CoGreene Scene / Summer 2021 / 3
Community Garden Thrives Through Pandemic protocols, the Garden thrived – augmenting the on-campus food pantry with fresh produce and involving students at the C-GCC Daycare Center whenever possible. Cavanagh and Wase both feared the Garden might fall into disrepair without people to tend to its rows after March 2020. However, some early spring planting meant seedlings already were sprouting, and volunteers soon began devising ways to tend to them in socially-distanced ways. “Because the students had started many of the plants from seed in their homes before the pandemic, getting plants in the spring was not a problem,” said Wase. “Creating a system for maintaining the Garden was more of a challenge, but the Garden produced very well.”
Nursing student and founder of the C-GCC Meditation and Wellness Club Meredith Cavanagh of Catskill was instrumental in resurrecting the C-GCC Community Garden after a brief time in the weeds.
Wase said volunteers adhered to a schedule throughout the summer and fall months, arriving to tend to the Garden masked and alone, or in small family groups. A hose was left nearby for watering, with an invitation to any staff coming on-campus to help the cause, and several staff and community members donated plants to diversify crops.
While the campus has been quiet, it’s been a few lively semesters at the Columbia-Greene Community College Community Garden, as students and staff work hard to keep it growing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to the College limiting access to campus in keeping with COVID-19
This season, the Garden continues to grow: Meditation and Wellness Club members tested and winterized the soil, laid leaves on the beds for mulch, and planted garlic and asparagus for a summer harvest. The C-GCC Buildings and Grounds crew and members of the Construction Technology Department built and relocated new raised beds and donated wildflower seeds for the first planting. A sign created by local woodcarver and long-time C-GCC employee Jon Powell of Blackhead Mountain Bear Works will be reinstalled by C-GCC Construction Technology students as a capstone to that project. “We envision the Garden as a source of food for students, employees, and the community’s food pantries, and will provide opportunities to teach children about gardening and healthy eating,” said Wase, noting that the Meditation and Wellness Club and Health Matters Committee are now planning the 2021 season. “We will be looking for volunteers and donations to build a compost area, and we are also hoping to have Construction Technology students help us.” For more information about the C-GCC Community Garden, e-mail Robbin Wase at robbin.wase@sunycgcc.edu.
In 2011 Elizabeth Winig ’12, Professor Emeritus of History Ted Hilscher, and Associate Professor of Communication Studies Maya Greene created the Community Garden. After some time in the weeds, the Garden came to life in 2019 thanks to nursing student and founder of the C-GCC Meditation and Wellness Club Meredith Cavanagh of Catskill, and Robbin Wase, administrative assistant for the Division of Nursing and Meditation and Wellness Club advisor. Soon after, C-GCC’s Health Matters Committee joined the cause, creating a strong group of students, staff, faculty, and community supporters to care for the rows.
Tomatoes, kale, swiss chard, hot peppers, onions, okra, celery, green peppers, and garlic were harvested in 2020 and donated to the Salvation Army Food Pantry, C-GCC students, and employees.
• COGREENE CALENDAR Summer 2021 • Summer I non-credit classes begin Monday, May 17. Robbin Wase, administrative assistant for the Division of Nursing and Meditation and Wellness Club advisor, plants garlic for a July harvest in the C-GCC Community Garden.
• College closed Friday, July 2, through Sunday, July 11. • Summer II non-credit classes begin Monday, July 12.
