NLC Giving Garden Donates First Produce Crop
November 30, 2021
USDA funded garden provides fully-sustainable produce to Advocacy Center
The NLC “Giving Garden” was officially dedicated and became operational in October and on November 29 provided its first crop of produce to the NLC Nighthawks Nest Advocacy Center. The first round of donations included tomatoes and lettuce, yielding 22.75 lbs of food. The garden will provide a variety of healthy produce to food-insecure students and community members.
“The idea began from a group of students, “ says Rob Vaughn, NLC Garden Club liaison. “The USDA grant helps the students realize their dreams of bringing healthy, free, and fresh produce to the community.”
Northeast Lakeview College (NLC) received a $10,500 grant from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to construct a garden on its campus to grow sustainable produce to benefit the college’s food pantry and the community. The high-tunnel and garden are expected to yield over 600 pounds of produce annually that will directly benefit the NLC Nighthawks Nest student food pantry and provide donations to underserved community food distribution sites and farmer’s markets.
The Nighthawks Nest Advocacy Center improves the academic performance of NLC students by providing integrated services and resources to address Mental Health, Emotional and Socioeconomic needs.