Raised Beds

The brainstorming is finally becoming a reality on Rhoden farm as students and faculty are hard at work on the raised bed garden project. Teaching students about appropriate agriculture for a developing country is a primary motivation for development of the raised bed gardens where research, demonstration and lab experiences will occur.

The A&E department started discussing the raised bed project in the fall of 2009 and just started constructionlast year. Dr. Nicodemus, assistant professor of environmental science, brings his Plant Science students to work on the garden 5-6 times each semester.

 “These concepts are learned so much better by doing them, rather than just talking about them,” Nicodemus said.

Many of the students such as Emily Adams, sophomore environmental science major from Blue Ridge, Va., are passionate about this project and have high hopes for the effects it will have on ACU.

“This raised bed project is going to change ACU,” said Adams.  “We want to include all the different departments like Biology, Bible and Chemistry.”

Adams and other students aspire to use their A&E degree to equip them for the mission field.  This concept of “holistic” missions is about feeding people and teaching sustainability.

“It’s hard to hear God on an empty stomach,” said Lina Deitman, freshman agribusiness major from Nunnelly, Tenn.

The raised bed garden project works in conjunction with the water catchment project and newly built compost bins.  Dr. Nicodemus says there is never a lack of anything to do on the farm, and is hoping to plant potatoes and onions as soon as this week, that they may be harvested before the spring semester ends.

Erika Carley, sophomore agribusiness major from Auburn, Calif. and Mandy Wilson, junior animal science major from Walsenburg, Colo., two students who have been involved with the planning of this project since their freshman year, are excited to start seeing results of their labor.

“This project has been a terrific experience filled with so many new experiences,” Wilson said. “There is something humbling about having a hand in the creation of something so much bigger than you.”