Founded last September, McGill's Campus Crops is off to a running start. Prior to the winter holidays, the club had filed a proposal to the university for the acquisition of a plot of land behind the McGill School of Environment building. Returning in the new year, the club was notified that their proposal was approved and they were permitted to use the land until September of 2008.
While it's hard to picture green plants when everything in the vicinity is covered with a blanket of snow, Campus Crops has already begun planning. Despite the snow and cold, the club plans on getting plants outside by March with the help of a 'cold frame' which will help keep the seedlings from frosting over; but until it's ready, they will be grown at the Macdonald Campus greenhouse. Priming the plot will involve removing all the snow and putting the frame up.
But the club's goals for the small plot of land transcend more than simply producing vegetables.
"Our goal is to create a community on campus by growing food," says Gillian Jackson, U3 environment. "There are not many opportunities for growing food downtown."
Jackson, an active member since the club's inception, argues that there has been no outlet for students downtown to grow as the greenhouses are off-limits.
In an effort to expand their community Campus Crops is asking McGill students their opinions on what should be grown in the garden. By drawing up a physical outline of the spot and putting it in the Organic Corner of the Shatner building, the club hopes to attract students and promote their involvement by urging them to draw in the vegetables they would like to see.
Because the university population drops substantially between April and September, the vegetables that the plot produces during the summer months will be given to charities and food banks. When students return in September, the club hopes to reach them directly by collaborating with Organic Campus.
Though the club's focus is on gardening and producing vegetables, their aim is not solely to attract seasoned green thumbs, but rather a group of individuals with varying levels of interest and experience.
"You can have any level of involvement that you want…You can come and hang out or be actively involved," says Rafael Wolman U3 anthropology.
"I am interested in growing and gardening," explains Caytee Lush, U1 education, though she joined the club with no prior experience in growing plants. Lush joined in the hopes of learning more about the process and played an active role in writing up the club's proposal to acquire the land.
In general, the club is open to everyone who wants to participate. They do, however, stress their need for summer volunteers to help from May until August, as well as volunteers to help during the fall harvest.
To become involved with Campus Crops, check out their meetings: Mondays at 6 p.m. in the Geography Lounge on the third floor of Burnside, or contact campuscrops@gmail.com.
Be the first to comment on this story