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UH AND URBAN HARVEST COLLABORATION CONTINUES
Back in 2008, a group of UH representatives showed up in an
Urban Harvest gardening class to get direction on starting a
community garden. Four years later, that simple encounter has
grown into a strong partnership and a flourishing campus
community garden. This green alliance between UH and Urban
Harvest has recently been renewed and will continue to bring
deepened understanding of gardening, health and sustainability
to all who participate in the programs.
Gary Edmondson, Director of Education for Urban Harvest, said
that
soon after the initial introduction, they discovered the
University of Houston and Urban Harvest were both in need of
some assistance � University of Houston needed help on starting
a new community garden and Urban Harvest needed a location for
gardening classes.
�This was the beginning of our collaboration. Now we routinely
visit the garden and give advice on what and how to grow
vegetables. Additionally, we have been contacted by various
classes at the university and given opportunities to talk about
gardening to students of architecture, education and nutrition.
For the past two years we have had our annual fruit tree sale at
Robertson Stadium. We are grateful to the university for its
role in promoting gardening education and sustainability in
Houston,� Edmondson said.
Urban Harvest is a nonprofit organization in Houston that
�promotes healthy communities, sound nutrition and respect for
the environment by educating children and adults and
facilitating harvest and habitat gardens� according to
Edmondson. The organization accomplishes these goals through
their programs involving community gardens, education and
farmers markets.
As part of the partnership, Urban Harvest continues to meet
weekly with the Office of Sustainability as a consultant on the
campus community garden. Also, each month Urban Harvest
contributes to the Administration and Finance monthly newsletter
to share tips and information on gardening. In exchange, the
University of Houston provides classroom space for gardening
classes.
More than 100 classes are taught each year by Urban Harvest in all
aspects of gardening, sustainability and urban farming with the
University of Houston hosting several of these classes. Adult
class subjects include building a vegetable and fruit garden,
fruits and fruit tree care, planning a seasonal garden as well
as classes on herbs, composting, pest management and a series
discussing all aspects of organically growing vegetables.
Urban Harvest also hosts sustainability classes including a
Permaculture Series that will teach what permaculture offers to
those interested in a sustainable lifestyle. Permaculture is the
development of agricultural ecosystems intended to be
sustainable and self-sufficient. The classes are offered in the
fall, winter and spring each year and end in a graduation and
certification in permaculture.
In addition to these courses, Urban Harvest also hosts youth
gardening classes primarily for Houston elementary schools to
give youth hands-on experience in gardening and preparing
nutritious food. The organization also hosts several farmers
markets throughout the city and assists groups with establishing
and maintaining community gardens.
For a full list of upcoming Urban Harvest classes, visit their
website and check the
calendar of classes. UH
students, faculty and staff are eligible for discounts on
classes. For more information on Urban Harvest, visit
www.urbanharvest.org.
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