2018 ASHS Annual Conference

Started in 2012 with one acre on the Delaware Valley University campus farm, the Hope for the Harvest garden uses DelVal land to grow fresh, nutritious food for families who are slipping through the food safety net. It is both an educational tool for students wanting experience in vegetable production, as well as a charitable endeavor supported by numerous donors and volunteers. In its inaugural growing season, the garden produced 35,000 pounds of produce. That has since grown to approximately 50,000 pounds each year, and a second location on the DelVal Roth Farm was added in 2014. Over 250,000 pounds of food have been grown and donated over six seasons. DelVal students who are employed by the Horticulture production unit work side-by-side with community volunteers to provide the labor for the entire growing process from seeding transplants, to caring for the plants in the greenhouse, to tillage and laying plastic, and field planting. If weather permits, some of the initial work is done by the “Commercial Vegetable Production” course during a hands-on lab. Crops grown include peas, corn, peppers, tomatoes, collard greens, kale, watermelons, cantaloupes, potatoes and onions. The garden exposes students to farm work, community service, and the regional web of agencies working on behalf of those in need.

The Bucks County Opportunity Council, a non-profit organization devoted to “reducing poverty and promoting economic self-sufficiency”, coordinates volunteers. Once produce is ready to be picked, another non-profit, Rolling Harvest Food Rescue, also provides volunteers to harvest and pack the produce for transport to Philadelphia for distribution through Philabundance, the Delaware Valley’s leading hunger relief organization. Multiple local food pantries also receive some of the bounty. Sponsored by the United Way, Bucks Knocks Out Hunger is a community-driven hunger fighting project that unites thousands of donors, advocates, and volunteers; produce from the charitable garden is often included in the meals they distribute. In addition, DelVal students and staff have worked with students and residents of Bucks County, PA to provide training and assistance in growing their own food.

As an art and a science, Horticulture has made many contributions to the health and well-being of numerous individuals. The Hope for the Harvest Charitable garden at DelVal not only provides food to the hungry but also functions as a training ground for our students and a bridge to the community.