Danish author Hans Christian Andersen once said that just living is not enough: one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.
Since its foundation in 2012, workers in Project V.E.G.G.I.E.’s garden plot, tucked between Caledonia Avenue and Volunteer Boulevard’s parking garage, have aspired to bring these three things to campus.
Justin Leduc, a senior in public horticulture, plans to redefine the garden’s borders and enhance the site’s aesthetic appeal to attract UT students and the surrounding community.
“There’s a saying that nature untouched by humans is not a garden,” Leduc said. “There’s something about working with natural elements to create a sense of place that is made out of those natural elements rather than things that try to control the natural elements.”
Though no official plans have currently been made to collaborate, Leduc said he feels confident in the support given so far from Gale Fulton, chair of landscape architecture. He explained that a “backbone” with administrative aid would establish a more legitimate voice for Project V.E.G.G.I.E. on campus.
“It’s important for the outer border because we want (it to) look like we belong on the university property,” Leduc said. “It’s kind of the main idea of this project — looking like we fit in and having a pleasant view for the neighbors who live across the street.”
Native muscadines, a relative of the grape plant, have already been placed along the garden’s edge as part of a small “facelift.”
Adding these, Leduc said, is only one step in redefining Project V.E.G.G.I.E.’s borders so they comply with university specifications. Some of Leduc’s plans include scaling back ground coverage and focusing instead on effective use of the smaller plot of land.
“Some of the muscadines die, so I’m thinking of minimizing because the more space we have, the more work needs to be done to keep it up,” he said. “So, what I’m trying to do is bring it back, to manage space more effectively.”
For the time being, Leduc’s plans are just sketches on pad and paper. A recent grant from reVOLve , however, could aid in the process of implementation. This grant draws funds formed by a partnership between the Center of Leadership and Service, the Office of Sustainability and UT Recycling.
Jessica Blanford, assistant director for CLS, said the ReVOLve money aligns itself with Project V.E.G.G.I.E.’s commitment to environmental awareness and sustainable living.
By collecting unwanted clothes, electronics and other items from UT’s residence halls in May, reVOLve’s “In and Out” Program provided the funds for Leduc’s grant, making this transfer “sustainable from start to finish.”
Between previous volunteer work via Ignite Serves and Project V.E.G.G.I.E.’s growing status as an organization, Blanford said the committee recognized the proposal’s goal as one that invites greater student participation.
“(The garden) is something that can be sustainable for years to come and so this money is to kind of continue to help (V.E.G.G.I.E.) get off the ground,” Blanford said. “But we know that there is dedication from (Leduc) and other students to keep it going that would keep building capacity for this garden.”
Blanford said CLS anticipates on sending more volunteers to Project V.E.G.G.I.E.’s garden for April’s “Sustainability Day of Service.”
Once a budget and master list of supplies are finalized, Leduc’s work is expected to begin in February or March of next year.
Besides filling a three hour practicum, Leduc said he aspires for Project V.E.G.G.I.E. to highlight fresh opportunities for educating students on where exactly their food comes from.
“We really want to attain more of a public garden status because it’s about people-plant relationships,” he said. “I don’t know if we have the infrastructure in place to provide food to all students on campus, but it is about the experience, skills they can use, stress relief and aesthetics and people enjoying being there.”
For updates on Project V.E.G.G.I.E., visit and like the Facebook page or contact Neil Brown at [email protected].
