University of Massachusetts Amherst
IN-1: Innovation 1

The University of Massachusetts Amherst has taken a pivotal step toward reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and combating global climate change by implementing one of the first permaculture gardens on a public university campus in the country. The scope of this project is considerable; UMass students are responsible for transforming a conventional ¼ acre grass landscape into a highly productive and low maintenance garden using no fossil fuels on-site. This involved layering over 250,000 pounds of organic matter by hand during October and November 2010.

The garden serves as a source of food as well as an educational tool. Not only do student learn how to produce food in this effective and non invasive way, they also learn how to communicate what they have learned to the broader campus community. The Permaculture Garden has several documentary videos and a large web presence. The garden also hold information sessions so the community can learn and see the progress of the garden.

UMass Amherst fully supports and funds this project as it is part of the larger campus-wide Sustainability Initiative. Ryan Harb, a certified permaculture designer, was hired as the Auxiliary Services Sustainability Specialist to design and implement the UMass Permaculture Garden. He is working with the eight passionate and hardworking undergraduate students. Auxiliary Services will feed UMass students with the garden’s fresh, local, soon to be certified organic produce as well as educate the campus as the garden grows.