The Edible Campus campaign is working to support the construction of on-campus gardens and other edible plantings. Our first project is focused on the East Campus Grove, the working title of a garden planned for the empty lot adjacent to the Center for the Advancement of Sustainable Living (CASL) on 18th and Moss. The project is a collaboration with CASL, Slow Food Eugene, the Sustainability Center, and the Residence Hall Assocation.

The goals of the East Campus Grove are:
1. Demonstrate low-impact lifestyle choices and edible gardening practices to local
community, students, and visitors.
2. Offer experiential learning opportunities through for-credit coursework, work-
parties, workshops, and tours held at the grounds.
3. Minimize non-renewable energy consumption through the use of water
catchment and grey-water reuse for irrigation.
4. Maximize efficiency through composting and other practices of on-site reuse.
5. Demonstrate how low-environmental impact can intersect with an aesthetically
pleasing landscape and economic affordability.

We are currently drafting a proposal showing a comprehensive outline of the project along with full campus and community support for an ASUO Over-realized Fund grant to purchase building materials, tools, seeds, etc. We need your help with gathering student, faculty, administration, and community support for the project, grant writing, planning garden logistics, and more!

After contributing to the launch of the East Campus Grove, we will be turning our efforts to greater horizons (yet to be determined) toward making an edible University of Oregon campus. Current ideas include orchards, fruit bushes, herb gardens, community gardens, interpretive signs related to native plants, etc… We would love to hear your ideas!

If you’re interested in joining the campaign or learning more, contact campaign coordinators Kelsey Ward (kelsey.j.ward@gmail.com) or Matthew Nelson (mnelson@uoregon.edu).