Ringling College of Art and Design
EN-10: Community Partnerships

Orange Blossom Community Garden has been a community partner for more than 10 years. The College has supported and partnered with the Garden in myriad ways during this time. Students have planted and maintained their own plots during many growing seasons, and helped neighbors do the same. Campus members have volunteered through out the years during frequent garden days, both large- and small-scale. Each year, the garden hosts a large group of incoming students during our New Student Orientation Day of Service. The group size has ranged from 50-100 people who plant, water, weed, build, maintain, and assist with countless garden tasks. The Garden is frequently a partner site for the MLK Day of Service and our Local Alternative Spring Break, and smaller groups report to the garden each month to serve as needed. For each of these projects, community and garden leaders determine how our students can serve in the most meaningful way- for all parties- and educate our students about the need and purpose of the garden, and how this valuable resource serves the neighborhood by providing a free, accessible source for fresh and organic produce.

The partnership extends to Sunshine Community Compost, who also operates at the garden. This program helps reduce food waste and provides compost for garden plots. Students help maintain the compost beds.

This local government organization has partnered to host several large groups during New Student Orientation every year, ranging from 20-75 students. Student volunteers help maintain the health of local ecosystems by removing debris, invasive species removal, and planting native species that help each environment thrive by working towards a healthy marine environment, and food and shelter for native animals.

Transition SRQ partners with farms and producers in Manatee and Sarasota counties to glean, or harvest, excess fresh produce to donate to our area food banks. The Suncoast Gleaning Project provides local, nutritious food to diverse populations, supports local farms with a tax deduction for donated produce, and builds community by uniting volunteers with an interest in local, sustainable food. Through the Lazarus Engaged Learning Assistant ship, students partner with the organization by assisting the organization with the creation of marketing materials and helping them promote and organize their large events.