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Over Spring Break, Rutgers students and faculty from the RU Engaged project installed 6 new raised garden beds at Unity Square’s community garden on Suydam Street, helping expand access to fresh, healthy produce for New Brunswick residents. The beds add 120+ sq. ft. of additional planting space that Unity Square can use for growing vegetables and herbs for the local food pantry and for agricultural education.
The project was a collaboration between Unity Square (Catholic Charities, Diocese of Metuchen), several members of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, and the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy, with cooperation from City of New Brunswick departments.
Funding for the RU Engaged project was provided through a Rutgers Equity Alliance for Community Health (REACH) grant.
“The students had a fantastic time in spite of the cold and hauling all those wheelbarrows of soil,” said Angela Johnsen, who helped with project planning and logistics on behalf of the Rutgers Office of Urban Extension and Engagement. “It’s always meaningful to see what can happen when community partners, Rutgers students & faculty, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension come together. By working collaboratively, we’re able to support projects like this that make a real difference in the community.”
Team effort assembling the beds (left). Celebrating the last wheelbarrow of soil and a job well done (right).
RU Engaged students and faculty with the two largest beds.
Unity Square is excited about all this new planting space!
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