Dining Services Garden

Beginning as a small herb plot in 2009, The Dining Services Garden at Kentland Farm grew approximately 23,000 pounds of sustainably-managed produce during summer 2010. Under the leadership of two student managers and two educators, with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the garden is projected to increase production and provide at least 44,600 pounds during summer 2011. As a result of hard work over the last two years, the garden has doubled production to 2.25 acres and will be adding a berry production patch this summer to include blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Successful and sustainable production at the garden is the result of an enriching partnership with faculty in the Department of Horticulture and a community food sheds grant given to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Here’s your chance to be a part of Virginia Tech’s agricultural influence–even if you’re not in the College of Agriculture. Whether you work on the grounds, study philosophy, work in a lab, or teach music, you definitely eat. Forging a connection with your food is an important one to make, so we are providing opportunities for you to do just that. This is your chance to grow the food that you and your Hokie community eat in Virginia Tech’s dining centers. The Dining Services Garden does not supply all of Virginia Tech’s food, but it is ever-growing, especially with your help.

How to get involved:

The volunteer program will now be coordinated on the Dining Services Garden at Kentland Farm Volunteer Program Facebook page.

Volunteer opportunities will begin in late spring/early summer when production begins, and will last through the harvest season until around November. Opportunities are especially abundant in the early-late fall semesters.