Students plant sustainable orchard behind the dining hall

The landscaping team at University of Richmond has planted an orchard behind the Heilman Dining Center, and Thursday, Oct. 31, students were welcome to help plant trees.

Joe Wolff, director of catering, said the goal of the project was "to highlight the University of Richmond's commitment to sustainability in a novel way that will catch people's attention, both within the university and the Richmond community."

The idea formed in August during a conversation among Tyler Betzhold, senior catering chef, and other food service managers. "The idea of the orchard seemed like a novel way to expand our sustainable food production without the requirement of a lot of labor," Wolff said.

Kendel Ahnell, president of Greeks Going Green, said the leader of the project was Steve Glass, horticulturist and landscape manager.

Phase one of the project involved planting 10 fruit trees and 13 berry bushes that were chosen for the Richmond climate, Wolff said. These included blueberry bushes and apple and fig trees, Ahnell said.

Many of the students who helped plant the trees Oct. 31 were members of Greek life. Greeks Going Green is a student organization of sorority representatives that promotes sustainability through sorority-related competitions. Greeks Going Green contacted the facilities staff "and asked to help as a way to get students involved with sustainability initiatives on campus," said Celia Landesberg, vice president of Greeks Going Green and a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.

Landesberg said she thought it was great for students to get involved in on-campus projects like this one. "It gives them the chance to gain perspective on campus functions beyond their traditional involvement," she said. Wolff said he also hoped the project would educate the student volunteers and food service staff about how and where food is grown.

The first full harvest will occur in the fall of 2016. Grants, existing budget and volunteer work have funded and propelled the project.

Contact reporter Mary Rossiter at mary.rossiter@richmond.edu