In a space that is both beautiful and productive, the Harvard Community Garden brings together members of the community to raise awareness about the critical role that food plays in our environment and our health.
Implemented in the spring of 2010, the Harvard Community Garden is a collaborative, University-wide project led by the Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School and an undergraduate student group, working closely with Harvard University Hospitality and Dining Services, Landscape Services, the Graduate School of Design, the Office for Sustainability, the Harvard College Environmental Action Committee, and the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.
The garden includes a mix of raised beds for growing food, perennial borders, patio space for classes and events, and open green space. Pathways and tall garden beds, built with guidance from University Disability Services, are fully accessible to those with special needs. The garden is staffed by undergraduates year round, and is open for use as a social, as well as productive, space.
The student-run garden has quickly become a beacon for sustainable urban gardening and a treasured oasis on campus. It is the first garden on campus dedicated solely to the production of food, but continues the legacy of the historical Harvard Botanical Garden that operated from 1807-1943.
By providing hands-on learning to students and the wider community, the Garden helps people understand the central role food plays in their health and the health of the planet.
They offer regular community work days, food demonstrations and tastings, educational activities for schools and groups, educational materials such as recipes and curriculum, as well as ongoing lectures about food issues.
