JSU Community Garden Project:  Lowes Grant

Jackson State University is planning to create a community learning garden and outdoor classroom to teach Blackburn Middle School students how food is grown.  Supported by a collaborative partnership between Blackburn, the College of Education and Human Development and Center for University-based Development, the project has already received a $5000 grant to get the project started.

The Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant will fund the first phase of the project, said Kyle W. Bray, director, Grants/Special Projects and Community Service, College of Education and Human Development.  Lowe’s will also be providing in-kind supplies and volunteers,  The land is not on Blackburn property, but about 50 yards away,  Jackson State donated two open, unused former residential parcels totaling about one-half acre.  

Plans call for 16 raised beds of produce and fruit trees. Blackburn students will be raising food that will be served at the school.  The plots are expected to make a dramatic entrance to JSU from Dalton Street.  It is hoped that the project will serve as a model for K-12.  JSU students can count their time there as service work, and produce can also be provided for the community through a partnership with the University Park Neighborhood Association, Bray said.

Ground-breaking is scheduled for April 26, Earth Day weekend.