gardening class. They were also able to plant the first seedlings in the green house and build raised beds. The organic gardening class is offered every semester. Students have also participated in the garden during “alternative spring break” and a summer work and pick program.

The work and pick program consisted of two groups of Chatham community members, one for Tuesday evenings and one for Saturday mornings. I participated in the Saturday group. Every Saturday morning, we met at the garden to complete any needed work. At the end of the day, we harvested all we could and divided it amongst the group. I left every week with a box full of fresh vegetables that I proudly called my own. For some reason, there is so much satisfaction in cooking with vegetables that I planted and cared for.

I became involved in the work and pick program after taking an environmental literature class with Dr. Bruckner. The class was held 4 days a week during the month of May, and once a week we traveled to the garden. After a few hours of work, we tried to have a meal with greens from the garden.

The garden is surrounded by a 5 foot fence, arched at the top and bottom to deter unwanted animal invaders. The fence was installed by students from the Spring 2009 organic gardening class. These students decided that this type of fence was the most humane and sustainable way to keep animals from getting to the garden, and were dedicated enough to the idea that they spent a whole Saturday building it.

One topic discussed while gardening is companion planting. When paired correctly, plants can help protect each other from pests and promote a higher yield. For example, alyssum is planted to help attract bees, while marigolds are planted to repel deer.

See here for an article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09150/973722-30.stm