TAMIU Service-Learning Center Holds Community Garden Harvest Pick-Up

Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) Service-Learning Center staff members handed out 50 bags of vegetables harvested from the TAMIU Community  Garden to University students, faculty, staff members, and  the general public Friday.

The vegetable bags were initially planted by students enrolled in the University’s first-year Signature Course, “Climate Change and Sustainability.” After the transition to a virtual learning environment, Service-Learning Center staff members have been caring for the Garden and harvesting the vegetables. The vegetable bags contained a mixture of cucumber, tomato, zucchini, eggplant and Swiss chard.

The harvest was held behind the University’s Kinesiology, Wellness and Recreation Center.  It was made available to the first 50 individuals who RSVP’d via email to the Service-Learning Center.

TAMIU’s Community Garden was established in 2016 and has served as a source of locally farmed produce for University students residing on campus. Recently, the Service-Learning Center donated Community Garden, along with Dr. Hayley Kazen, University College faculty member, donated over 30 bags of zucchini, cucumber and fruit to the University’s Housing and Residence Life communities.

The Community Garden is currently accepting donations. Donations to the Community Garden can be made at https://www.tamiu.edu/engagement/slc/tamiu-community-garden.shtml.

Additionally, the Service-Learning Center hopes to create a Community Garden Council that will be made up of volunteers interested in learning more about sustainability and food production issues through a living, learning environment, explained TAMIU’s Dr. Marcela Uribe, Service-Learning Center director.

“Individuals interested in becoming part of the Council will be able to take care of the Garden, help organize community events, learn more about growing their own food, and offer support to future service-learning courses that might participate in the Garden,” explained Dr. Uribe.

While the project has been put on hold temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Uribe hopes to re-open the Garden Council project in the near future. For more information on the Garden Council, visit https://www.tamiu.edu/engagement/slc/tamiu-garden-council.shtml

For more information on the Service-Learning Center, contact Uribe via email at marcela.urbie@tamiu.edu. Follow them on social media at www.facebook.com/txamiu.servicelearning and https://www.instagram.com/txamiu.servicelearning/

TAMIU registration for Summer and Fall semesters is currently underway online through Uconnect. For additional information on registration, contact the Office of the Registrar via phone at 956.326.2250, email registrar@tamiu.eduor visit their website at https://www.tamiu.edu/registrar/

As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TAMIU’s campus is closed to the general public. Online and virtual services at the University continue, practicing all CDC Guidelines on gathering and social distancing and with most staff working remotely.  Office hours are subject to change and it is recommended that phone or email contact be made first to determine the office’s schedule of operation. Entry to campus is only open to students, faculty, staff and those having legitimate reasons to be on campus.  An online directory is here.

The University’s dedicated COVID-19 website is updated daily and includes information on office schedules and services, an expansive FAQ, quick links, student resources, official information links and much more.

See an Extended  Photo Gallery of  the TAMIU Community Garden's Harvest Pick Up here.