University Terrace Garden

 

 

The University Terrace Gardens
   UT teacher and Coach Tom Talley started the garden over 10 years ago with a vision for beautifying the school and  

   donated plants from local nurseries. With the help of Master Gardeners, 4-H students, and faithful Kids Hope USA     

   volunteers from University United Methodist Church, the garden has grown to include an International Children's Garden  

   with plants native to the 35 countries represented by the student body.

 

   The new UT "Edible Garden" is the product of many individuals:
    •    Dr. K. Mark Weaver - Thomas H. Daigre Endowed Professor of Business at LSU.
    •    Dr. Marybeth Lima - Biological Engineering Professor, is coordinating the playground project and will work with Dr.  

         Weaver to fully integrate the Edible Garden into the building of the wellness/playground project.
 
   The Garden was created to promote wellness and healthy eating which can be integrated into educational programs. Crops

   from the edible garden will be distributed to the students that work in the garden as “crop rewards” to take home to their  

   families. The school was selected for an outdoor classroom/playground improvement project by the Gulf-South Summit on

   Service Learning and Civic Engagement in Higher Education. 


 The most important success measures are how students involve themselves in the Edible Garden project and are provided

  an opportunity to learn to eat healthier. Some outcomes that can be expected from student involvement in the project

  include:
    •    reduced disciplinary problems,
    •    reduced absenteeism, and
    •    increased wellness and fitness.

  While many factors affect these outcomes, current research shows that healthy eating with active play during the school  

  day positively affects these success criteria.
 
  The Edible Garden has:
    •    32/52 foot bed areas being defined,
    •    A raised bed planting design
    •    An "Outdoor Classroom" to integrate the garden experiences into lessons
    •    Benches for students in the Outdoor Classroom
    •    Potting Benches implemented by the Eagle Scouts
    •    Composting beds implemented by the Eagle Scouts
    •    A tool shed implemented by the Eagle Scouts
    •    16 Cubic Yards of NEW garden soil (donated)
    •    Mulching
    •    A Watering system
    •    A weather station so KIDS can beat the weatherman!
    •    WHIMSEY items for a fun element to the garden
    •    Notice Boards for daily work “to do” lists in the garden

  And lots of sweat and love to do whatever else needs to be done