The mission of the UNF Ogier Gardens is to create a healthier UNF community through nature contact while growing crops and social connections, demonstrating sustainability and biodiversity, as well as nourishing people with local, fresh, and delicious food. The Ogier Gardens' programs educate about nutrition, as well as the linkages between environmental, mental, and public health. Through the "Healthy Osprey Initiative," Recreation and Wellness champions a healthy lifestyle and improves student retention. The Ogier Gardens embodies this initiative in multiple ways. The Gardens produce organic herbs, vegetables, fruits, sprouts, and mushrooms all year, also exposing the public to uncommon vegetables that are easy to grow and consume. Through a myriad of volunteer opportunities, workshops, and special events, students are introduced to how food is grown from seed to harvest, and they are encouraged to choose nutritious diets composed of organic, local, and seasonal foods. Students can "Adopt-A-Bed," which gives them the opportunity to experiment growing their own food at no additional cost. Produce cultivated by student staff is given away to students and volunteers. Most of the produce grown in the Ogier Gardens is distributed through our on-campus food pantry, the Lend-A-Wing. This addresses student food insecurity by providing fresh produce. Produce is also used for cooking workshops and demonstrations to strengthen our student's healthy life skills. Fall and Spring semester hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9-noon and Wednesday and Friday 1-5 pm. These are the best times to visit the Ogier Gardens. They are in effect when UNF is in session and weather is permitting. No sign-up is necessary, sign-in when you arrive. Volunteers receive free produce! See more details about volunteering on our webpage: https://www.unf.edu/recwell/ogiergardens/index.html
