Florida State University
Tier2-2: Organic Garden

The Florida State University Alumni Village Community Garden, located in south-west campus, reflects the vibrant and international Alumni Village Community. The garden is a student driven initiative to encourage healthy and natural eating practices and well as a love for gardening and communing with friends. The garden is all organic and pesticide free and was designed using 90% recycled materials. Local vendors and organizations partnered with the Alumni Village to provide compost, seeds, compost bins and planters. The Garden group partners with the Leon County extension office to receive guidance from the Master Gardener Program. Residents come from countries around the world so the garden incorporates a variety vegetables and fruits. Hillel at FSU provides a similar gardening experience at its location. A small, organic garden has been set up for students to grow vegetables that are used in some of the meals prepared at Hillel. Hillel is currently working with the Tallahassee Sustainability Group, a student organization, to expand their garden.

Alumni Village garden - Gardeners vary in knowledge and expertise however the love of learning and working together allows each member to grow. The Garden group consists of all ages and nationalities, where communication through hands-on experience leads to learning and greater awareness. In addition to the vegetable garden, a Zen garden and fountain have been added to create a space for peaceful and mindful meditation. The group is looking forward to expanding the garden to include a meditation Labyrinth, a flower garden and other fruits. The Garden group is open to Alumni Village residents and anyone interested in creating a sustainable environment, a strong community and lifelong friendships.