At seven of Penn State’s Commonwealth Campuses, campus gardens and farms help to connect students with nature. Programs aimed at sustainable food practices and mental well-being help to create an environment for growth and joy within the community.
Penn State Shenango Student Affairs staffer Tony Paglia runs the gardens with the help of students and other staff and faculty. The space allows room for them all to destress and spend some time in the outdoors, but it also brings the benefits of fresh produce to campus.
Students can learn about the importance of medicinal plants at Penn State Fayette, where the garden includes a medicine wheel and additional crops with cultural significance.
An event celebrating the opening of the Penn State Berks campus garden included signs and presentations from student groups, and offered introductions to the world of gardening. That included tables to highlight the importance of pollinators like bees and butterflies.
