The Kapio Newspress

Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy of Joshua Moore Before work on the garden commenced, the garden was home to weeds.

This semester, the garden behind the `Ohelo building will be overhauled in order for new plants to be grown.

According to Josh Moore, garden manager, he volunteered at a student forum to maintain the garden.

"Ron Takahashi, who is the department chair for the culinary program, asked at a meeting if anyone wanted to help out with the garden, so I was interested," said Moore.

According to Ron Takahashi, associate professor and department chair of culinary arts, planting began last year; however, the person who was previously in charge of the garden could not maintain it. The garden has been filling up with weeds ever since.

Takahashi said that the funding for the garden is external.

"We have a USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) grant, which provides for the garden," he said.

Moore said the garden will promote fresh food in the kitchens on campus and for culinary classes so students can cook and learn about them.

In addition, Takahashi said the purpose of the garden is to serve as a model for other schools and restaurants.

"It's a sustainable agriculture model garden for schools and restaurants. We'll show techniques and methodology," said Takahashi. "It's not a farmer community. We'll use high-cost and high-end products to use in the restaurants."

Moore plans to keep following and keeping in touch with the culinary teachers to check what they need.

"I'll ask them what they need. We're going to have a lot of herbs. We'll have a box of herbs and we'll grow some green vegetables like green onions to cook with," he said.

Moore, who is also in the Slow Foods Club, said they will be doing most of the maintenance for the garden.

While the gardeners will be primarily Slow Foods Club members and those in the culinary program, Moore said volunteers are also welcomed to help out with the garden.

"I encourage others to come out, even if they're not in culinary," he said. "There's some stuff we need to get done still. We have to take out all of the old stuff, like any old vegetables and plants. There's a bunch of weeds we have to get rid of too."

Students can come to campus on Saturday and Sunday mornings from 7:30 a.m. to noon to help out.

While some tools will already be provided, Moore recommends that if you have any additional tools and gloves, then you should bring them along.

"We have a few tools, but you can bring yours if you want. Also, bring water and sunscreen," said Moore.

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