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Show The Westminster Organic Garden produces everythingfrom various kinds ofsquash to mint and garlic. Ali Fairchild Staff Reporter The Westminster Organic Garden is back in full swing and has added honey bees to Westminsters campus this fall. (The garden) is a great place if you would like to have access to locally grown, organic food, said Alezabeth Potucek, garden coordinator. The garden falls under the auspice of the Environmental Center and is run by a group of staff, faculty, and students. Anyone is welcome to volunteer whenever they can. The garden is a great place to come and learn about gardening if you have never had the chance before, or if you have a lot of gardening experience and would like to share, said Potucek. The Westminster Organic Garden holds a farm stand in the Richer Commons every Thursday at 4:30. All are welcome to either give donations for produce or swap out any surplus from home gardens. Freshman Briony Denker said that she was aware that the garden sells their produce, but is less inclined to purchase any. I have a lot of money on my card and Im not going to pay cash when there is still so much money on my card, she said. Denker said she would love to support the farm stand when she no longer has a meal plan. All of our produce is donation based at the farm stand, Potucek said. She encourages students to purchase produce and added, pay what you can. We want to make it affordable for people think are bees. She also mentioned that, bees wasps and will oftentimes drive wasps away. (we) let them do their job. Campus Patrol has epinephrine pens for those with severe allergies to bees. If anyone knows of any wasp Aside from produce and bees, the garden also offers numerous everyone. Reeder, the campus beekeeper. Reeder has been keeping bees since he was ten years old and is very familiar with the process. He said that bees are crucial to our Freshman Jarom Cook said, I knew (we had a garden), but I dont know where and I dont know whats in it. He said he would be interested in seeing the garden, Its fun to go and see the food you eat and where it comes from. According to Christy Clay, an associate professor of biology and environmental studies, the garden is organic and only uses an insecticidal soap that is considered organic. Clay said, There is more demand for this than just this little garden. Food is something we do three times a day and thats why it's an important piece for us. This year, the garden has introduced a honey beehive on campus. Many students werent aware of the beehive on campus and some have expressed concerns about it. Clay explained that there is a misconception among most people about bees. We have tried to do an educational campaign and, actually, it is normally wasps that out-comp- ete nests, please tell me where it is and I will relocate it, said Cody environment because, Humans may be able to survive without honey, but almost 13 of our food requires bees. pollination by honey volunteering opportunities. The Westminster Organic Garden is always looking for more volunteers, Clay said. It is really the students who make the everyday stuff happen. Along with volunteering in the garden, students can also volunteer with the chicken co-o- p that is part of the garden. There are even cooking classes that are offered using the gardens produce. Reeder has high hopes for the bees on campus and encourages students to, feel free to look into the windows and watch these bees working, they really dont mind. More information op volun- teering and other ways for students to benefit from the garden can be found at vuestm instercollege, edugarden. Students can email Alizabeth Potucek with any further questions at Having bees in the garden actually doesnt increase the density of bees on campus, said Potucek. of Potucek advised that students who are allergic dont get too close to the bees, although they are fairly domesticated and will not hurt anyone unless they are bothered. These bees have been bred for their gentleness and I have been training them not to attack people, said Reeder. Jarom Cook said it will be advantageous to have bees on campus. It depends on if people are trying to aggravate the bees, he said. I think it will be a good thing if they are left alone and Westminster Organic Garden is open to all students and is lookingfor volunteers to help care for it. The |